Night Sweats and Headaches: Possible Hypoglycemia?


Nighttime perspiration is rather typical. Sweating when sleeping may range from minor to excessive, depending on factors such as the temperature of your bedroom and what you eat before bed.

However, a health problem may arise if you often wake up with wet pajamas and sheets.

What Makes you Sweat at Night?

It can be challenging to figure out why people sweat at night. But if you have other signs along with nighttime sweating, they could help you figure out what's wrong.

Your Surroundings

Whether or not you sweat at night could depend on your room, mattress, and clothes. excessively many heated blankets can make your bed excessively hot. Your mattress or garments may be overly heavy or airtight. You can stop night sweats by changing your surroundings.

What You Do at Night

Night sweats can be caused by things outside of your sleeping surroundings. These things are −

  • Getting drunk at night

  • having spicy foods for dinner or as a late-night snack

  • working out before going to bed

Stop doing these things before bed to see if you sweat less at night.

Worry and Stress

Anxiety and stress are mental health issues that manifest physically. Sweating is a common symptom.

If you have night sweats because of worry or anxiety, you might also −

  • have recurring thoughts of worry, dread, and fear

  • find it hard to think about anything else but how you feel

  • have trouble getting to sleep or bad dreams

  • have trouble with your stomach and digestion

  • have aches, pains, or muscle tightness for no apparent reason

Issues with Hormones

Hormonal problems and hormone illnesses can all cause you to sweat often at night.

These things are −

  • Menopause

  • Low sperm count

  • Carcinoid syndrome

  • Hyperthyroidism

  • Weight changes for no reason

  • Changes in energy level

  • Headaches

Side Effects of Drugs

Some drugs can make you sweat at night as a side effect. If you just started taking a new medicine and are sweating at night, talk to the doctor who gave you the medicine.

Some popular drugs are known to make people sweat at night.

  • drugs, such as cortisone and prednisone

  • Tricyclic and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) drugs treat depression.

  • Medications like aspirin and acetaminophen can help with the pain.

  • Diabetes medicines that help bring down blood sugar

  • Medications for hormone therapy

If the night sweats make it hard for you to sleep, your doctor may offer a different drug or give you tips on dealing with the side effects.

Hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis causes excessive sweating that others may notice. It could disrupt your life. But it can be inconvenient and require control. Even without a reason, you may have the condition. It could also indicate a health issue or medicine adverse effect.

GERD Returns Stomach Acid to the Food Pipe.

You can have GERD day or night, sometimes making you sweat at night.

GERD can cause more than just night sweats.

  • Heartburn, usually after eating.

  • esophageal cramps or chest pain

  • Having trouble eating

  • When liquid or food comes back up after you swallow it, this is called reflux.

  • sleep issues

  • breathing problems, like coughing or a worsening of asthma symptoms

Most of the time, GERD is identified if you have this at least twice a week or more severe reflux once a week or more.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a disease in which you stop breathing while sleeping, usually more than once.

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when throat tissue blocks breathing. A central nervous system disease can cause central sleep apnea.

If you suffer from sleep apnea, you may also −

  • drowsy during the day

  • wake up a lot at night or sleep badly

  • wake up and find it hard to breathe

  • have trouble concentrating during the day

  • pain in the head

Sleep apnea untreated can cause heart and respiratory issues.

A 2018 study indicated that menopausal women who sweat at night may also have sleep apnea.

See a doctor for night sweats and other sleep apnea symptoms.

Infections that Hurt

Night sweats can also be caused by some dangerous infections, such as −

  • Tuberculosis is an illness that usually affects the lungs and is very contagious.

  • Endocarditis is an illness of your heart valves.

  • Osteomyelitis is a bone illness.

  • brucellosis is an illness that you can catch from animals that have it or

  • Products from sick animals that haven't been cooked

  • HIV

  • illnesses from fungi

  • Mono is a disease caused by a virus.

  • Other health problems

Things You can Do

Try these ways to stop night sweats if you don't have any other signs that could mean something more serious −

  • Get a window open. Sleep in a more comfortable room. Leave a window cracked open at night, or use a fan.

  • Change your sheets. Replace fluffy or heavy blankets with sheets, light quilts, or sheets that pull wetness away from the skin. You may not even need to buy new sheets or blankets if you get rid of extra clothing and sleep on lighter layers.

  • Change when you exercise. If you work out right before bed, it could make you sweat more during the night.

  • Avoid sweat triggers. Avoid eating hot food, smoking cigarettes, or drinking alcohol right before bed.

When Night Sweats are a Big Deal, you should see a Doctor

If you suffer night sweats occasionally and don't have trouble sleeping, don't worry. Still, notify your doctor.

If you have difficulties sleeping, night sweats, or other concerns, visit a doctor.

Some possible dangerous signs to look out for are −

  • Weight loss for no reason

  • Body hurts and aches

  • High temperature and shivers

  • Persistent or red cough

  • Diarrhea or pain in the stomach

A doctor can help you figure out why you sweat at night and, if necessary, make a treatment plan.

How to Figure out why you Sweat at Night

Your doctor will use more than one way to figure out why you sweat a lot at night or wake you up. Some of these are −

  • Talking about your symptoms, your health background, and the medicines you take

  • Looking at your family's past

  • Making a physical checkup

  • Getting lab or imaging tests to find out what's wrong with a patient

If your doctor thinks you have a health problem that needs expert care, they may send you to a specialist.

Conclusion

Many things can cause nighttime sweating.

First, check your clothes, mattress, and room temperature. Check your bedtime routine.

Changing these items may not stop morning sweating. To sleep better again, see a doctor.

Updated on: 10-May-2023

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