What Causes Night Sweats?

A common concern shared by patients with their doctor is night sweats.  This is the occurrence of excessive sweating at night while sleeping.

If you are experiencing night sweats while sleeping in a warm room, wearing too much clothing to bed or sleeping with too many blankets, the cause for excessive perspiration is most likely the result of your sleep environment.

However, if neither applies and you are experiencing night sweats frequently, there is a chance that this may be caused by an underlying medical issue.

There are several conditions that are known to cause night sweats, some of these are:

  • Hormone disorders
  • Cancers
  • Stroke
  • Infections
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Menopause
  • Hypoglycemia
  • Idiopathic hyperhidrosis
  • Thyroid diseases

Certain medications are also known to cause night sweats. You should speak with your doctor if night sweats:

  • Occur on a regular basis
  • Are accompanied by symptoms such as fever or pain
  • Occur after menopausal symptoms have subsided after several months
  • Interrupts your sleep

To schedule an appointment with a doctor at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call   718-206-7001.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.