Experts unveil multiple causes for night sweats that may signal underlying health concerns like neurological or cardiological conditions, or even GERD.
Persistent and severe night sweats are not normal, say the experts. (Getty Images)
In the quiet of the night, a phenomenon often brushed off as a minor inconvenience might be an indication of underlying health issues. Night sweats, known medically as sleep hyperhidrosis, are episodes of excessive sweating occurring at night, which can disrupt sleep and significantly affect the quality of life.
Medical professionals are emphasising the importance of not overlooking this symptom as it could be indicative of various health conditions, ranging from menopause to infections and chronic diseases.
While the occasional night sweat can be attributed to a warm sleeping environment or too many blankets, recurrent episodes deserve medical attention.
Speaking to South First, Dr J Hari Kishan, Senior General Physician, Kamineni Hospitals, LB Nagar, Hyderabad, says, “Night sweats, or nocturnal hyperhidrosis, can be disconcerting and may indicate an underlying medical issue.”
People should be aware of the different types of night sweats, and, more importantly, recognising when to seek medical help is crucial for proper evaluation and care.
“Night sweats can stem from various causes and individuals should remain attentive to these potential factors. The most common form, idiopathic hyperhidrosis, entails excessive sweating without an identifiable trigger, often attributed to genetic factors or disturbances in the body’s thermoregulation,” explains Dr Kishan.
He says that night sweats may also be indicative of infections, including tuberculosis, HIV, and endocarditis, typically accompanied by symptoms like fever, unexplained weight loss, and fatigue.
Dr Mani Deepthi Dasari, Endocrinologist at Apollo Hospitals, Sheshadripuram, tells South First that there are many reasons for night sweats. “One of the most common is anxiety. Whenever a person feels anxiety, they will have sweating, nervousness, palpitations, and tremors.” he explains.
He adds that those who drink alcohol before bed time may also experience night sweats.
Accounting for years of experience as an endocrinologist, Dr Dasari says that diabetic patients who are on medication are also likely to experience night sweats caused by hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar level).
He explains, “If such patients have hypoglycaemic symptoms, they might feel sweating, excessive hunger, palpitations, and tremors. The patient should be able to identify hypoglycemia, as timely action is important. A simple thing to do in such a situation is to check the blood sugar immediately and take two spoons of sugar or a chocolate biscuit to resolve the symptoms.”
He adds that conditions of the thyroid can also cause sweating at night.
Dr Kishan says that hormonal imbalances, such as those experienced during menopause in women or low testosterone in men, can also lead to night sweats.
He adds that certain medications, including specific antidepressants, antipyretics, and hormone therapy drugs, can induce night sweats as a side effect. “Night sweats can also serve as an early warning sign for certain cancers, particularly lymphoma, especially when accompanied by unexplained weight loss and fatigue,” he explains.
Dr Sudhir Kumar, Consultant Neurologist at Apollo Hospitals in Hyderabad, tells South First, “Disorders of the nervous system, like autonomic dysreflexia and autonomic neuropathy, can interfere with the body’s natural temperature control, often leading to episodes of night sweats. While not exceedingly common in the field of neurology, any instance of unusual sweating could indicate autonomic neuropathy.”
He further explains, “The autonomic nervous system is responsible for managing our heart rate, blood pressure, and the operation of our sweat glands. Individuals with disorders in this system may experience irregular sweat patterns, not just at night but also during the day.”
Typically, sweating is a response to an increase in temperature, however, those with a compromised autonomic system might find themselves sweating even in cooler conditions.
“This excessive sweating is one of the indicators we monitor. We also watch for accompanying symptoms, such as a sudden fall in blood pressure, which can be indicative of autonomic dysfunction. When multiple symptoms are present, it points more strongly towards autonomic dysfunction,” Dr Sudhir Kumar explains.
Additionally, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can cause night sweats when the stomach acid irritates the oesophagus, leading to discomfort and sweating during sleep.
Even mental health issues, particularly anxiety and stress, can trigger night sweats, often accompanied by symptoms like racing thoughts and a rapid heartbeat.
Interventional Cardiologist from Sakra World Hospital, Dr Deepak Krishnamurthy, tells South First, “Night sweats, especially if associated with breathlessness and cough during sleep, may indicate serious cardiac problems. It is called ‘Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnoea’ or PND and indicates lung congestion (pulmonary oedema) with fluids in the night, as a result of low pumping capacity of the heart.”
Dr Krishnamurthy says that many times, this may lead to sudden cardiac arrest in one’s sleep. So, any of these symptoms should make one consult a cardiologist at the earliest to get evaluated.
Explaining further, he says, “Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea is a sensation of shortness of breath that awakens the patient, often after 1 or 2 hours of sleep, and is usually relieved in the upright position.”
Dr Krishnamurthy adds, “It may also happen due to blockages in coronary arteries and severe blockage in the cardiac valves and cardiac arrhythmia.”
Dr Kishan says that it is important to recognise the need for medical help with night sweats in the following scenarios:
Early medical evaluation is essential for pinpointing the underlying cause, enabling effective management and treatment of potential health issues, and ensuring overall well-being, Dr Kishan adds.
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