When you go to bed and your house is too warm, you can wake up sweating in the morning or throughout the night. But what if the temperature in your house is not the cause?
You should keep track of when night sweats occur and what changes in your life may coincide with the episodes.
Night sweats are episodes of sweating that cause your nightclothes and sheets to be soaked. Underlying causes of night sweats are important to know to determine when you should be concerned.
What causes night sweats?
Jaren Thomas, M.D., a Marshfield Clinic internal medicine provider, says there are a number of reasons why night sweats occur.
“People often think of menopause in women, which is very common,” Dr. Thomas said. “But there is a list of over 20 causes or reasons for night sweats.”
Although too many blankets and high room temperatures can trigger night sweats, medical reasons may be the culprits. Several medications can cause night sweats including those taken for depression, diabetes and blood pressure. Additionally, drugs known as NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, are common medications that can cause night sweats.
Substances such as alcohol and withdrawals from opioids and alcohol also can lead to night sweats.
“Night sweats are not only caused by medication,” Dr. Thomas said. “Other factors include low blood sugar, thyroid issues, sleep apnea, acid reflux, certain foods, infection, and unfortunately, some forms of cancer.”
When should you be concerned?
Often, there is no serious underlying health condition when night sweats occur. However, you should keep track of when night sweats occur and what changes in your life may coincide with the episodes.
“I think one important thing to note is if the night sweats are happening every night or once in a while,” Dr. Thomas said. “Also, ask yourself if they are happening during the day, too.”
Late night eating could be a factor
Consider what you had to eat or drink before bed and if you have started a new medication recently. Dr. Thomas said no set period of time or certain frequency makes night sweats more concerning.
“However, if they have been consistent for weeks, talk to your doctor,” he said.
Are other symptoms occurring with the night sweats?
“Some things to look out for are new headaches, flushing or GI symptoms,” Dr. Thomas said. “Also determine if you are more tired, if you’ve had weight loss and if the sweats are affecting your daily life.”
Dr. Thomas said unintentional weight loss and fevers are concerning.
If the night sweats persist for a few weeks, are severe or come with other symptoms, talk to your doctor.
For questions about night sweats, talk to a Marshfield Clinic Health System provider.
Schedule appointment Message your provider
I am 82 years old I have nightly heavy nightly sweats I am taking armor thyroid 45 mg I have been taking this medication for the last 30 years
My sweats started 3 months ago I do take supplements no changes in the last 3 months
thanks
Is it common to have night sweats in one area, specifically the legs? More asking generally if that is a common presentation.
Hi Amy, Localized sweating is not a common presentation of night sweats, but does happen. Usually a provider would conduct a general exam of the area for nerve function, circulation, lymph node changes, etc. Unfortunately with localized sweating sometimes, if not often, nothing is found. Thanks, Jordan
I started taking Diclofenac just over a month ago. I have also been taking Lexapro for several months. In the last couple weeks I have noticed in the middle on the night I wake up because I have soaked the bed. I new both drugs possibly could be the reason. Should I stop Diclofenac and see what happens at night?
Thank you.
Hi Vanessa,
Thank you for reaching out to us. Unfortunately, we cannot provide medical advice on this platform. We encourage you to make an appointment with your primary care provider or contact a local pharmacy to discuss side effects of your medication. As Dr. Thomas stated, if your night sweats persist for week, please talk to your doctor. – Kayla
In the past several weeks (I had covid for 6 weeks, but recovered a few weeks ago) if I take an analgesic (it could be right before bed or even a couple of hours before bedtime) I get night sweats. One night, having not taken an analgesic, I slept dry, but when I woke up in the night with pain I took an analgesic, went back to sleep, and had a night sweat. I hadn't taken any more for over a week, and been sweat-free. But last night I took a naproxen and lo and behold, had night sweats again. Even when I change my pj top, that one ends up wet too. So this just goes on thru the night. There is no doubt in my mind that analgesics cause the night sweats. But I don't know what the original cause of this was. I guess the covid. I never had night sweats in my life, other than with high fevers. (I am 68). The analgesics are tylenol and naproxen. I haven't taken any aspirin or ibuprofen lately, but I imagine it would be the same story.
Acetaminophen, also called Tylenol (brand name), is NOT a Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug or NSAID. Acetaminophen is strictly an antipyretic and analgesic medication. It has no anti inflammatory properties, in that it does not suppress or affect the prostaglandin systems that salicylates or drugs such as ibuprofen or diclofenac do. Similarly, it does affect platelet function or production. Please correct your statements.
