Sweating forehead at night. Night Sweats: 8 Common Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

27.12.197226.08.2021 by alexxlab

What triggers excessive sweating during sleep. How to identify underlying health issues associated with night sweats. When should you be concerned about night sweats. What are effective ways to manage and reduce night sweats.

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Understanding Night Sweats: More Than Just Feeling Hot

Night sweats, characterized by excessive perspiration during sleep, affect approximately one-third of primary care patients. Despite their prevalence, many individuals hesitate to discuss this symptom with their healthcare providers. Night sweats can range from mild dampness to drenching episodes that soak through bedding and sleepwear.

While occasional night sweats may not be cause for concern, persistent or severe episodes warrant medical attention. Understanding the potential causes and associated symptoms can help determine when to seek professional evaluation.

Common Triggers of Nighttime Perspiration

Several factors can disrupt the body’s thermoregulation during sleep, leading to night sweats:

Environmental factors (e.g., heavy bedding, warm room temperature)
Hormonal fluctuations
Certain medications
Underlying medical conditions
Stress and anxiety
Alcohol or spicy food consumption before bed

Identifying potential triggers is crucial for managing night sweats effectively. Keeping a sleep diary to track patterns and associated factors can provide valuable insights for both patients and healthcare providers.

Medical Conditions Associated with Night Sweats

While night sweats are often benign, they can sometimes indicate an underlying health issue. Some medical conditions linked to night sweats include:

Infections (e.g., tuberculosis, HIV)
Hormonal disorders (e.g., hyperthyroidism, menopause)
Certain cancers (e.g., lymphoma)
Sleep disorders (e.g., obstructive sleep apnea)
Neurological conditions
Anxiety disorders

Can night sweats be a sign of cancer? In rare cases, night sweats may be associated with certain types of cancer, particularly lymphoma. However, it’s important to note that cancer-related night sweats typically occur alongside other symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, fever, and fatigue.

Medications That May Induce Night Sweats

Certain medications can disrupt the body’s temperature regulation, leading to increased nighttime perspiration. Common culprits include:

Antidepressants, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Hormone therapy
Diabetes medications
Some pain relievers
Steroids

Are antidepressants a common cause of night sweats? Yes, SSRIs and other antidepressants are frequently associated with night sweats as a side effect. If you suspect your medication is causing night sweats, consult your healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment regimen.

Diagnostic Approaches for Night Sweats

Determining the underlying cause of night sweats often requires a comprehensive evaluation. Healthcare providers may employ various diagnostic methods, including:

Detailed medical history and symptom review
Physical examination
Blood tests to check for infections, hormonal imbalances, or other abnormalities
Sleep studies to assess for sleep disorders
Imaging studies (if a more serious condition is suspected)

How do doctors diagnose the cause of night sweats? The diagnostic process typically begins with a thorough discussion of symptoms, medical history, and potential triggers. Based on this information, healthcare providers may order additional tests or refer patients to specialists for further evaluation.

Treatment Strategies for Managing Night Sweats

Effective management of night sweats often depends on addressing the underlying cause. Treatment approaches may include:

Lifestyle modifications (e.g., adjusting sleep environment, avoiding triggers)
Hormone therapy for menopausal women
Medication adjustments or alternatives
Treatment of underlying medical conditions
Stress reduction techniques
Cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety-related night sweats

What are some effective home remedies for night sweats? Simple strategies like using breathable bedding, keeping the bedroom cool, avoiding spicy foods and alcohol before bed, and practicing relaxation techniques can help alleviate mild night sweats. However, persistent or severe episodes should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Night Sweats

While occasional night sweats may not be cause for concern, certain situations warrant prompt medical evaluation:

Frequent or severe night sweats that disrupt sleep quality
Night sweats accompanied by fever, weight loss, or other concerning symptoms
Sudden onset of night sweats without apparent cause
Night sweats that persist despite lifestyle modifications

Should you be worried about night sweats? In most cases, night sweats are not a sign of a serious underlying condition. However, if night sweats are significantly impacting your quality of life or occur alongside other concerning symptoms, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider for proper evaluation and guidance.

The Impact of Night Sweats on Sleep Quality and Overall Health

Chronic night sweats can have far-reaching effects on both physical and mental well-being:

Disrupted sleep patterns and insomnia
Daytime fatigue and decreased cognitive function
Increased irritability and mood disturbances
Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances
Skin irritation and increased susceptibility to infections

How do night sweats affect sleep quality? Night sweats can significantly disrupt sleep architecture, leading to frequent awakenings and reduced time spent in restorative deep sleep stages. This can result in daytime fatigue, impaired concentration, and a weakened immune system over time.

Long-term Consequences of Untreated Night Sweats

While occasional night sweats may not pose significant health risks, chronic, untreated episodes can lead to:

Increased risk of mood disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety)
Compromised immune function
Cardiovascular strain
Reduced quality of life

Addressing night sweats promptly and identifying any underlying causes is crucial for maintaining overall health and well-being.

Lifestyle Modifications to Reduce Night Sweats

Implementing certain lifestyle changes can help alleviate night sweats and improve sleep quality:

Optimize sleep environment:
- Use breathable, moisture-wicking bedding
- Keep bedroom temperature cool (60-67°F or 15-19°C)
- Use a fan or air conditioning for air circulation
Adjust diet and habits:
- Avoid spicy foods, caffeine, and alcohol before bedtime
- Stay hydrated throughout the day
- Maintain a consistent sleep schedule
Practice stress-reduction techniques:
- Meditation or mindfulness exercises
- Deep breathing exercises
- Progressive muscle relaxation
Exercise regularly, but avoid intense workouts close to bedtime
Wear loose, breathable sleepwear

What dietary changes can help reduce night sweats? Limiting intake of spicy foods, caffeine, and alcohol, especially in the hours leading up to bedtime, may help minimize night sweats. Additionally, staying well-hydrated throughout the day can support the body’s natural cooling mechanisms.

