Night sweats, medically known as sleep hyperhidrosis, refers to sweating at night, which is not caused by overheated sleeping like overheated rooms & blankets leading to drenched sleepwear and sheets, etc. Night sweats are rarely a disorder in itself, it is generally considered to be a symptom of other problems. Most common problems that are associated with nighttime sweats are menopause, low blood sugar, hormonal imbalance, etc. Many other symptoms are associated with night sweats like chills, hot flashes, mood changes, vaginal dryness, etc. Depending upon the triggering cause.
Medical conditions which could lead to night sweats:
• Hormonal shifts such as with menopause and perimenopause, adolescence and pregnancy. A decrease in the levels of testosterone in men can also lead to night sweating.
• Infections like tuberculosis; endocarditis, osteomyelitis, abscesses, and HIV infection.
• Cancer (especially lymphoma)
• Hypoglycemia
• Hormone disorders like pheochromocytoma and hyperthyroidism.
• Neurologic conditions like stroke and neuropathy
• Acid reflux.
• Idiopathic night sweating
Medications which could result in night sweats
Night sweats are a common side effect of many medications, such as:
• Depression medications (antidepressants)
• Drugs used to treat diabetes (hypoglycaemic agents)
• Drugs used in hormone therapy for blocking the production of certain hormones

WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR?
Schedule a visit with your doctor if night sweats:
• Occur frequently
• Disturbs your sleep
• Are accompanied by other problems like fever, weight loss, localized pain, cough, diarrhea, etc.
• Come on after menopause symptoms are not present for months to years
Treatment
The treatment of night sweats is directly related to the underlying cause. It is generally cured by treating those conditions. In most cases, the first step is to correct hormonal irregularities, adjusting medications and attending to contributing factors like cancer, infections, etc.
If there is no direct, determined cause of the excessive sweating then the diagnosis will be idiopathic sleep hyperhidrosis then the treatment will consist of both prevention and management techniques which include certain methods like
• sleeping in a cool environment, non-synthetic nightclothes and sheets
• avoiding over bundling or using a heavy comforter
• avoiding alcohol and caffeine
• applying a clinical strength antiperspirant on underarms, hands, feet, hairline, etc
• eat 2 to 3 hours before sleeping
• following low fat and low sugar diet
• using air-conditioning
• practicing relaxation breathing exercises before bed and even you wake up with a night sweat
• daily exercise
• maintaining BMI
• drinking plenty of water during the day