Night sweats are characterized by excessive sweating at night. This common symptom can have many different causes, some of which are mild and others require medical advice.

Night sweats: what is it?

We speak of night sweats during sudden and excessive sweating during the night. This common symptom can appear on an ad hoc basis or repeat itself for several nights in a row. It is often associated with sleep disturbances.

In general, night sweats are the consequence of stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system, that is to say of one of the autonomous nervous systems of the body. It is the excitement of this nervous system that is at the origin of sweating. However, there are many different causes of excessive nighttime sweating. The precise origin should be identified to avoid inconvenience or complications.

Night sweats: who is affected?

The occurrence of night sweats is common. This symptom affects both men and women. It would affect on average 35% of people aged between 20 and 65 years.

The occurrence of night sweats can have many explanations. They can be caused by:

• a Sleep Apnea, also called sleep apnea syndrome, which manifests itself by involuntary stops in breathing during sleep;
• le nocturnal periodic movement syndrome, or restless leg syndrome, which is characterized by repeated movements of the legs during sleep;
• un gastroesophageal reflux, which corresponds to what is more commonly called heartburn;
• acute or chronic infections, such as tuberculosis, infectious endocarditis, or osteomyelitis;
• a hormonal disorder, which can occur during a change in the hormonal cycle in women, especially during pregnancy or menopause, or in case of hyperthyroidism with abnormally high production of hormones by the thyroid gland;
• the stress, which can be manifested by a sudden awakening accompanied by excessive sweating, in particular during post-traumatic stress syndrome, a panic attack or even certain nightmares;
• taking certain medications, whose side effects may be night sweats;
• certain cancers, especially in cases of Hodgkin’s or non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Due to the many possible causes, it is sometimes difficult to diagnose the precise origin of night sweats. Several tests may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis. In some cases, the origin of night sweats is said to be idiopathic, which means that no cause could be clearly established.

Excessive sweating during the night often tends to cause you to wake up suddenly. This results in an alteration in the quality of sleep, which can induce a state of fatigue, with the onset of daytime sleepiness, concentration disturbances or mood disorders.

While night sweats often appear on an ad hoc basis, they can sometimes persist and repeat for several nights in a row. A medical opinion is then recommended to identify the origin of the excessive sweating.

In case of repeated night sweats, it is recommended to contact a health professional. An appointment with a general practitioner makes it possible to make a first diagnosis. This can then be confirmed through various blood tests.

If the origin of night sweats is complex, an appointment with a specialist may be necessary. Other examinations may then be requested to deepen the diagnosis. For example, a complete sleep recording can be set up to identify sleep apnea.

Depending on the diagnosis, appropriate treatment is put in place. This may include in particular:

• homeopathic treatment ;
• relaxation exercises ;
• consultations with a psychologist ;
• hormonal treatment ;
• preventive measures, for example with a change in diet.