Night sweats

Recurrent episodes of profuse sweating occurring during sleep, unrelated to environmental temperature or bedding, reflecting abnormal autonomic activation or systemic disease processes.

Causes

• Hormonal and endocrine causes affecting thermoregulation

  • Menopause

  • Pregnancy

  • Postpartum hormonal changes

  • Low testosterone

  • Hyperthyroidism

  • Hypoglycemia

• Medications affecting autonomic function or metabolism

  • SSRIs

  • Corticosteroids

  • Analgesics

  • Antipyretics

• Infectious causes

  • Tuberculosis

  • HIV/AIDS

  • Infective endocarditis

• Malignant causes

  • Lymphoma

  • Leukemia

• Sleep-related and neurological causes

  • Obstructive sleep apnea

  • Stroke

  • Autonomic nervous system disorders

• Psychological and stress-related causes

  • Anxiety

  • Panic episodes

  • Chronic stress

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease

• Alcohol or substance withdrawal