10 Causes of Night Sweats In Men
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.
2. Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is a medical condition that involves the abnormal function of a gland located in your neck, also known as the thyroid gland. Normally, this organ releases thyroid hormones, such as thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), that are in charge of regulating the body’s use of energy (among other functions). However, if the thyroid becomes overactive and produces more hormones than needed, it causes a condition known as hyperthyroidism.
An overactive thyroid may cause several signs and symptoms such as appetite changes, irritability, shakiness, weight loss, frequent bowel movements, increased heart rate, palpitations, difficulty sleeping, muscle weakness, irregular menstruations, and skin/hair problems (i.e. hair thinning). Characteristically, hyperthyroidism can also cause heat intolerance because it can cause your body temperature to rise. Turns out, that among their many functions, thyroid hormones also regulate body temperature. Thus, it is not uncommon for people with this condition to experience excessive perspiration and night sweats.
3. Anxiety Disorders
Anyone can experience anxiety at some point in their life. Nonetheless, anxiety can be the main symptom of several psychiatric disorders (anxiety disorders) including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, phobia-related disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), etc. In these conditions, anxiety is more than a temporary sensation. Generally, it involves intense and excessive worry or fear concerning everyday situations, sometimes even without an external stimulus. Additionally, this symptom is usually persistent and it interferes with a person’s daily activities.
People with anxiety disorders can experience excessive perspiration, especially during a severe episode of anxiety. Sometimes, these episodes can occur at night and cause night sweats. When present, this symptom can lead to further anxiety and can reduce sleep quality. If you find yourself experiencing night sweats as a consequence of anxiety, don’t hesitate to ask for help and seek professional attention.
4. Medications
Available medications are often effective in the treatment of medical conditions. However, this does not necessarily mean that they don’t cause unwanted side effects. Specifically, a variety of drugs can contribute to night sweats. Over-the-counter antipyretics or fever reducers, such as acetaminophen and aspirin are commonly reported as causes of night sweats. Moreover, medications used to lower blood pressure (antihypertensives), treat clinical depression (anti-depressants), or for hormone replacement may also cause this symptom. Finally, substances of abuse such as alcohol and heroin may also be responsible for night sweats.
Given that medications can also cause night sweats, when speaking to your doctor about this symptom, be sure to report any medication or substance you might be taking. It may also be helpful for diagnosis to document episodes of night sweats in a notebook along with their duration, and associated symptoms and medications. If warranted, your doctor will adjust or change your medication to decrease uncomfortable symptoms.
5. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
Several infections are associated with night sweats. However, as stated, night sweats can have many other possible causes. The Human Immunodeficiency Virus, also known as HIV, is a virus that targets the body’s immune system. Specifically, it attacks certain immune cells (lymphocytes) that usually help the body to fight infections. As a result, a person with this condition is more vulnerable to other infections and diseases. Moreover, HIV is transmitted through certain bodily fluids during activities such as unprotected intercourse and the sharing of drug injection equipment. If you think that you were exposed to HIV, request an HIV test immediately.
During the acute phase of infection or within 2-4 weeks after acquiring the disease, some people can experience a flu-like illness that involves signs and symptoms such as fever, chills, night sweats, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and muscle aches. However, some people might not experience symptoms at all during this phase. If untreated, HIV can rapidly progress to a life-threatening stage of the infection, also known as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). During this phase, profuse night sweats along with other unspecific signs and symptoms may also be present (i.e. recurrent fever, extreme fatigue, oral/ genital sores, swollen lymph nodes). Importantly, manifestations in AIDS may be related to other illnesses or opportunistic infections.
6. Leukemia
Leukemia is a malignant disease that affects the body’s blood-forming tissues, such as the bone marrow and the lymphatic system. As a consequence, increased quantities of immature or abnormal blood cells (i.e. leukocytes) that don’t function properly are produced by these tissues. This suppresses the body’s ability to produce normal blood cells, leading to the signs and symptoms of the disease. There are many types of leukemia; thus, the presentation may vary. Equally, treatment options and outlooks for each type of malignancy can be very different.
