10 Causes of Night Sweats In Men

By dr. mera

Article Sources

Article Sources

• 1. Arnardottir ES, Janson C, Bjornsdottir E, et al Nocturnal sweating—a common symptom of obstructive sleep apnoea: the Icelandic sleep apnoea cohort. BMJ Open 2013;3:e002795. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2013-002795

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Night sweats are episodes of excessive perspiration that occur during sleep. This symptom is distinct from sweating due to overheating, which normally can be attributed to the characteristics of a person’s environment (i.e. high room temperature or the use of heavy blankets). People who experience this symptom often describe it as a drenching sweat that requires a change of clothes and/or bed sheets. In general, there are multiple causes of night sweats and most of them can be found in both men and women. However, a cause of night sweats in women might also include menopause (hot flashes). Conversely, some treatments for prostate cancer may also trigger the symptom in men.

Given that the brain’s system for temperature regulation is influenced by many factors, it can be hard to determine exactly why a person develops night sweats. Thus, if you experience this symptom often and it is accompanied by weight loss, pain, and/or fever, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor. If warranted, a professional will run different tests to establish a diagnosis and rule out possible serious causes.

1. Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes Mellitus encompasses a group of chronic metabolic diseases characterized by an increase in blood sugar (glucose) levels above the established normal thresholds. This usually results from issues with insulin secretion and/ or action. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that, among other functions, promotes the absorption of glucose from the blood into the tissues so it can be transformed into energy.

People with diabetes that require insulin as a form of treatment, are especially prone to developing night sweats as a consequence of nocturnal hypoglycemia or low blood sugar levels in the evening. This condition involves a drop in blood sugar levels below 70mg/dl (approximately) and, although it is more common in people with diabetes, it can also occur in other circumstances (i.e. alcohol consumption before bedtime and infections). In diabetes, nocturnal hypoglycemia usually occurs as a consequence of skipping meals or ingesting small amounts of food after the usual nighttime dose of insulin. However, it can also occur if an excessive dose of insulin is administered (i.e. the dose of insulin has been recently adjusted by the doctor), if the person is sick, or if the insulin is defective (i.e. expired or not stored adequately). Signs and symptoms of this condition include night sweats, restlessness during sleep, nightmares, clammy or sweaty skin, morning headaches, and tiredness.