Night Sweats: Causes and Remedies

If you think you have night sweats you're not alone. Many people report having this, although night sweats can be confused with flushing (warmth or redness of the face). If you actually have night sweats though, knowing the cause can help you determine a treatment. Doctors can narrow down the causes of night sweats to eight common conditions.

Menopause is a big cause of night sweats. Perimenopausal women often experience night sweats.

Some individuals who experience night sweats may have a condition called idiopathic hyperhidrosis. This means the body perpetually produces too much sweat for no apparent reason.

Certain infections, like tuberculosis, bacterial infections, abscesses and osteomyelitis can cause night sweats. AIDS and HIV can also produce night sweats.

Some cancers, like lymphoma, have night sweats as an early symptom. If cancer is to blame, other symptoms like weight loss are usually present.

Some medications are accompanied by night sweats as a side effect. Antidepressants are often linked to night sweats. Other medications like aspirin, acetaminophen, niacin, tamoxifen and Viagra can sometimes cause night sweats.

Hormone disorders like carcinoid syndrome and hypothyroidism can cause night sweats or flushing.

Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) and some neurologic conditions like strokes, autonomic neuropathy, and post-traumatic syringomyelia can cause night sweats as well.

If one has night sweats, treating the underlying cause is a great place to start when looking for relief. There are home remedies that can help too.

Keeping the bedroom cool can help with night sweats. Also, keeping ice water and a fan by the bed will help ease any episodes you get.

Using a few layers of cotton bedding can help as well. Using enough layers will keep you warm, but you'll also be able to shed some layers if you get hot during the night.

Exercise can help with night sweats as well. Just 20 minutes a day, three days a week is enough to help. Exercise raises endorphin levels, aids the hypothalamus, and decreases LH and FSH - all of which helps you avoid night sweats.

Some herbal remedies can help treat night sweats as well. Things like violet, elder and chickweed help cool the body. Things like yellow dock, dandelion and dong quai help the liver optimize its use of oxygen.

Black cohosh can also help with night sweats. It has long been used for relieving symptoms of menopause as well as menstrual cramps. It may even help with depression and aid digestion.

Sources:
http://www.webmd.com/menopause/guide/8-causes-of-night-sweats
www.womens-menopause-health.com/treatment_hot_flashes.htm
http://www.project-aware.org/Managing/Alt/hotflash.shtml