Excessive Sweating While Sleeping

Excessive sweating while sleeping also known as night sweats is a common problem in society affecting a variety of people. The result; heavily perspiring body, a damp and moist bed, frequent changing of sheets and even the night clothes. Commonly referred to as hyperhidrosis, this type of sleep disorder causes repeated disruption of normal sleep cycles. While it might be the result of an underlying health problem, excessive sweating while sleeping can also be caused by environmental factors like sleeping in a room that is too hot. Here are the causes of excessive sweating while sleeping.

What Causes Excessive Sweating While Sleeping?

Hyperhidrosis: A rare condition characterized by an illness, hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating causes the sweat glands in one or more areas of the body to become overactive. It is believed that nearly 2% - 3% of Americans suffer from excessive sweating of the underarms, also known as axillary hyperhidrosis or of the palms and soles of the feet (palmoplantar hyperhidrosis). Although the problem is persistent all the time, stress and anxiety may make it worse.

Cancer: Excessive sweating while sleeping might also indicate certain cancers like lymphoma, the cancer of the lymphocytes. If this phase of excessive sweating is accompanied by unexplained weight loss and fever it is advisable to consult a physician to rule out the possibility of cancer.

Certain Medications: Certain drugs can react with the body's natural chemistry and create the problem of night sweating. The main types of medication that cause excessive sweating are anti-depressants and psychiatric drugs. Other drugs that have been associated with night sweats include Acetaminophen, birth control pills, Cortisone, Niacin and Nitroglycerin.

Menopause: Menopause causes hot flashes during the night which results in sweating at night. Other hormonal changes may also cause excessive sweating in menopausal and pre-menopausal women.

Hormone Disorders: Certain hormonal disorders like carcinoid syndrome and hyper thyroidism may also cause hot flashes and excessive sweating.

Anxiety/Pressure: In men, the situations that result in stress and anxiety can lead to excessive sweating. Read more on night sweats in men.

Infection: Though it is quite rare but the causes of night sweat that includes the tuberculosis infection, may also cause inflammation that can trigger night sweats. In addition to this infections of the heart valves and bones or an HIV infection may also result in excessive sweating while sleeping.

Neurological Problems: Dysreflexia, post-traumatic syringomyelia, stroke and other neurological problems can also cause an excessive night sweating problem.

Other diseases that result in night sweats include diabetes and epilepsy. However, one of the most common reasons for night sweats is a toasty sleeping environment. You can easily prevent night sweats by removing a blanket or using a fan. Read more on how to stop excessive sweating.

Solving the problem of night sweats is not simple. To treat this disorder effectively one has to find out the actual cause behind the excessive sweating. It is only after proper diagnosis that the root cause can be found and effective treatment introduced. It is believed that cutting back on stress and stress-relief practices like light exercise or meditation have also been cited to relieve night sweats. However, if the frequency of the excessive sweating while sleeping is too much for you to handle then experts recommend scheduling an appointment with your general practitioner to diagnose the problem. Most doctors advice antiperspirants, botox injections and the iontophoresis therapy for the cure. However, in certain severe cases surgery is also advised.