The Role of Exercise in Managing Night Sweats

Regular physical activity can have numerous benefits for individuals experiencing night sweats:

Improved thermoregulation
Reduced stress and anxiety levels
Enhanced sleep quality
Better overall physical health

However, it’s important to time workouts appropriately, as exercising too close to bedtime can temporarily elevate body temperature and potentially exacerbate night sweats.

Technological Innovations for Night Sweat Relief

Advancements in sleep technology have led to the development of various products designed to alleviate night sweats:

Cooling mattress pads and toppers
Temperature-regulating bedding materials
Moisture-wicking sleepwear
Smart bed systems with adjustable temperature settings
Portable cooling devices for targeted relief

While these products may provide symptomatic relief, it’s essential to address any underlying causes of night sweats for long-term management.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Cooling Products

When considering cooling products for night sweat relief, keep in mind:

Individual responses may vary
Quality and durability of materials
Cost-effectiveness compared to other management strategies
Potential impact on sleep partners

Consulting with a sleep specialist or healthcare provider can help determine which products may be most beneficial for your specific situation.

The Psychological Impact of Chronic Night Sweats

Persistent night sweats can take a significant toll on mental health and well-being:

Increased anxiety about sleep
Embarrassment and social withdrawal
Relationship strain due to sleep disturbances
Reduced self-esteem and body image concerns
Heightened stress levels

How can night sweats affect mental health? Chronic night sweats can create a cycle of anxiety and sleep disturbances, potentially leading to or exacerbating mood disorders. Additionally, the physical discomfort and social implications of night sweats may contribute to feelings of isolation and decreased quality of life.

Coping Strategies for Emotional Well-being

Individuals dealing with chronic night sweats may benefit from:

Seeking support from loved ones or support groups
Practicing self-compassion and stress management techniques
Engaging in regular physical activity and hobbies
Considering counseling or therapy for additional emotional support
Educating themselves about night sweats to reduce anxiety and feel more in control

Addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of night sweats is crucial for comprehensive management and improved overall well-being.

Future Directions in Night Sweat Research and Treatment

As understanding of night sweats continues to evolve, several areas of research show promise for improved diagnosis and management:

Development of more precise diagnostic criteria and assessment tools
Investigation of genetic factors influencing susceptibility to night sweats
Exploration of novel pharmacological interventions with fewer side effects
Integration of wearable technology for real-time monitoring and personalized treatment
Further study of the long-term health implications of chronic night sweats

What advancements can we expect in night sweat treatment? Ongoing research may lead to more targeted therapies, improved diagnostic accuracy, and a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of night sweats. This could result in more effective, personalized treatment approaches in the future.

The Importance of Patient Education and Awareness

Increasing public awareness about night sweats is crucial for:

Encouraging early reporting of symptoms to healthcare providers
Reducing stigma and misconceptions surrounding night sweats
Empowering individuals to take proactive steps in managing their symptoms
Facilitating more open discussions about sleep health and related concerns

Healthcare providers play a vital role in educating patients about night sweats, potential causes, and available management strategies.

What Causes Night Sweats In Men? Signs and Treatment

If you wake up every morning drenched in sweat, you’ve probably frantically Googled “what causes night sweats” at one point or another. But the truth is, there is no one cause. You’ll probably have to do some sleuthing to figure out what’s prompting your perspiration.

Night sweats are fairly common: In one study published in Annals of Family Medicine, about one-third of primary care patients reported night sweats during the past month. But most sufferers of night sweats never report the symptom to their doctor, says study author James Mold, M.D., a professor of family medicine at the University of Oklahoma.

So what are the most common causes? We’ve rounded up just a few of them.

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What makes some guys prone to night sweats?

Your body uses sweat to reduce your core temperature when it spikes above a threshold called the thermoneutral zone, research suggests. Lots of things can push your body temp into this zone, from use of heavy blankets to inflammatory processes inside your body when you have an infection or disease.

Several conditions can impact your sympathetic nervous system, your sweat glands, or other factors that influence your body’s ability to regulate its temperature. It’s also possible that people who work out may be conditioned to sweat at lower temperatures than expected, according to a study review by Mold and his colleagues.

What causes night sweats?

In a literature review published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, Dr. Mold and his colleagues revealed that several factors increase the likelihood of night sweats, including panic attacks, sleep problems, fever, numbness in hands and feet, anxiety and stress, and trouble breathing at night.

Night sweats may also be a side effect of medication, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), commonly prescribed for depression. “Though causation has neither been proven nor disproven with certainty, it seems likely that SSRIs are a cause,” says Mold.

In a handful of cases, night sweats could indicate a serious problem. Mold’s study review suggests that they can be a symptom of autoimmune diseases, heart problems, or sleep apnea, which can cause you to momentarily stop breathing while you sleep.

While these cases are fairly rare, if you wake up in a pool of sweat almost every night, or if your alarm sounds and you’re soaked through your pajamas, you should see your doctor, says Mold. He also suggests monitoring your body temperature twice a day for a week to detect any fevers, and keeping a record of other symptoms to bring to your doc.

Ultimately, the best strategy to reduce night sweats is to treat whatever underlying condition is causing them. In the case of SSRI-induced night sweats, some people have seen improvement by adding medications called alpha-adrenergic blockers, research shows.

You should also avoid using heavy blankets or bedding, and eating spicy foods before bed.

Julie Stewart
Julie Stewart is a writer and content strategist whose work has also appeared in Health, and Women’s Health, Everyday Health, Vice, and Shape.

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Why Do I Sweat When I Sleep?

It can be disconcerting to climb into bed, fall asleep easily and wake up drenched in sweat hours later—or to feel overheated once insomnia kicks and you just can’t seem to turn off your brain. What’s the cause of these nighttime blasts of heat?

