When you go to bed and your house is too warm, you can wake up with night sweats in the morning. But what if the temperature in your house is not the cause?
Night sweats are episodes of sweating that cause your nightclothes and sheets to be soaked. Underlying causes are important to know to determine when you should be concerned.
What causes night sweats?
Matthew Stoflet, M.D., a Marshfield Clinic Health System internal medicine physician, says there are a number of reasons why night sweats occur.
“People often think of menopause in women, which is very common,” Dr. Stoflet 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.
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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. Stoflet 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 each event occurs 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. Stoflet said. “Also, ask yourself if they are happening during the day, too.”
Cold sweats at night
If you are sweating at night, but feel cold, you are experiencing diaphoresis. This is often a sign of stress, infection or shock.
Cold sweats caused by stress are the most common way to experience diaphoresis. It often happens after a fight-or-flight response to a fear, phobia or anxiety.
Shock is caused by a dangerously low level of blood flow to the brain or other vital organs, which puts a lot of stress on the body. Go to the emergency department if you experience cold sweats with a rapid heartbeat, weak pulse, rapid breathing, pale skin or feeling weak or dizzy when sitting or standing up.
Infections such as influenza or COVID-19 can cause a fever that result in cold sweats. These infections typically include a fever, cough and sore throat.
Cold sweats can also be a sign of septic shock, which is an infection from medical conditions such as pneumonia, urinary tract infections and other bacterial infections. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience very high or low temperatures, cool or pale limbs, lightheadedness, little or no urine, low blood pressure, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, or skin rash or discoloration.
You can also experience cold sweats due to fainting, severe pain, heart attacks, shortness of breath, drug withdrawal, low blood glucose and some forms of cancer.
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. Stoflet 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. Stoflet said. “Also determine if you are more tired, if you’ve had weight loss and if the sweats are affecting your daily life.”
Dr. Stoflet 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.
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