ATLANTA – Waking in a puddle of sweat can be a sign of an air conditioner that’s not working, or something far more serious.
11Alive’s Why Guy dug into the question of why some people suffer from a condition known as night sweats.
We’re not talking about the occasional night when you wake with a little perspiration on your forehead.
Dr. Ekta Kapoor of the Mayo Clinic says it’s the people who find their pajamas drenched who are the ones suffering from night sweats.
Most of the time it’s middle-aged women, and most of the time it’s menopause.
“The most likely cause is the pre-menopausal stage,” says Dr. Kapoor. “These symptoms can last a good seven to ten years after a woman has been through menopause.”
There are other potential causes that can affect men and women.
Infections can cause night sweats. So can a hormone disorder that includes issues with the thyroid.
Dr. Kapoor says excessive sweating at night might be a sign of something as serious as cancer.
“These symptoms should not be ignored,” says Dr. Kapoor. “They should be evaluated. Medical attention should clearly be sought.”
Some medications can cause night sweats. Anti-depressants or diabetes medications might be the culprit.
If it’s heavy sweating and if it’s persistent, the safest thing to do is see a doctor.
