Why Men Get Night Sweats And What To Do About It

Night sweats can be extremely uncomfortable and disruptive to sleep. Even though night sweats are not always a cause for alarm, there can sometimes be underlying causes that can be addressed to help ease their impact. Although not all night sweats are caused by the same thing, there are some common contributors in men:

1. Stress and Anxiety: Some research has suggested that in response to stress, our sweat glands become more responsive. This can lead to feelings of dizziness, shortness of breath and elevated heart rate if it becomes serious. Relaxation techniques and therapy can be helpful in managing the effects of these feelings on the propensity of sweating at night. Light, slow and deep nasal breathing before bed can also help to ease stress and anxiety.

2. Medication Side Effects: Certain medications can have adverse side effects that include night sweats. Some common examples include antidepressants and blood pressure medication. You may want to talk to your doctor about these possible side effects if you are taking these medications and experiencing night sweats.

3. Obstructive Sleep Apnoea: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a common cause of night sweats in men. A study in 2013 found that roughly 30% of men with OSA experienced night sweats. This is suspected to be related to a rise in the stress hormone cortisol that occurs because of apnoea events. Treatments for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea vary depending on the patient’s severity, and include Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) treatment, Mandibular Advancement Splints (MAS), weight loss and positional devices.

4. Hyperhidrosis: Hyperhidrosis is a condition that results in the sweat glands producing too much sweat. This issue is fairly common and is often associated with other underlying conditions including type 2 diabetes or infections. Addressing the factors that may be contributing to hyperhidrosis can help to alleviate the severity of night sweats.

5. Low Testosterone Levels: Hormonal imbalances are more likely to occur as we age. Declining testosterone is a well-recognised factor associated with aging in men. This can eventually result in side effects including night sweats. Eating enough healthy food, engaging in frequent exercise and taking time to practise stress-reduction techniques can all help to rebalance testosterone levels.

6. Hyperthyroidism: Hyperthyroidism refers to a condition where the thyroid gland is producing too much thyroid hormone, leading to irritability, weight loss, anxiety, tremors, and increased heart rate. It can also be a cause of excessive sweating at night. Speaking with your doctor and/or endocrinologist may be important to address this underlying issue.

If any of the above points resonate with you, you should speak with your family doctor and/or a sleep physician. If a sleep disorder is suspected, your doctor may recommend having a sleep study. This involves attaching wires to your body. Sleep studies can be conducted in-hospital or at home, and can aid your doctor in determining whether a sleep disorder is present, its severity and what treatment options are available. Sleep disorders are generally easily diagnosed and treated under the clinical supervision of your doctor. Sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnoea, are important to treat, as the consequences of leaving it untreated, can increase one’s risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stroke, type 2 diabetes and depression.

Sove CPAP Clinic is a leading, independent and comprehensive provider of Respiratory & Sleep Disorder services with a network of clinics nationwide. We provide eligible patients with access to bulk billed sleep studies, Respiratory/Sleep specialist consultations and sleep apnoea treatment services.* Speak with your doctor or contact Sove CPAP Clinic on 1300 76 29 39. * Medicare criteria apply