“I started studying night sweats because I had patients asking me about them, and I wanted to give them an answer,” says Dr. James Mold, emeritus professor of family and preventive medicine at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine.

In 2011, Mold published a review study that looked at all the available research on the causes and symptoms of night sweats. He turned up more questions than answers. Even the definition of “night sweats” is not well-established, and descriptions of the condition range from mild to “drenching” perspiration.

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“One thing we did find is that sweating at night is associated with states of arousal, and that some of the things that cause people to sweat at night include [antidepressants] or blood pressure medications, alcohol or eating too close to bed,” Mold says. Each of these can disrupt the body’s natural metabolic slow-down or temperature-control mechanisms, and so disrupt or curtail sleep, his study suggests.

Of course, the hormone shifts associated with menopause are also a common cause of nighttime hot flashes, says Dr. Hadine Joffe, an associate professor in the division of sleep medicine at Harvard Medical School. Even if you’re not waking up in a pool of sweat, these hormone shifts can cause “mini arousals”—basically, periods of very light sleep—that can cause a person to feel unrefreshed or “sapped” during the day.

Intense exercise too close to bed can also “throw off” the body’s thermoregulation processes, says Michael Grandner, an associate professor and director of the Sleep & Health Research Program at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. He explains that a person’s body temperature naturally dips just before bed, which promotes sleep. Eating or exercising too close to bed can fire up your metabolism, which increases heat production and so may interfere with the body’s natural powering down.

MORE: TIME’s Guide To Sleep

But what about the sudden surge of heat on those nights when you can’t sleep? Those could be caused by everything from an over-active brain to the types of bedding or attire you favor. “Nighttime sweats are often simply caused by pajamas, mattresses and sheets that don’t breathe well,” Grandner says.

Your body’s built-in sleep clocks cause your core temperature to drop during the hour or two before bed, and once you’re asleep, it should continue to drop very gradually until reaching its lowest point sometime around 3 A. M., Grandner explains. Anything that messes with those normal temperature progressions can disrupt your sleep. If you were nice and cool when you got into bed, loading up on heavy pajamas or extra-warm blankets could trap heat, disrupt your body’s natural temperature slide and keep you awake.

There’s also some evidence linking insomnia with higher levels of autonomous nervous system arousal, including a rapid heart rate, higher metabolism and increased body temperature. While the research is a little spotty, it suggests an overactive, agitated mind—one preoccupied with worry or thoughts of the coming day—could lead to the release of the stress hormones cortisol, which could rev up some internal functions that produce heat.

That could explain why, on nights when you can’t sleep, you end up kicking off your covers and turning over your pillows in search of some cool comfort.

To stave off the sweats, start by swapping out your existing bedding for comforters and sheets that breathe well and keep cool. Untreated cotton is always a good, affordable option. Grandner also says that many foam mattresses trap heat; be sure to select a mattress (and mattress pad or topper) that will help promote cool sleeping.

Sleeping with one foot outside of your covers may also help. “The bottom of the feet have important temperature sensing functions and can help the body maintain a cool sensation even under a warm blanket,” Grandner says. The same is true of your neck, so try to keep it and your head outside of your comforter. (Some research shows that cooling your head at night, either with a cooling cap or by turning down the thermostat, can combat insomnia.)

If your nighttime sweats seem to be caused by meds or menopause, tell your doctor. He or she may be able to switch your medications to stop your symptoms. For menopause-related hot flashes, there are drug therapies—both hormonal and not—that can help, Joffe says.

Keeping cool at night is easier said than done. But understanding that heat is the enemy of sleep can help you snooze more soundly.

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Hyperhidrosis symptoms & treatments – Illnesses & conditions

Hyperhidrosis can be challenging to treat and it may take a while to find the best treatment for you. Less invasive treatments will usually be recommended first.

Lifestyle changes

Changing your lifestyle cannot cure primary hyperhidrosis (hyperhidrosis with no obvious cause), but it can improve your symptoms and help your confidence.

The advice below may help.

Avoid triggers that you know make your sweating worse, such as spicy foods and alcohol
Use antiperspirant frequently, rather than deodorant
Avoid wearing tight, restrictive clothing and man-made fibres, such as nylon
Wearing black or white clothing can minimise signs of sweating
Armpit shields can absorb excessive sweat and protect your clothes
Wear socks that absorb moisture, such as thick socks made of natural fibres, or special soles or sports socks designed to absorb moisture
Avoid wearing socks made out of man-made materials and change your socks at least twice a day if possible
Ideally wear shoes made of leather, and try to alternate between different pairs of shoes every day

Stronger antiperspirants

If a regular antiperspirant doesn’t control your sweating, your GP may prescribe or suggest a stronger one for you.

Antiperspirant containing aluminium chloride is often used to treat hyperhidrosis. This works by plugging the sweat glands. You will need to apply it at night just before you go to sleep and wash it off in the morning.

The most common side effect of aluminium chloride is mild irritation or itching and tingling where it is applied. Using the antiperspirant less frequently can help reduce irritation. Using emollients (moisturisers) regularly and soap substitutes instead of soap may also help.

Anticholinergics

You may be prescribed a type of medicine called an anticholinergic or antimuscarinic. These work by blocking the effects of a chemical called acetylcholine, which the nervous system uses to activate the sweat glands.

Anticholinergics are available as tablets or solutions that are applied to affected areas. They’re not widely used to treat hyperhidrosis and most types are not licensed to treat it, but some people find them helpful.

Propantheline bromide is an anticholinergic medicine licensed for treating hyperhidrosis. However, anticholinergic medicines unlicensed for hyperhidrosis – such as oxybutynin and glycopyrronium bromide – can also be prescribed if your doctor feels they might help.

Possible side effects of anticholinergics include a dry mouth, blurred vision, stomach cramps, constipation and difficulty passing urine.

Referral to a dermatologist

If lifestyle changes and treatment don’t work, your GP may refer you to a dermatologist (a specialist in treating skin conditions) for further treatment, such as iontophoresis, botulinum toxin or surgery.

