Researching Night Sweats Online

Researching night sweats online, like researching any health condition, has its positive and negative aspects. The Internet can be a powerful tool that can arm you with valuable information, but keep in mind it can also be a tool that leads people to an inaccurate misdiagnosis.

When used correctly the Internet can provide a lot of information that can help empower you and provide you with possible causes and treatment options, but it can’t help you with accurate testing. That needs to be done by your doctor or a qualified specialist. That said here are some of the more common causes of this type of uncomfortable night sweating. Continue reading

Night Sweats and Diabetes

Night sweats and diabetes are often linked together. People with either type I or type II diabetes can experience low blood sugar levels during the night that cause a number of symptoms including night sweats. Some people experience traditional or cold night sweats with weakness, anxiety or a disoriented feeling. This can be very disruptive if it happens on a regular basis and it can leave the person short of sleep and make functioning more difficult. The good news is there are some things that can help reduce the chances of experiencing this sweating at night due to diabetes.

Keeping blood sugars stable throughout the night will help reduce sweating at night and waking up in sweat drenched bedding and night ware. There are a few different things that can help keep blood sugar levels more stable at night and reduce the chances of hypoglycemia. Eating a light snack before going to bed can help stabilize blood sugar levels through the night. It is best to choose something that will help keep blood sugar levels even and not cause a spike in blood sugar right before bed. Continue reading

Night Sweats After Surgery

There are a number of things that can cause night sweats, including surgery. Experiencing night sweats after surgery isn’t that uncommon as there are a number of variables associated with surgery and any number of these variables, or a combination of them, can cause this uncomfortable condition. Sweating is most common in the first few days after surgery, but some people may experience this for a longer period.

The most common causes of sweating after surgery include medications, inflammation, pain and even healing. Certain surgeries are more apt to cause night sweats, for example a hysterectomy can cause night sweats in women because it sends signals to the body to start menopause. Night sweats in men can be caused by surgery or treatment of the prostate. Surgery to treat hyperhidrosis can actually trigger compensatory sweating.

Because there can be complications and there is a risk of infection after surgery it is important to monitor all of your symptoms and consult your physician if you have any concerns about your condition. Continue reading

Night Sweats In Women Over 60

Night sweats in women are most common during the transition to menopause, but menopause occurs slightly differently from one women to the next. Some women start later than others, and the transition into this phase of life is longer for some women. This means that some women may still be experiencing those perimenopausal symptoms after the age of 60.

However menopause isn’t the only thing that can cause this uncomfortable symptom in women over 60. Sometimes the cause can be as simple as a room that is too warm or a nighttime habit that is triggering the sweating at night. On the other hand this can be a symptom of a medical condition. It is important to talk to your doctor about any concerns and to find a treatment that can provide relief. Fortunately there are some other steps you can take to reduce the discomfort of these disruptive night sweats. Continue reading

Cold Night Sweats

There are a few possible causes of cold sweats at night. Anxiety, fear or stress can cause cold night sweats, as well as pain from injuries or medical problems (heart attack), severe shortness of breath or low blood glucose levels (hypoglycemia). Having a nightmare can also cause this symptom. In most cases they aren’t caused by a serious medical condition but because they can be a sign of something more serious, even a heart attack, it is important to pay attention to them, and to notice if you are experiencing any other symptoms along with the sweating.

The reason they are called cold sweats is because the hypothalamus – our body’s internal thermostat — uses perspiration with other biological mechanisms to help cool the body when it feels it is overheated. Because body temperature drops while you are sweating, you may feel chills during or after sweating. Sometimes internal or external variables can confuse the hypothalamus causing it to trigger those biological mechanisms that cause sudden sweating even when it isn’t really necessary. Continue reading