While it isn't uncommon for women who are undergoing symptoms of menopause to complain about having hot flashes and night sweats, there seems to be less information available for the causes of night sweats in men. Night sweats can happen at random or have be dealt with on a regular basis, but one thing is for certain – they are uncomfortable and can sometimes cause one to worry whether or not these are linked to another more dangerous health issue.
1.) Stress And Anxiety
One thing that has been linked to night sweats in men is the level of stress and anxiety felt throughout the day. You may have heard about people waking up in a cold sweat due to a bad dream or negative thoughts while they were snoozing. This can easily be caused by stress throughout the day, as many experts believe that your mind goes over the facts of the day while your brain rests.
You can remedy this by calming yourself before bed through meditation, a hot bath, a cup of herbal tea, or a soothing massage. Anything that helps you relax and forget about anxiety before you sleep can help to reduce this intensified pattern of nocturnal sweating.
2.) Medication And Hormone Changes
As mentioned above, in women, night sweats seem to related a lot to hormonal changes, so the causes of night sweats in men could also be related to changes in the body's natural chemicals. Something that many men don't realize is that different medications you take can also have an effect on these hormonal secretions, which could result into late night sweating.
Changes in serotonin and other chemicals can be altered by medication that you take every day and never think twice about. Patients who take prescriptions for depression, for example, have been known to suffer from night sweats. This does not mean that you should discontinue your medication, if you feel like it might be the cause of these sweats. In fact, the only time a patient should discontinue taking a prescription is by order of the attending doctor.
3.) Serious Problems
If none of the above-mentioned reasons could be affecting your sweating at night then you should make an effort to speak to a physician about possible causes. It might be nothing out of the ordinary, but it could also be something quite serious. Cancer, HIV, and a variety of other illnesses have been known to increase sweating at different times throughout the day, including at times when the body is sleeping.
The causes of night sweats in men could be many, but there has been no conclusive proof to show that these sweats are due to any one particular stimulant. If your doctor checks you over and there is still no underlying factor to determine the cause, you may be a hot sleeper. Try removing the covers from your body when you fall asleep at night. Sleep in light breathable fabric, if you wear pajamas, and open the window before bed. If you live in an area where the climate is usually warm, you can also utilize a fan or air conditioning unit.