Iontophoresis

Iontophoresis may help if you have excessive sweating that affects your hands or feet. It can also be used to treat armpits, although this is usually less effective.

Iontophoresis involves treating affected areas of skin with a weak electric current passed through water or a wet pad. This is thought to help block the sweat glands.

If your hands and feet need treating, you place them in a bowl of water and a weak electric current is passed through the water. If your armpits need treating, a wet contact pad is placed against each armpit and a current is passed through the pad.

The treatment is not painful but the electric current can cause mild, short-lived discomfort and skin irritation.

Each session of iontophoresis lasts between 20 and 30 minutes, and you will usually need to have 2 to 4 sessions a week. Your symptoms should begin to improve after a week or 2, after which further treatment will be required at 1 to 4 week intervals, depending on how severe your symptoms are.

Iontophoresis is often very effective, although you may need to make regular visits to your local hospital’s dermatology clinic to receive treatment.

Alternatively, iontophoresis kits that you can use at home may be recommended, with prices in the range of £250-500.

Botulinum toxin injections

Botulinum toxin can be injected into the skin in areas of the body affected by hyperhidrosis. This helps reduce sweating in these areas by blocking the signals from the brain to the sweat glands.

Around 15-20 injections are given in the affected areas of the body, such as the armpits, hands, feet or face. The procedure usually takes about 30-45 minutes in total.

The effect of the injections usually lasts for several months, after which time the treatment can be repeated if necessary.

Potential side effects of botulinum toxin injections include:

pain, redness or itching where the injections are given
nausea, headaches and hot flushes after the injections are given
another part of your body sweating more to make up for treated area – known as compensatory sweating
muscle weakness around the treatment area

Most of these side effects are short-lived or will resolve as the effect of the injections wears off.

Availability of botulinum toxin on the NHS can vary widely depending on your clinical commissioning group (CCG), and you may only be able to get it privately. Costs for private treatment depend on the part of the body being treated. For example, injecting the forehead can cost around £150, while treating both armpits could cost up to £450 or more.

Surgery and other procedures

In a few cases where hyperhidrosis is particularly severe and treatment hasn’t been successful, surgery may be recommended.

Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS)

Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) is the most widely used type of surgery to treat hyperhidrosis. It’s usually used in cases affecting the palms or armpits.

Small incisions are made in the side of the chest and the nerves that control sweating in the affected area are cut or clipped. This means signals can no longer pass along them to the sweat glands. The operation is carried out under general anaesthetic and done on both sides of the body.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends that ETS can be used to treat excessive sweating of the palms or underarms. However, before the procedure is performed, your clinician should explain:

ETS carries a risk of serious complications (see below)
it’s very common for excessive compensatory sweating to occur after the procedure, which causes some people to regret the procedure
the procedure is not always successful at reducing sweating

For this reason, only people with severe hyperhidrosis which hasn’t responded to treatment should be considered.

Read the full NICE guidelines on endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy for primary hyperhidrosis of the upper limb.

Side effects and complications of ETS can also include:

sweating of the face and neck after eating food – this is known as gustatory sweating and may affect up to half of people who have the procedure
bleeding into the chest during surgery
air becoming trapped inside the chest (pneumothorax), which can cause chest pain and breathing difficulties
damage to the nervous system that causes the upper eyelid on one side of the body to droop (Horner’s syndrome) – this may be permanent

Removing or destroying sweat glands

Excessive sweating under the arms may occasionally be treated with a procedure to remove or destroy the sweat glands in the armpits.

This can be carried out in a number of ways:

making an incision in the armpit and carefully scraping away (curettage) or cutting out (Shelley’s procedure) the sweat glands
using a probe held above the skin (no incisions are needed), which emits electromagnetic radiation that destroys the sweat glands
inserting a laser device under the skin through a small incision and using it to destroy the sweat glands

These procedures are generally carried out under local anaesthetic, which means you will be awake but your armpit will be numbed.

These procedures can sometimes be a permanent solution to excessive underarm sweating, although they are only carried out by a small number of practitioners. Availability on the NHS is likely to be very limited and you will probably need to pay for private treatment.

These procedures don’t work for everyone and some of them are relatively new, which means there isn’t always evidence about their long-term safety and effectiveness.

Treating anxiety

Feelings of anxiety are not directly responsible for causing primary hyperhidrosis, but they can make the situation worse and create a vicious cycle.

You may feel self-conscious, which can trigger anxiety in certain situations, such as when meeting new people or being in a crowded room. The anxiety can make the sweating worse.

If your anxiety is making your sweating worse, a type of talking therapy called cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) might help. Medication for anxiety is not usually recommended because it can make sweating worse.

Hyperhidrosis | Johns Hopkins Medicine

Hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating that occurs on the:

Underarms
Palms
Face
Scalp
Feet

What is hyperhidrosis?

The body uses sweat as a form of temperature control, in order to cool itself. Hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating, which means sweating more than normal.

People with hyperhidrosis report feelings of social isolation and withdrawal from others in order to avoid touching others. This includes dating, business activities (where shaking hands is commonplace) and other activities for fear of body odor and damp clothing.

People with hyperhidrosis don’t have more sweat glands than other people. Rather, the nerve that controls sweating—the sympathetic nerve—is oversensitive and causes the overproduction of sweat.

Who gets hyperhidrosis?

There are two types of hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating): primary hyperhidrosis and secondary hyperhidrosis.

Primary hyperhidrosis is usually inherited, which means one of your family members may have had it. Primary hyperhidrosis begins in childhood and worsens with puberty, especially in women.

Secondary hyperhidrosis is caused by some other condition or behavior. Some of these might include:

Some cancers are known to cause night sweats, so if you only sweat at night, see your doctor as soon as possible to rule out a serious disease.

