Waking up in the night hot and in a sweat is one of the most unpleasant feelings. These waves of intense heat can interrupt a good night's sleep and leave you feeling sluggish the next day. So understanding what could be causing your night sweats is the first step to treating them.
Below we've listed some of the most common causes of night sweats. It's important to note, though, that your night sweats might be caused by the hot climate you're in, too many blankets or even a mattress that retains your body heat. If that's not the case, one of these seven causes might explain why you're experiencing night sweats.
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1. Menopause
Essentially, your night sweats could be night hot flashes. MedicineNet explains that women who are in the perimenopausal state often experience hot flashes, which can occur in the middle of the night, waking you in a hot sweat.
Essentially, your night sweats could be night hot flashes. MedicineNet explains that women who are in the perimenopausal state often experience hot flashes, which can occur in the middle of the night, waking you in a hot sweat.
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2. Medications
Some medications might be causing you to wake up in a sweat. WebMD explains that certain antidepressants, psychiatric drugs and even aspirin can cause night sweats. Talk to your doctor about the medication you take to see if it could be causing your night-sweat symptoms.
Some medications might be causing you to wake up in a sweat. WebMD explains that certain antidepressants, psychiatric drugs and even aspirin can cause night sweats. Talk to your doctor about the medication you take to see if it could be causing your night-sweat symptoms.
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3. Cancer
Night sweats can be an early symptom of cancers like lymphoma. WebMD says other symptoms that usually accompany cancer-caused night sweats are unexplained weight loss and fever.
Night sweats can be an early symptom of cancers like lymphoma. WebMD says other symptoms that usually accompany cancer-caused night sweats are unexplained weight loss and fever.
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4. Infection
MedicineNet says an infection like tuberculosis, an abscess, endocarditis (inflamed heart valves) or osteomyelitis (inflammation in the bones) can cause night sweats. Other serious infections, such as AIDS, can also cause night sweats.
MedicineNet says an infection like tuberculosis, an abscess, endocarditis (inflamed heart valves) or osteomyelitis (inflammation in the bones) can cause night sweats. Other serious infections, such as AIDS, can also cause night sweats.
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5. Anxiety
Stress and anxiety could be causing your body to sweat in the night. The Mayo Clinic says other symptoms of anxiety include nervousness, tension and sleep trouble.
Stress and anxiety could be causing your body to sweat in the night. The Mayo Clinic says other symptoms of anxiety include nervousness, tension and sleep trouble.
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6. Sleep disorders
Destructive sleep apnea or another sleep disorder could be causing your night sweats. Other symptoms that can accompany destructive sleep disorder include waking abruptly to gasping or choking, daytime sleepiness and high blood pressure, among others.
Destructive sleep apnea or another sleep disorder could be causing your night sweats. Other symptoms that can accompany destructive sleep disorder include waking abruptly to gasping or choking, daytime sleepiness and high blood pressure, among others.
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7. Hypoglycemia
Low blood sugar levels can cause sweating, according to MedicineNet. People with diabetes might experience night sweats due to hypoglycemia at night.
Low blood sugar levels can cause sweating, according to MedicineNet. People with diabetes might experience night sweats due to hypoglycemia at night.