Error in editing. Correction: Acetaminophen does NOT affect platelets but NSAIDS do.
Hello and thank you for reaching out,
We apologize for the incorrect information that was cited in the article. The error has been corrected.
Thank you,
Jake
I have had night sweats 2 nights in a row. Not waking up soaked just perspiration on my back. Took Benadryl 3 nights in a row to help sleep. Is this cause for concern?
Hi Bill,
Often, there is no serious underlying health condition when night sweats occur. However, you should keep track of when night sweats occur and what changes in your life may coincide with the episodes. If the night sweats persist for a few weeks, are severe or come with other symptoms, we recommend talking to your doctor.
Thanks,
Jake
I came here after googling “why does benadryl give me night sweats”, if this eases your mind at all. I’ve been taking a small dose of it to sleep the past few nights and I’ve had night sweats every night, only after I’ve taken it. So I think it’s at least possible that could be the culprit. If you stop the Benadryl and the night sweats stop that would be very telling.
My daughter is 15 and she has been taking tylenol almost every night and is having night sweats, she recently lost 6 lbs of weight in a span of 6 days. Is this something that should concern me
Hi Bob,
In the article, Dr. Thomas notes that unintentional weight loss is concerning. We recommend talking to your daughter's doctor.
If you are a Marshfield Clinic patient, you can message your provider directly through My Marshfield Clinic: https://www.marshfieldclinic.org/mymarshfieldclinic
Thanks,
Jake
29yr old female.
I have night sweats one night a month for the past 4 months.(so 4 times) Is this something I should worry about? Other than a hernia I am unaware of any other ailments nor have any weightless or fatigue.
Hi I'm having increased hot flashes from taking ibuprofen and tylenol for another medical issue. Any suggestions of a pain reliever that doesn't increase hot flashes?
Hi Kelli,
Thank you for reaching out to us. Unfortunately, we cannot provide medical advice on this platform. We recommend talking to your health care provider. They can best answer your questions, because they know your past health history and medical conditions.
Thanks
–Jake
Hi, I am a 36 yo woman who has been suffering from night sweats for over 2 years. I have been treated twice surgically for endometriosis, for which I now take Loestrin 30 continuously to keep it at bay; six monthly breaks show my menses to still be of normal flow and duration; further discomfort led to imaging which showed a lesion around 1cm in diameter was found in the dura mater at T12. This has not been deemed a large enough target for surgery as of yet but could the presence of the (very slow growing) lesion be the source of my now several times nightly night sweats? And fatigue that can lay me out for days at a time? I literally cannot sleep in the same bed in one night, I have to swap clothes, blankets and bed eventually every night, no matter how cool the room… blood tests came up mostly normal again and again, with slightly raised inflammatory markers and barely elevated basophil count.
As they have progressed to this point I now have headaches and odd sensations in my ears, a feeling like invisible glasses almost constantly on my nose and a strong metallic taste in my mouth.
I’m sure my doctor just sounds exasperated when I call for help because they can’t find what’s wrong and I’m sure they think I’m mental but all this definitely isn’t normal and I can’t live my life
Hi, Reed. I wish we could help. Unfortunately, our blog is intended for educational purposes only; not for diagnosis or recommendations on treatment.
Have you specifically asked your doctor or care team whether your night sweats and fatigue could be related to your lesion? Your doctor and care team truly are your best resources for these questions as they have on hand your entire medical history, current conditions and medications – all of which can impact the answers and recommendations they give you.
If you are a Marshfield Clinic Health System patient, you can directly contact your care team via MyMarshfield Clinic through secure messaging: http://marshfieldclinic.org/mymarshfieldclinic.
Best wishes,
Kirstie
I wish they would help but they have only really put me on various different painkillers all this time and seem loathe to do anything beyond the first lines of investigation. I ask each medical profession and they all shrug and say, “maybe?”. My fear is that my diagnosis will never come… Are there any competent medical sleuths that you can recommend?? There must be someone who actively enjoys working these things out!
Hi, Reed. I contacted one of our internal medicine providers to get his input.
He said, "Often setting an appointment with your doctor to go through the multiple causes of symptoms like these (like going through a checklist) is not a bad idea. Otherwise, you might consider an endocrinologist or hematologist to see if any other hormone or underlying blood issues could cause these problems."