Hyperhidrosis Symptoms

Depending where on your body you experience hyperhidrosis will determine your symptoms. Typically, symptoms include:

Excess sweat on your palms, hands, underarms, face and trunk (body)
Some patients may experience extreme flushing on their faces

Hyperhidrosis Diagnosis

Our doctors diagnose hyperhidrosis by doing a physical examination and listening to a patient’s history. We can also measure the level of sweating in two different ways:

Starch Iodine Test: This is a test that turns the sweat brown and is used to detect excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)
Vapometer: This device measures transepidermal water loss and measures the amount of sweat that the hands, underarms, feet and scalp make. Measuring the amount of sweat gives your doctor an objective way to compare the amount of sweat before and after treatment.

Hyperhidrosis Treatment

There are different treatments for hyperhidrosis, depending on the severity of the condition. These include:

Medications

Drying Topical Creams

Daily topical creams that dry the skin are usually the first introduced treatment. Aluminum chloride or aluminum chloride hexahydrate are the most common of these creams.

Applied daily, usually at night, and then covered to encourage absorption, these creams can be very effective. However, some people find that they have uncomfortable side effects, including burning and skin reactions.

Oral Medications

Oral medications are known as systemic therapies, meaning they affect your entire body. These medications are called anticholinergics, which mean they cause a drying reaction in the body. These oral medications can be a good option for patients who sweat in multiple locations. There are some side effects, like dry mouth and dry eyes. Sometimes, after using these medications for a while, patients find these medications lose their effectiveness.

Dietary Changes

New research suggests changes in diet, such as adopting a vegetarian diet, and dietary supplements may reduce the severity of hyperhidrosis.

Botulinum Toxin

This treatment involves administering injections into affected areas. These injections cause a very reliable temporary decrease in sweating, typically lasting from three to six months.

Microwave thermolysis of sweat glands

This treatment directs energy at the sweat glands in the underarm. By destroying the sweat glands in the underarm, excessive sweating in that area stops immediately. Only 2% of the sweat glands in the body are located in the underarm area, so destroying them in this area does not affect the body’s ability to cool.

Before the procedure, your doctor will numb the underarm area. Then your underarm skin is lifted into the system and microwave energy is directed to the sweat glands. The procedure typically takes an hour and involves no incisions or cuts.

Surgery

Sympathectomy is often used as a last resort for treating hyperhidrosis after other methods have shown no effect. This procedure involves cutting the sympathetic nerve, which is the nerve that controls the sweat reaction.

Behavioral Medicine

Patients diagnosed with hyperhidrosis may experience increased stress associated with excessive sweating. Although topical and oral medications are the first steps of treatment for the physical symptoms of hyperhidrosis, behavior medicine techniques may provide relief from stress, anxiety and other negative emotional reactions which can be experienced with this condition. Behavior medicine consultation is recommended for all patients to improve emotional, social and occupational/academic functioning in youth and adults with hyperhidrosis.

Night Sweats in Children: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Last Updated on May 28, 2020

Uninterrupted sleep is a key factor in the healthy growth and development in children. But if your child is struggling to get a good night’s sleep, it’s important to know the reason behind it. If the child’s head sweats while sleeping, it can lead to discomfort and your child may have trouble getting a sound sleep. Your toddler’s night sweats can result in him crying in the middle of the night for the same reason. In such scenarios, it is necessary to get to the bottom of it and understand it properly.

What Are Night Sweats?

Whether or not night sweats are a result of a medical condition, they can be detrimental to a child’s health. Night sweats mean, quite simply, sweating during the night. This generally occurs as a result of the environment being hot, humid, or both, leading to sweating. Children require a deep sleep every night as that gives the body the time to repair itself. The body auto-regulates its own temperature when the weather is warm, but as this system is not developed fully in young children – this results in the sweat glands becoming larger than normal, and hence, sweating.

Common Causes of Night Sweats in Kids

Here are some of the common causes of night sweat in children:

Using bedsheets that are either thick or large in number
Wearing night apparel made of non-breathable material
Having a room that is warmer than normal
Lack of ventilation in the room
The child is suffering from an infection that raises body temperature
Effects of some medication your child may be on
Having a nightmare
Non-optimal weight, leading to body issues
Having spicy food before going to bed, which is difficult to digest
Changes in atmospheric temperature, even between air-conditioned rooms
Suffering from sleep apnea, a condition where breathing stops and starts randomly
Other sleeping problems, including snoring
Cold and cough that causes a blocked nose
Anxiety and stress a child might be suffering from

Symptoms of Excessive Night Sweating in Children

Here are some of the typical symptoms of night sweating:

Your child might be gasping for breath intermittently while sleeping
Your child’s breathing pattern might be irregular
Your child might seem tired and exhausted throughout the day
Your child has a tendency to keep their mouth open while he sleeps

How Is the Problem of Night Sweating Diagnosed in Children?

It is best to take your child to the doctor and get a medical opinion on any of the above-mentioned symptoms you see in him. The doctor will want to know the history pertaining to your child’s health, including any sleep-related habits that he has. The doctor will also inquire about the environment of the house, asking about temperature and ventilation. Then, a general check-up will be done to see if your child has an infection in the sinus or the ears, or any other underlying issue.

Treatment for Child Sweating at Night

There’s no specific treatment that directly targets a child’s night sweats. However, you can ensure that your child remains sweat-free by keeping him hydrated at all times, shifting him to a room that has proper ventilation, clothing him in soft, breathable material, and has bedding that is soft and light.

If the night sweats occur because of a disorder or an illness diagnosed by a doctor, your child will most likely be given medication to treat that problem. Make sure you are regular with it and do not skip a dose.

How to Help Your Child Avoid Sweating At Night

Here are a few tips you can use to avoid night sweats in children.

