While these causes of night sweats may be normal, other causes may exist. Medical causes of night sweats may exist as well. Many healthcare professionals may describe night sweats as severe hot flashes that may cause the sleeper to wake up drenched in sweat.

Menopause may cause night sweats, as the hot flashes associated with menopausal women may experience cause excessive night sweating. Idiopathic hyperhidrosis may be a condition in which the body, for reasons unknown, may produce too much sweat. This may also cause night sweats in some individuals.

Other possible causes of night sweats may include infections, cancer, the use of certain medications and hormone disorders. Hypoglycemia, which refers to low levels of blood glucose, may cause night sweats as well. Also, diabetics may experience this condition.

Certain neurological conditions such as stroke, autonomic dysreflexia, post-traumatic syringomyelia and autonomic neuropathy may also cause night sweats. Anxiety and other emotional disorders may also contribute to night sweating. Gastrointestinal reflux disease may also cause night sweats in some individuals. Other causes may exist as well.

The main symptom of night sweats is an excessive sweating during nocturnal sleep. Night sweating may be just one side effect of certain medications or may be a symptom of a more serious condition. It may be important to determine the cause of night sweats, as the condition may be harmless or may be a sign of a much more serious disease.

Night sweats may be frustrating for some people, as patients often wake up to damp sleepwear or damp sheets and blankets. A health care professional may offer further explanations or treatment suggestions for night sweats.

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