If you're in the area, you can find these specialists here:
Endocrinologists: https://www.marshfieldclinic.org/doctors/search/?k=%22endocrinology%22
Hematologists: https://marshfieldclinic.org/doctors/search/?k=%22Oncology/Hematology%22
-Kirstie
Thanks for your reply
I have been having similar symptoms for weeks now. Waiting on blood results. 35 yr old Male- otherwise healthy. Do u think sleep apnea is playing a role?
I had similar challenges, for me the night sweats were caused by biofilms and parasites. I was feeling them magnesium too thinking that would help me sleep, but it fed them so they had a sweat party every night. Once I dealt with the biofilms, the fogginess went away as well as the other symptoms.
Reed, I am just a woman with night sweats trying to figure out why they have gotten to be unbearable. I am like you – up a million times a night, sleeping with a fan directly on my body, washing sheets and bedclothes constantly. I do not have the medical issues you have, however, and I am not having the metallic taste in my mouth. No offense to your current medical team, but sometimes a second opinion from whole new doctor can help.
I am waking every night for the last 4 to 5 weeks also been having sweatts in the day time my haie started fallibg out a few years ago and also have erectile dysfunction could these symtons be connected
Hi, Christopher. Thank you for reaching out.
We don't know enough about your medical history, conditions or current medications to provide you an accurate response. Your doctor does. It's important to bring these concerns to your primary care provider who can connect the dots for you and answer the questions you have.
In the meantime, you may find these articles resourceful:
https://shine365.marshfieldclinic.org/wellness/erectile-dysfunction-and-heart-disease/
https://shine365.marshfieldclinic.org/heart-care/heart-healthy-enough-for-sex/
https://shine365.marshfieldclinic.org/wellness/hair-loss-causes-and-cures/
Best wishes. -Kirstie
I am a 58 year old female with several medical issues. I am on several medications for heart and thyroid disorders. I wake up completely drenched at night and just recently I wake up gagging from burning nausea. Is this something to be concerned about.
Hi, Janet. Have you shared these symptoms with your doctor or called a nurse line? They are better able to understand your full medical history, current conditions and medications – all of which helps them determine whether your symptoms are cause for concerns.
If you're not certain whether you need to seek immediate help, you can try Security Health Plan's 24-hour Nurse Line: 1-800-549-3174, or (if you're a Marshfield Clinic Health System patient), you can message your care team directly through MyMarshfield Clinic: marshfieldclinic.org/mymarshfieldclinic
Best wishes. -Kirstie
Hello, I’ve been using magnesium all over my body at night but for the last 3 nights I’ve been Having night sweets. Could it be the magnesium? I’ve only used it for 4 days.
Hi, Lori.
Here is some information about the side effects of magnesium: https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-998/magnesium
If you're experiencing concerning symptoms, it's important to contact your doctor who knows your medical history, medications and current conditions best. He or she is better able to tell you whether the magnesium is causing night sweats.
-Kirstie
Thank you for your response!
My pleasure! Best of luck. -Kirstie
is it gone, and if yes, when after quitting magnesium ?
I stopped using it.. it was drying my skin too much as well. Night sweats went away.
but after after how many time (days/weeks) sweating went away ??? thanks
I used magnesium for a week and stopped.. night sweats stopped as soon as I stopped it. Began taking magnesium supplements 2 months now, but now For a couple of weeks I’m experiencing restless legs at night.
I just submitted a post. I forgot to mention the medications I take: lisinopril and levothyroxine. I do not know if they could cause sweating at night…
Hi, Anna – Have you re-shared your concerns with your doctor?
WebMD shares side effects of lisinopril and levothyroxine. For levothyroxine oral, the site states, "Tell your doctor right away if any of these unlikely but serious effects of high thyroid hormone levels occur: increased sweating, sensitivity to heat…" Source: https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-1433/levothyroxine-oral/details
Your doctor is your best resource for these conversations. Our site is for educational purposes only; we cannot give individualized medical advice on our blog.
