When you think of night sweats as a condition, chances are that you think of children having nightmares, or women diagnosed with the start of menopause. However, it’s important to be aware that men are just as capable of suffering from night sweats as anyone else. There are various common causes of night sweats in an individual, from minor problems to problematic conditions that should be regarded with medical attention and intervention as quickly as possible. After you have ruled out any possible environmental factors, it is important to contact your doctor as quickly as possible to attempt to determine why you are suffering from said condition.

Symptoms of Night Sweats

Typically, people who suffer from night sweats will wake up in the middle of the night to find their bedding and bedclothes drenched – even if they themselves, and the temperature of their bedroom is cold. Some symptoms of night sweats include:

  • Sweat-drenched clothes
  • Disturbed sleeping patterns
  • Tossing and turning during the night
  • Itching and skin irritation
  • Excessive discomfort

Although night sweats are regularly annoying, they are usually harmless so long as there are no underlying conditions in play.

Some Common Causes of Night Sweats

Night sweats are sometimes referred to as nocturnal hyperhidrosis – a condition that creates uncontrollable sweating although there’s no obvious cause. Avoiding triggers, such as spicy food, caffeine, and alcohol, can be a good way to reduce the problem. Sometimes, there are underlying conditions that lead to night sweats as a kind of side effect. For example:

1. Obstructive sleep apnea can lead to excessive sweating during the night.
2. Antidepressants and other medications can lead to sweating as a side effect. Alcohol abuse and drug misuse can also act as a leading cause.
3. Low blood sugar or hypoglycemia that is typically associated with diabetes
4. Infections such as tuberculosis
5. Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, wherein stomach acid leaks into the gullet
6. Certain forms of cancer may also contribute to night sweat symptoms

Low Testosterone Levels

One of the common causes of night sweats in men is lower than average = testosterone levels, according to experts. This is often more common in older men, as when a man gets older, his level of testosterone begins to decrease until he experiences andropause – a condition that is very similar to a woman’s menopause. Sometimes, the problem of night sweats are one of the numerous symptoms that can occur as a result of this condition, and to reduce such symptoms, a large number of men opt to try therapy procedures and hormone treatment. This can also be common in individuals who suffer from lower than usual testosterone levels because of therapy for prostate cancer.

Respiratory Infections

In some instances, respiratory infections are one of the common causes of night sweats in women and men alike. Often, infections of the respiratory system are overlooked in the diagnosis of night sweats. Pneumonia, for example, is an infection that affects your lungs, causing issues such as chills and fever – which can lead to nocturnal problems.