7 Causes of Night Sweats

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.

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.

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.

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 sweats symptoms.

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.

4- Infection

Medicinenet says an infection like  and 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.

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.

6- Sleep disorders

Destructive sleep apnea, or another sleep disorder, could be causing your night sweats. Other symptoms that company destructive sleep disorder, include waking abruptly to gasping or choking, daytime sleepiness and high blood pressure, among others.

7- Hypoglycemia

Low blood sugar levels can cause sweating, according to medicineNet. People with diabetes might experience night sweats, due to hypoglycemia at night.