In this Article

• Introduction
• What are the causes of night sweats?
• Menopause
• Idiopathic hyperhidrosis
• Infections
• Cancer
• Medications
• Hypoglycemia
• Hormone Disorders
• Neurologic conditions
• Night Sweats Glossary
• Night Sweats Index

Hypoglycemia

Sometimes low blood glucose (hypoglycemia) can cause sweating. People who are taking insulin or oral anti-diabetic medications may experience hypoglycemia at night that is accompanied by sweating.

Hormone disorders

Sweating or flushing can be seen with several hormone disorders, including pheochromocytoma, carcinoid syndrome, and hyperthyroidism.

Neurologic conditions

Uncommonly, neurologic conditions may cause increased sweating and possibly lead to night sweats including:

• autonomic dysreflexia,
  
  
• post-traumatic syringomyelia,
  
  
• stroke, and
  
  
• autonomic neuropathy.

Reference: Mold, JW, Mathew, MK, Belgore, S, DeHaven, M. Prevalence of night sweats in primary care patients: an OKPRN and TAFP-Net collaborative study. J Fam Pract 2002; 51:452.

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