Excessive Sweating While Sleeping

Excessive sweating while sleeping - also known as night sweats - is a common problem in society affecting a lot of people. The result; a heavily perspiring body, a damp and moist bed, frequent changing of sheets, and clothes. Commonly referred to as sleep 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?

Sleep Hyperhidrosis: A rare condition characterized by an illness, hyperhidrosis or causes the sweat glands in 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 worsen it.

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

Medication: Certain drugs can react with the body's natural chemistry and cause night sweats. The main types of medication that cause excessive sweating are antidepressants 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, which result 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. While some of the causes overlap, there can be a whole set of different reasons for night sweats in men, distinct from those seen in women.

Infection: Though it is quite rare, a case of 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 Factors: Diseases that result in night sweats also include diabetes and epilepsy. However, one of the most common reasons for night sweats is a toasty sleeping environment! There are several ways to stop excessive sweating; simple things like removing a blanket, or using the fan or AC, etc. Most of the time, these and other simple measure can cure night sweats. However, if these steps do not get rid of your night sweats, chances of a medical problem cannot be ignored. If that is the case with you, then solving the problem of night sweats may not be 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. Cutting back on stress, and taking up certain stress-relieving practices, like light exercise or meditation have been cited to relieve night sweats. Most doctors advice antiperspirants, botox injections and the iontophoresis therapy as the cure. However, in certain severe cases surgery is also advised.