Sweating at Night

Perspiration is required by human beings for the regulation of body temperature. However, excess sweating at night is considered as unnatural and abnormal. Excessive sweating (during day or nighttime) is known as hyperhidrosis; and night sweating is related to it. It is a rare medical disorder and can be found in people of all age groups. People suffering from it perspire so profusely that they usually wet their nightclothes and bedding. This occurs even when in favorable temperature conditions.

Causes of Night Sweats
There are several minor as well as serious causes of excessive sweating. Most of the time, it is caused as a side effect of certain medications. On the other hand, any illness causing fever, nightmares, sleep disorders like sleep apnea or insomnia, excess stress, anxiety and depression are also the causes of sweating during sleep at night. Apart from these, rare causes include genetic factors, menopause (in women), hyperthyroidism, tumors, tuberculosis or even stroke. In case of stroke, one should specifically look out for other symptoms like chest pain and shortness of breath. Hypoglycemia, or sudden lowering of glucose sugar is also a prominent cause of sweating at night; which is more commonly seen in diabetic patients.

Treatment
Most of the time, wearing synthetic or polyester nightclothes can also cause night sweats without people realizing it. Therefore, it is always advised to wear 100% cotton nightclothes and bed sheets. On the other hand, you should keep a bottle of water at the bedside which helps in keeping the body hydrated. Secondly, one should adjust the room temperature and maintain air circulation. On the other hand, it has also be observed that certain foods like cool milk, or buttermilk; vegetables like cucumbers, tofu, or salads in mayonnaise can also help in reducing this disorder, as they have a cooling effect.

When women experience sweating while sleeping due to menopause, she should seek the advice of a medical professional as early as possible. He might suggest you some hormone replacement therapy or some natural remedies. On the other hand, if night sweats persist for a longer time, you should consult the doctor as he will be able to diagnose other underlying serious condition. If any other disorder is diagnosed, the treatment varies according to it.

As a preventive measure, people should adopt stress management methods and try to curb anxiety and disquiet. Excessive sweating at night is quite common and many people experience it sometime in their lives. If experienced only for a couple of times, it is definitely not a matter of concern!