Ensure that your child’s bedroom is at a temperature that is comfortable for the entire duration of the night.
Avoid giving your child spicy or rich foods for dinner. Such foods can increase body temperature and thus the chances of having night sweats. Make sure that the child stays up for at least 30 minutes after dinner and does not sleep immediately.
To help the child sleep better, take slow walks with him around the house post-dinner. This will help him digest his food better.
Invest in proper, loose, and comfortable clothing that is purely meant for sleeping.
Rid your child’s bedroom of needless comforters, blankets, and anything that might be too warm for him to sleep in.
Ask your child about his day every day to understand if he is facing any problems in school or otherwise. This way, you can help him come out of his anxiety or stress if he has any.
Talk to your doctor about your child’s symptoms and get regular checkups done to identify any medical issues.
In case you notice that a certain type of medicine triggers nighttime sweating in your child, let your doctor know about it and see if they might recommend an alternative for the same.

Can Wool Bedding Ease Night Sweats in Children?

Wool bedding is generally considered the best option for a toddler. Wool has an inherent property of regulating body temperature, making it suitable for any environment. It will keep your child warm when it’s cold, and cool when it’s hot. Since night sweats make things uncomfortable, wool bedding will absorb most of the moisture and will keep things from being sticky or clammy, and keep your child in a deep slumber without any interruptions.

Your child’s excessive sweating at night can cause you to start worrying about him. By ensuring a good environment, proper clothing, and a fixed schedule, you can help him achieve the necessary sleep he needs. On consulting the doctor, any other issues can be resolved easily and night sweats would be nothing more than a thing of the past.

Also Read: Bedwetting in Kids

What Are Hot Flashes and Sweating?

In people with cancer, certain conditions and medications can cause sweating, hot flashes, or night sweats. They happen when your body tries to lower its temperature. They can happen even when the area around you or the room you’re in is cool.

Sweating is also known as perspiring. Sweat, or perspiration, is the fluid created by the sweat glands in the body when heat is given off through skin.
Hot flashes can cause sweating which can range from mild to excessive. Sometimes these are called hot flushes.
Night sweats are sweating and hot flashes that mostly happen when you’re sleeping .

Sweating

Sweating is your body’s way to lower its temperature. It normally happens when your body is exposed to heat, after exercise, because of hormone changes, or when people are feeling anxious and stressed. If you are sick, having a fever can also cause sweating. In people with cancer, sweating can also be caused by a fever, a tumor, or cancer treatment.

Hot flashes

Hot flashes involve sweating, but can be described as a sensation of heat or flushing. They might include flushing in the face or may be described as heat in other areas of the body. People who have hot flashes describe them as ranging from feeling just a sensation of warmth with mild sweat to having chills and enough perspiration to soak your clothes or bedding. If hot flashes are moderate to severe, sometimes you might have problems sleeping and fatigue, too.

Hot flashes often normally occur in women because of hormone changes during menopause. In women being treated with hormone therapy for breast cancer, hot flashes can have different severity and can be long-lasting.

Hot flashes can also occur in women being treated for other cancers with methods known to have early menopause or temporary hormone changes as a side effect. These hot flashes might be temporary or long-lasting depending on the treatment given.

Men being treated for prostate cancer who have surgery and androgen suppression therapy may have hot flashes for a period of time that might eventually go away. If your treatment plan includes any of these treatments or if you are having hot flashes, talk to your cancer care team so they can assess your specific situation.

What to look for

Feeling unusually hot in one or more areas of your body.
Having wet or damp skin any time of day, including during the night or waking up to find sheets damp.
Fever followed by heavy sweating as the body temperature goes back down
Chilling or shaking chills
Drenching sweats even when there’s no fever or the area around you doesn’t seem overly hot.

Night Sweats: Menopause & Other Causes

Overview

What are night sweats?

Night sweats are drenching sweats that soak clothes and bedding and disturb sleep. Night sweats occur when blood vessels expand, causing increased blood flow, and then contract. This causes a sudden wave of heat that spreads throughout the body, followed by sweating, reddening of the skin, and rapid heartbeat. Often, the night sweat is followed by a cold chill.

Possible Causes

What causes night sweats?

Night sweats are common is women who are going through perimenopause and menopause. Perimenopause is a normal, natural phase of a woman’s life. During this time, a woman’s ovaries produce less estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, and menstrual periods become irregular. The low or changing levels of estrogen in particular are the cause of night sweats.

Perimenopause usually happens between ages 40 and 50. It is the transition step before menopause. A woman has reached menopause when she hasn’t had a period for 12 months in a row. The average age of menopause is 51.

Are perimenopause and menopause the only causes of night sweats?

No. Night sweats can occur for a variety of reasons and can occur in both women and men. Other health conditions in which night sweats are seen include:

Infectious diseases, including tuberculosis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Colds, flu, fever
Bacterial infections, including endocarditis (inflammation of the inner lining of the heart), osteomyelitis (inflammation of bone/bone marrow), pyogenic abscess (pus in the liver)
Hormonal diseases, including overactive thyroid, diabetes, endocrine tumors
Substance abuse, including alcohol, heroin, cocaine
Hyperhidrosis (the body produces too much sweat without any known medical cause)
Neurologic disorders, including autonomic dysreflexia, autonomic neuropathy (damage to autonomic nerves), syringomyelia (cyst in the spinal cord), stroke
Panic disorder, anxiety
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD, a digestive disease)
Obstructive sleep apnea (a sleep disorder)
Cancer, including leukemia (blood and bone marrow cancer) and lymphoma (blood cell cancer)
Side effects of cancer treatments, including aromatase inhibitors, tamoxifen, opioids, steroids
Side effects of other medications, including some antidepressants and diabetes medications, steroids, acetaminophen, aspirin, and high blood pressure drugs

Women who experience other than menopause-related night sweats typically have other symptoms, as well. Only your doctor can determine the cause of your night sweats. Almost all causes are treatable. If you have ongoing night sweats, see your doctor.

Care and Treatment

How are night sweats treated?

