Waking up swimming is far from pleasant. When it is recurrent, excessive sweating at night alters the quality of sleep. Night sweats should not be neglected: they can be the symptom of a disease requiring rapid treatment.
What are the causes of excessive sweating at night?
“Night sweats only are not of dermatological origin“, emphasizes Dr. Louva Rakotonarivo, dermatologist. According to her, if there is a pathology linked to sweat glands, i.e. to the glands producing sweat, the phenomenon of excessive perspiration (or hyperhidrosis) will occur”Day and night“. The causes can be environmentallinked to the side effects of a treatment (antidepressants, birth control pills, etc.) or the symptom of a weaning (alcohol, tobacco, etc.).
What diseases make you sweat at night?
Causes of night sweats can be categorized into 5 categories. They are in order dermatological Or hyperhidrosis primitive, infectious (tuberculosis, malaria), tumor (lymphoma, cancer, etc.) or hormonal (hyperthyroidism, menopause, etc.). When menopause, for example, the decrease in estrogen levels disrupts the sensitivity of the hypothalamus, the area of the brain that maintains body temperature around 37°C. “There may also be neurological causes as Parkinson’s disease, stroke, diabetic neuropathy“, emphasizes the dermatologist.
When and who to consult when you sweat a lot at night?
Dr. Rakotonarivo warns: “An exacerbation of night sweats is a symptom not to be neglected and must be the subject of an opinion with his attending physician to find the cause“. He will carry out an interrogation in order to contextualize the occurrence of the excessive sweating. He will also be able to request a blood test (dosage of thyroid hormones, etc.).
What treatment to stop sweating at night?
The treatment will be specific to each cause of excessive night sweating. Primary hyperhidrosis is improved by antiperspirants. “These molecules clog the excretory duct of the sweat gland, thereby reducing sweat production. The leaders are aluminum salts“, explains the dermatologist. Palmoplantar or axillary hyperhidrosis is improved by iontophoresis. “The area to be treated is placed in a bath of tap water and exposed to an electric current which disrupts the sweat excretion message. The effect is lasting, but requires multi-weekly sessions“, details Dr. Louva Rakotonarivo. Botulinum toxin injections are other leads. “In addition to its assets in aesthetic medicine, this protein is used in local injections to reduce the production of sweat in the armpits and hands. The method is painful and must be repeated about once a year“, advises the specialist. According to her, oxybutinin can sometimes be prescribed. “It is a drug used in the treatment of urinary incontinence and reducing without distinction all body secretions. It is given by tablet, gradually increasing the daily dose until the minimum effective dose is reached. Tolerance is limited by the phenomenon of generalized dryness and induced constipation“, she explains. Finally, the sympathectomy thoracic is another solution. “The nerve responsible for sweating is surgically severed from the upper body. It is an irreversible act to be reserved only for the most severe cases.“, says Dr. Rakotonarivo.
Thanks to Dr. Louva Rakotonarivodermatologist.