Some common signs and symptoms of leukemia include night sweats, severe fatigue, fever, swollen lymph nodes, frequent infections, weight loss, easy bruising or bleeding, red spots in the skin, and bone pain. In leukemia, night sweats can be either triggered by the body’s inflammatory response in an attempt to kill abnormal cells or by infections that may affect patients with a compromised immune system. In addition, many treatments for leukemia (i.e. chemotherapy) can also raise body temperature and cause night sweats.
7. Hodgkin Lymphoma
Hodgkin Lymphoma is a rare cancer that affects the lymphatic system, which is part of the immune system. This system is made up of a network of structures known as lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, and certain organs. The fluid (lymph) that runs through it contains white blood cells (lymphocytes) that are in charge of fighting infections and some diseases. However, in Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of lymphocyte (B- lymphocyte) begins to multiply abnormally in lymph nodes located in different parts of the body, causing the various manifestation of the disease. Nevertheless, Hodgkin Lymphoma most commonly starts in the lymph nodes located in the chest, under the arms, or the neck (upper body).
This serious medical condition can affect people of any age; however, it mostly targets young adults (between 20-40 years old) and people over the age of 70. Among the most common signs and symptoms of Hodgkin Lymphoma are night sweats, fever, and weight loss, also known as “B symptoms”. In fact, it is estimated that night sweats and fever are found in roughly a quarter of patients with this condition. Sometimes, drenching night sweats are the only presenting complaint in these patients. Moreover, other possible manifestations of the disease include fatigue, severe itching, increased sensitivity to the effects of alcohol (pain), and the painless swelling of lymph nodes (i.e. neck, groin, armpits).
8. Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that generally affects the lungs. However, it can also affect other tissues and manifest in unexpected ways. TB is a serious bacterial disease that can be transmitted on tiny droplets (airborne) from an infected person’s airways (i.e. sneezes, coughs). However, in many cases a person that becomes infected might not even develop symptoms at all (latent TB). Moreover, it is known as active TB when a person develops signs and symptoms of the disease; however, for some people, manifestations might not begin until months or years after the initial infection.
Night sweats are among the general symptoms that can be present in TB, regardless of the location of the infection. Other general symptoms of tuberculosis include weight loss, fatigue, changes in appetite, and fever. In addition, if the disease affects the lungs (pulmonary TB), it can present with a persistent cough, chest pain, and the coughing up of blood or blood-stained mucus (hemoptysis). If you have a history of traveling to an area where TB is common among the population and you are showing several of the signs and symptoms of this disease, be sure to seek medical attention.
9. Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a disorder that involves an important decrease in the amount of air that enters the airways during sleep, even in the presence of a breathing effort. As a consequence, breathing in sleep apnea becomes disordered and it repeatedly stops and starts. There are several types of sleep apnea (i.e. obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea); however, many of their signs and symptoms can overlap. People with sleep apnea can experience several signs and symptoms including loud snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, gasping during sleep, difficulty staying asleep, and irritability. Most importantly, this condition can present with episodes in which breathing stops altogether during sleep, which is normally reported by the patient’s partner or a family member.
Frequent night sweats can be another marker for untreated sleep apnea. In fact, it is estimated that one-third of people with this condition experience night sweats. Furthermore, people with sleep apnea are three times more likely to report the symptom than the general population1Arnardottir 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. Fortunately, night sweats are responsive to treatment in most patients with this sleep disorder. Thus, physicians should always rule out sleep apnea in patients that report excessive nocturnal sweating.
10. Prostate Cancer
The prostate is a gland of the male reproductive system that is located below the bladder and is traversed by the urethra. Moreover, the prostate’s function is to produce a fluid that makes up an important part of the seminal fluid (semen). Although rare, patients with solid tumors that involve the prostate (prostate cancer) can also experience night sweats.
Patients that receive certain types of treatments for prostate cancer can also experience night sweats. For instance, hormone therapy for the disease lowers the levels of testosterone and androgens (other sex hormones). Thus, men receiving this treatment can experience signs and symptoms of hormone deprivation: hot flashes with profuse sweating (including night sweats), a decreased desire for intercourse, fatigue, irritability, depression, and problems having or maintaining an erection. Furthermore, a treatment for advanced prostate cancer that involves the removal of both testicles (bilateral orchiectomy) can also cause symptoms of hormone deprivation. However, orchiectomy is not commonly used in practice nowadays.
