Night sweats

Nights sweats are a surprisingly common problem, especially in middle-aged people. (Journal of Family Practice 2002;51:452–6).

The most common reason is the menopause in women. Alcohol seems to be a common cause, so it might be worth seeing whether stopping alcohol altogether would solve the problem. If you are overweight and a snorer, you may have ‘sleep apnoea’, which causes restless sleep and, in some cases, night sweats. Some people with restless legs syndrome wake with sweating as well as with the discomfort or jerking of the legs (Annals of Family Medicine 2006;4:423–6). If the sweats are a new problem that has followed a sore throat, you might have glandular fever (infectious mononucleosis), which is a common viral infection that usually clears up in 1–2 weeks.

You should discuss this problem with your doctor, who will wish to rule out an overactive thyroid, so will ask you about nervousness, palpitations and weight loss. It is also worth checking whether medication might be the cause. Aspirin or acetaminophen (paracetamol) are the most common culprits; propranolol, pilocarpine and some antidepressants (tricyclics, vanlafaxine, fluoxetine) can also encourage sweating. People taking treatment for diabetes can have night sweats if their blood sugar falls too low in the night, so if you are diabetic you should certainly report the sweats to your diabetes doctor

All doctors were taught in medical school that night sweats can be a symptom of tuberculosis. Therefore, when a patient says they have night sweats, doctors always consider tuberculosis, but this is actually a very unusual cause. Other serious causes include HIV infection and lymphoma.

Written by: Dr Margaret Stearn
Edited by: Dr Margaret Stearn
Last updated: Saturday, February 13th 2010

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Comments on this article

Posted by MR DR on 05/03/2010 at 01:58:42 pm

I often experience have heavy night time sweats which wake my partner and wet the bed sheets and her. the sweating soaks through any vests i wear and is worse after the consumption of alcohol. I am a slender build and do not easily gain weight, however often feel tired through broken sleep. Is there anything i can try?? I apply deodorant before bed however the sweat is most worse from my back and thighs, legs and bum

Posted by SANDRA on 19/01/2010 at 09:12:00 am

I have an underactive thyroid and for the past month or so sweat a lot as soon as I do light household chores and am slightly overweight

Posted by smelly night time sweat on 04/11/2009 at 01:35:00 pm

I sometimes (4 x per week) wake stinking of sweat, but it reminds me of animal fat, my pj`s and hair are soaked, the bedroom is cool, i dont drink or smoke. I wear cotton everything! docs dismisses me

Posted by joanne on 29/09/2009 at 04:58:00 pm

been geting up during night at the least 3times to dry myself with towel due to nightsweats every part of my body including my face im getting very tired husband getting wet wat can i do

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