Cold Sweats at Night

Sweating after tough physical exercise, or in humid and hot weather conditions is understood, and it is very much natural. But what about abnormal and sudden sweating in a person, specially at night? This condition is certainly not normal, and the individual should seek medical intervention, if the occurrence of cold sweats is consistent.

There is no single cause behind these. Some preventive home remedies can treat them, and lower their occurrence to some extent. Let's discuss the causes and treatment for this condition in detail, in the coming paragraphs.

Cold sweats, in medical terms, is referred to as hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating). The common causes that lead to this excessive and abnormal sweating, in men and women, are as follows.

It's important to note that in cold sweats the surrounding atmospheric conditions play a minimal role, and it occurs when the surroundings are normal (so the sweating is not normal)

• Anxiety, stress and severe pain from injuries, are some of the common causes that lead to these sweats. 

Anxiety triggers increased heartbeat, resulting in profuse sweating. Excessive sweating cools the skin, and so the sweat is referred to as cold sweat.

• Shortness of breath in patients also leads to profuse sweating, as lack of oxygen leads to stress, and stress to sweating.
• Shock, trauma, and fear are also the reasons for cold sweating. This is because when the body is stressed, certain hormones are released, which leads to sweating.

• Certain infections are also associated with night sweating. Infections like tuberculosis, endocarditis, osteomyelitis, abscesses and HIV infection, also cause profuse sweating or hyperhidrosis.

• Lymphoma, is a type of cancer which is commonly associated with night sweats. In fact, such profuse night sweating is considered an early sign of cancer.
• Use of certain medications can also trigger night sweating, especially the use of anti-depressant pills. 

Other medications like the ones taken to lower fever, can also cause night sweating in some people, especially children.

• Low blood sugar condition in diabetic patients is one of the reasons for cold night sweats. People with neurologic conditions and hormone disorders, are also prone to sweating at night.

• Menopause is also one of the reasons that women may wake up in cold sweats. It also causes hot sweat flashes at night due to a drop in the estrogen levels. Hormonal changes and stress cause these sweats during pregnancy.
• People suffering from sleep apnea and eplepsia, may also experience them while sleeping.
• Excessive consumption of junk and spicy food along with alcohol, is also a cause.

Night sweats as such cure on their own, but the frequent occurrence of these sweat sessions need immediate medical attention. For the doctor to determine the right treatment path, it is necessary to determine the underlying cause for the cold sweats. It's necessary to discuss with your doctor your lifestyle, as well as the medical history of any disease.

Certain lifestyle changes are suggested by the doctor, before proceeding to any sort of medications, as the use of certain medications can cause side effects in the patient.

Lifestyle changes, in the form of reducing the intake of alcohol and junk food, along with reducing the amount of smoking, are usually suggested by the doctor. Adherence to a diet rich in all the essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, also helps to some extent.

As stress is one of the causes of this condition, yoga and other healing exercises help in the long run. Drinking lots of water also helps. Only a doctor can only determine the right treatment option, as it depends largely on the causes behind each case.

Keep stress at bay to fight these 'sleep disturbing' cold sweats, along with following a rich diet, and proper lifestyle.