Real Man

Night Sweats

     Sweating is body’s natural response to control body temperatures. On very hot nights, an individual may sweat to get the excess heat out of one’s body, that is carried away by sweat as it evaporates. It is also a detoxifying process in which the body increases the rate of perspiration to get rid of excess toxins. Alcoholics may experience night sweats when the body does exactly the same. Also, certain food may trigger night sweats in men. For example, red meat, onions, garlic based food and highly spicy foods may be one of the causes of night sweats in men. Also, stress has been cited as one of the reasons of night sweats in men.

     Medical Conditions that Cause Night Sweats in Men

     Andropause: Just like women hit menopause, men also experience andropause. Andropause is a common cause of nights sweats in men. As the body tries to adjust with the change in levels of hormone, hot flashes and night sweats in men is a common occurrence. The problem resolves all by itself as it does with women.

     Infections: Night sweats in men can be due to bacterial or viral infections. Tuberculosis has been classically associated with night sweats in men. Other than this, there are other more serious reasons like endocarditis which is inflammation of the heart valves, osteomyelitis which is inflammation within the bone and abscesses. Even AIDS is associated with sweating at nights.

     Cancer: Night sweats can be one of the early symptoms of cancer, most commonly lymphoma. As the body temperatures fluctuate during cancer, an individual may experience night sweats.

     Medications: In case, an individual doesn’t have a tumor or any physical symptoms that may indicate infection of any kind, then he must check the medicines that he is taking. In absence of any apparent cause of night sweats, medications are often the culprit. Antidepressants are leading the list of medicines that cause night sweats in men. Almost 8% to 22% of individuals taking these medicines experience night sweats.

     Hypoglycemia: Low blood sugar levels or hypoglycemia can cause night sweats in men. Even individuals who take insulin or anti diabetic medicines orally experience night sweats as their blood sugar levels dip due to the medicines.

     Other common reasons of night sweats in men are hormone disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, neurological problems or simply old age. However, those that suffer from irritable bowel syndrome suffer from night sweats only after they have had spicy foods.

     When to See the Doctor?

     As already mentioned, night sweats in men is one of the normal fall outs of the body, trying to adjust with the physiological changes that the body undergoes with age or this phenomenon can be an indication of some serious medical condition. However, the first thing a man needs to do when he experiences night sweats is to see if he has excessive sweating while sleeping. To determine this, one should wear a pair of light pajamas, keep the windows open and sleep in comfortable bed linen. If excessive night sweats in men still persists, one should seek medical advice.

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