Treatment depends on the cause of the night sweats. For menopause-related night sweats, hormone therapy – estrogen alone or with progestin – is one option. Hormone therapy can also help with other symptoms of menopause including bone loss and vaginal dryness. Estrogen replacement therapy should not be used in women with a history of breast cancer. All hormone therapies carry some risks, including blood clots and gallbladder inflammation.

Non-estrogen medications used to treat hot flashes include:

Megestrol (also used to treat breast and uterine cancers; increase appetite/reverse weight loss)
Antidepressants
Anticonvulsants (also used to control/prevent seizures)
Clonidine (also used to treat high blood pressure, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, and other conditions)

Non-drug treatments for night sweats from any cause include:

Wearing loose-fitting, lightweight, cotton pajamas
Using layered bedding that can be removed as needed during the night
Turning on a bedroom fan/opening windows
Sipping cool water throughout the night
Keeping a cold pack under a pillow, then turning your pillow over to rest your head on a cool surface
Avoiding common night sweat triggers such as alcohol, spicy foods, caffeine, cigarettes
De-stressing through deep breathing, relaxation, and exercise
Undergoing hypnosis to help relax and focus on feeling cool
Exercising daily. Walking, swimming, dancing, and bicycling are all good choices.

Do menopause-related night sweats ever end?

Night sweats go away after a few years in most women undergoing menopause. Unfortunately, other women may experience night sweats for the rest of their lives. However, the night sweats usually lessen in severity.

90,000 Head sweating – causes, diagnosis and treatment

Perspiration of the face and head (cranial hyperhidrosis) is an increased perspiration in the corresponding area. Excretion of sweat is often accompanied by localized redness of the skin and a feeling of heat, other symptoms depend on the cause of sweating. Hyperhidrosis can be caused by stress and nightmares, pathologies of the brain and peripheral nerves, hypertension. To find out the cause of increased sweating, a neurological examination with EEG and electroneurography, radiography, functional tests, laboratory tests are performed.Relief of unpleasant symptoms consists in the treatment of the underlying disease.

Causes of head sweating

Emotional shocks

The symptom often develops in stressful situations, with fright. Patients prone to emotional lability report that severe sweating of the head and face occurs during public speaking, passing exams, and important interviews. Sweating is so profuse that sweat trickles down the skin.Also, the face and ears turn red, the feeling of heat and rush of blood to the head worries. Such symptoms cause severe psychological discomfort, which is why patients try not to attract attention to themselves, avoid new acquaintances, which leads to social maladjustment.

Nightmares

Unpleasant dreams are common causes of head hyperhidrosis, especially in children. The patient sleeps restlessly at night, rushes about in bed, screams. At the same time, profuse sweating is observed, especially pronounced in the facial area and hairy part of the skin: hair can get wet, wet spots form on the pillowcase. After awakening, a person is not immediately aware of the surrounding reality, for some time he is in a state of severe fright. If nightmares bother several nights in a row, accompanied by a fear of falling asleep, you should seek medical help.

Vegeto-vascular dystonia

Disorders of the coordinated work of the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the nervous system increase the function of the sweat glands of the face, while increased sweating of the palms and armpits is also possible.Excessive sweating in the head with VSD provokes various reasons: excitement, the intake of spicy or too hot food, natural hormonal changes in women. Sweating starts suddenly, sweat beads on the forehead or runs down the face, and the hair becomes wet. Such attacks are repeated up to several times a day.

Hypertensive crisis

A sudden increase in blood pressure is combined with an expansion of the blood vessels of the scalp and face, which causes profuse sweating. According to the observations of patients, severe sweating occurs against the background of sharp headaches and dizziness. Often it makes a lot of noise in the ears, vision becomes indistinct (“flies flicker” before the eyes). In addition to the head, sweat is released and trickled down into the neck and upper body. The skin in this area is red and hot to the touch. Similar symptoms are more typical for the neurovegetative form of hypertensive crisis.

Lesion of cranial nerves

The development of excessive sweating of the head may be associated with irritation of peripheral nerve endings.The most common is Lucy-Frey syndrome, which is caused by damage to the ear-temporal nerve of various causes (after mumps, sialoadenitis, salivary gland surgery). In this disorder, the head sweats a lot in the area of the ear and temple on one side, which is more often manifested after eating. Unreasonable beads of sweat on the chin are a sign of string drum syndrome following a surgical injury.

Neurological diseases

Increased head sweating occurs in various pathologies of the brain that cause dysfunction of the sweat glands.In acute neurological problems, profuse sweating begins suddenly and is usually short-lived. In patients with chronic degenerative processes, the head sweats for a long time. Sweating can be accompanied by a decrease in memory and attention, speech disorders (long pauses between answers, incoherent speech), temporary paresis of the limbs. Hyperhidrosis is caused by reasons such as:

Parkinson’s disease. Sweating is a compensatory reaction to damage to the autonomic nervous system.In addition to increased sweating in the scalp and face, pathognomonic symptoms of the disease are noted: tremor of the fingers, gait disturbances, loss of memory, attention, and other cognitive functions.
Neurosyphilis. The defeat of the roots of the cranial nerves of an infectious cause often leads to disruption of the normal functioning of the sweat glands, therefore, the head sweats profusely in patients. In addition, debilitating headaches, dizziness, tinnitus are troubling.
Stroke. Increased sweating occurs in the event of damage to the center of thermoregulation in the hypothalamus. A characteristic feature: sweating is observed only on half of the head and neck (more often on the side of muscle paresis). At the same time, speech and movement disorders appear.

Traumatic brain injury

After head injuries, severe sweating may occur, which is caused by damage to the nerve structures of the brain responsible for thermoregulation, or by rupture of peripheral cranial nerves.The degree of impairment of the secretion of sweat glands depends on the cause of TBI and the extent of the injuries received. In addition to hyperhidrosis, excruciating headaches develop, accompanied by nausea and repeated vomiting, and loss of consciousness is possible. In severe injuries, local sweating is replaced by cold sweat.