I hope this helps, and thank you for reading Shine365. -Kirstie
I have spoken with my doctor (GP) and he scheduled blood work (I don't know which tests). Lab work came back normal. I lost my job the end of September 2018. This was devastating. About a month later I was impacted by a traumatic natural disaster (the destruction of Paradise, CA). It is now the middle of January. I am looking for a job, have not found the right one yet, and am seriously thinking of going the self-employed route. So this is the background stuff. It as been a rather difficult past 3 – 4 months, but I am getting through it. This is the situation: I have been waking up nearly every night/early morning since early October sweating. (I am 67. This is not menopause.) It is not heavy sweating, but it is very uncomfortable and wakes me up. I then have trouble returning to sleep. Indoor temp is 68 degrees F, I have removed blankets, and slept with the window open (this is Michigan – it is cold outside). It could be related to the emotional upheaval over the past several months, but to me it doesn't seem like this is it. I have experienced extreme work-related stress over the past several years (administrative position) and have never experienced night-time sweating. Any ideas? Or maybe I have just entered the sweating phase of my life…
can benadryl cause night sweats
Hi, Roselyn.
WebMD shares a list of Benadryl side effects: https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-5680/benadryl-oral/details/list-sideeffects. Chronic trouble sleeping and excessive sweating are listed.
-Kirstie
I am post menopausal and have been suffering from night sweats for nine years. I occasionally take nsaids for back pain experienced when lying down at night. Could this make my night sweats worse?
Hi Sandy,
Thank you for reading Shine365 and thank you for reaching out. We recommend talking to your health care provider about this – they can answer your questions the best, because they know your health history.
–Jake
I’ve recently had night sweats right after I got better from my fever and while I had a mild cough. I did take some Tylenol before I went to sleep. This is the first time I have ever experienced this. Could this be due to the medication or should I be concerned?
Hi, Sam. Yes, as the story says, Tylenol may cause night sweats. "Additionally, drugs known as NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, naproxen and acetaminophen (Tylenol), are common medications that can cause night sweats."
As always, if you're concerned with symptoms you're experiencing – especially if they continue – we encourage you to contact your care team. They can give you the most accurate answers based on your medical history, medications and current conditions.
I hope this helps.
-Kirstie
Acetaminophen is not an NSAID.
Why do you keep referring to Tylenol as an NSAID? Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is NOT an NSAID!
I've been taking naproxen and nurophen and everytime I take them I have night sweats .
If i have the unexplained weightloss, sudden gi issues, headaches, night sweats every night, extreme exhaustion, and right arm numbness….and ive been to an oncologist/hematologist and ALL of my blood tests came back normal except for my vitamin d level (low) and immunoglobulin level (elevated). Other than that i was told there is nothing wrong and i was perfectly healthy. Now i know i should get a second opinion. But is it possible there just simply could be nothing wrong? Side note: i am a 28yr old female.
Hi, Megan. I shared your comment with Dr. Thomas.
He said, "This is a tough and complicated one. Could this be nothing, absolutely. The body is an amazing thing and often works us over. It is good that an oncologist believes nothing is going on. It may have to be looked at from a GI or OB/GYN perspective as well. Starting with your primary care doctor for further direction would be a good start. A second opinion is never a bad idea if you feel uncomfortable with the result, but I always caution that nothing could be the result again. Hope that helps."
If you are looking for a second opinion, you can start your search for a doctor who fits your needs here: https://www.marshfieldclinic.org/doctors
Best of luck. -Kirstie
I have night sweats probably once a week I take the medication oxycodone 30 mg everyday for paying for a car wreck accident I was diagnosed with Hepatitis C and was treated with the medication harvoni but what I'm asking about right now is my night sweats could these things be why I'm having night sweats
Hi, Mesh. This question truly is best for your doctor who knows your medical history and current conditions. As Dr. Thomas said, "there is a list of over 20 causes or reasons for night sweats.”
Are you a Marshfield Clinic Health System patient? If so, you can message your care team on My Marshfield Clinic: http://marshfieldclinic.org/mymarshfieldclinic, or ask about your night sweats at your next regular appointment.
-Kirstie
I’ve had night sweat twice in the last two months. I’m nearing 40 and both the times it occurred close to my periods time. Shd I consult a doctor right away.
Maha – I shared your question with Dr. Thomas. We don’t know enough about your current conditions or medical history and cannot give individualized medical advice. However, we do know in general that night sweats can signal early menopause in some women, but can also be related to several other conditions like anxiety or stress, acid levels, or medications you are taking.
More severe causes tend to be more frequent than twice per month, but if it is new or causing concern discussing with your doctor now or at an upcoming appointment is a good idea.
Thank you for reading Shine365. -Kirstie
Thank u kristie. I have no medical issues and not under any medication. I’ll consider ur suggestion to meet a doctor. I have no health issues at all not even BP or sugar or even frequent cough and cold. I may catch cold once a year max.