Complications of pharmacotherapy

A side effect is usually noted a few minutes after the rapid intravenous administration of nitrates, agents used in the treatment of stable angina pectoris and acute coronary syndrome. The appearance of pronounced hyperhidrosis in the face and head is preceded by a feeling of heat. Sweating is combined with severe redness of the skin. Headaches and dizziness are typical, with a sudden rise out of bed, a fainting state is observed. The presence of such disorders should be reported to the attending physician to adjust the dosage of the drug.

Rare causes

Essential local hyperhidrosis .
Gustatory hyperhidrosis : symmetrical sweating due to the trigeminal reflex.
Dermatological diseases : organoid or diaphoretic nevus, exocrine-hairy angiomatous hamartoma, glomus tumors.
Hereditary diseases : Gamstorp-Wolfarth syndrome, congenital dyskeratosis (Zinsser-Engman-Cole syndrome).

Diagnostics

Identification of the cause provoking head sweating is carried out by the therapist, who either establishes the diagnosis on his own, or refers the patient to specialized specialists. A comprehensive examination is prescribed to assess the general condition of the body, to exclude organic pathology that could cause increased sweating. The following methods have the greatest diagnostic value:

Neurological examination . Initial examination includes assessment of superficial and deep tendon reflexes, cognitive performance and muscle response. Be sure to investigate dermographism, perform an orthostatic test and Danini-Ashner’s reception, which make it possible to exclude dysfunction of the autonomic system.
Electroneurography. Investigation of the functional capabilities of the peripheral nerves of the head region is carried out using their local stimulation with electrical impulses. The method is necessary to identify specific syndromes (Lucy-Frey, drum string). With possible brain damage, an EEG is shown.
X-ray examination . To exclude organic pathologies of the nervous system as the cause of hyperhidrosis of the face and head, the results of radiography are indicative. When suspicious formations, traumatic injuries are detected, CT or MRI of the brain is prescribed to clarify the nature of the disease.
Functional tests . Sweat production rate is assessed using quantitative methods – gravimetry and evapometry. Hyperhidrosis is spoken of when sweating rates exceed 10 mg per minute. To detect the area of the lesion, high-quality tests are effective – starch iodine test, ninhydrin test.
Laboratory Methods .The survey plan includes standard general and biochemical blood tests. In women, estrogen and progesterone levels are measured. In case of suspicion of cerebral syphilis, microscopic and bacteriological examination of cerebrospinal fluid, serological reactions are recommended.

In case of severe sweating of the head and face, which occurs against the background of intense skin hyperemia and excruciating headaches, blood pressure is measured, an ECG is recorded, and an ultrasound of the heart is performed, if necessary. If symptoms develop in emotionally labile patients, a psychiatric evaluation is required. Patients with primary local hyperhidrosis are advised to consult a geneticist.

Treatment

Help before diagnosis

To reduce the unpleasant sensations of increased sweating, it is necessary to observe hygiene standards, avoid wearing hats made of synthetic materials. It is advisable to exclude from the diet spicy and spicy foods, alcohol, which often increase sweating.Herbal sedatives can be used to relieve symptoms during public speaking. With local cranial hyperhidrosis, you should consult a specialist to identify the cause of the unpleasant manifestations and choose the optimal treatment tactics.

Treatment of head hyperhidrosis with botulinum toxin

Conservative therapy

If the disease that caused excessive sweating is identified, the symptoms disappear after the cause has been eliminated. In the acute period of injuries, neurological diseases, therapy is aimed at correcting vital functions and restoring the functional capabilities of the body, and the elimination of increased sweating is carried out by symptomatic means. When sweating is combined with erythrophobia, psychotherapeutic methods are effective. The following pharmaceutical preparations are used for the medical treatment of head hyperhidrosis:

Anticholinergic . Drugs from the atropine group selectively inhibit the activity of neurons in the sympathetic nervous system, thereby reducing sweat production.Medicines are taken orally or given intravenously.
Sedatives . For moderate hyperhidrosis, herbal and synthetic sedatives are effective. If the scalp sweats a lot, light “daytime” tranquilizers may be required, which do not affect performance.
Local remedies . Wipe the skin with aluminum chloride hexahydrate, which is diluted in alcohol.In some patients, local iontophoresis with saline solutions, anticholinergics is effective.
Antiparkinsonian drugs . With increased sweating caused by Parkinson’s disease, specific medications are prescribed that affect the metabolism of dopamine in the brain. Treatment is carried out in long courses.
Antihypertensive drugs . For rapid relief of a hypertensive crisis, loop diuretics, beta-blockers are administered.In the future, an individual scheme for the treatment of hypertension is selected for the prevention of exacerbations.
Botulinum toxin . If other drug methods are ineffective, intradermal administration of the drug is recommended. The drug allows you to reduce the number of nerve impulses entering the sweat glands, and thereby reduce sweating.

Surgical treatment

Hyperhidrosis of the head and face, refractory to conservative medical measures, requires surgical interventions.Most often, they resort to endoscopic sympathectomy (destruction or clipping of the sympathetic trunk), which is aimed at reducing the functional activity of the sweat glands. To eliminate the consequences of severe TBI as the leading cause of hyperhidrosis, removal of intracranial hematomas for decompression of brain structures is indicated, if necessary, bone fragments are repositioned.

90,000 Head sweating – causes, diagnosis and treatment

Perspiration of the face and head (cranial hyperhidrosis) is an increased perspiration in the corresponding area.Excretion of sweat is often accompanied by localized redness of the skin and a feeling of heat, other symptoms depend on the cause of sweating. Hyperhidrosis can be caused by stress and nightmares, pathologies of the brain and peripheral nerves, hypertension. To find out the cause of increased sweating, a neurological examination with EEG and electroneurography, radiography, functional tests, laboratory tests are performed. Relief of unpleasant symptoms consists in the treatment of the underlying disease.