Q&A:Does alcohol cause night sweats?

Night sweats are the nighttime counterpart to hot flashes and are generally associated with women going through the menopausal transition. Although menopausal women do very often suffer from night sweats, there are many other variables that can be attributed to their cause. From lifestyle factors to underlying disorders, night sweats can be extremely inhibiting to restful sleep. One common cause of night sweats is alcohol. To learn more about the connection between alcohol and night sweats, continue reading this article.

What are night sweats?

Night sweats are periods of sweating during the night that often leave a person in soaked clothes and bedding. These episodes can occur even if the bedroom is not warm and usually wake a person from sleep leaving her tired the next day. There are many reasons a person may suffer from night sweats. In menopause, the constant fluctuation of hormones like estrogen can induce night sweats. Also, certain medications like antidepressants and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) list night sweats as a side effect. Certain lifestyle choices like smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol can lead to a sweaty night’s sleep.

Why does alcohol cause night sweats?

Night sweats are most common among alcohol abusers, though it is not uncommon for moderate drinkers to suffer from flashes of heat during sleep. Often alcoholics who are trying to quit drinking will suffer a period of withdrawal and very commonly experience night sweats that can be rated from the mild to the severe.

What are some ways of controlling night sweats?

If you are an alcoholic suffering from night sweats the best treatment is to quit consuming alcohol. Night sweats prevent restful sleep which can lead to more serious conditions as well as unhealthy weight loss. Also, alcoholism can lead to problems with the kidneys and liver. There are some things you can do to help yourself recuperate from a night sweat attack and they include:

• Drinking plenty of water to return the body temperature to normal
• Avoiding hot and spicy foods and drinks before bed
• Changing the bed sheets
• Washing your face

For more information about alcohol induced night sweats

Alcoholism is a serious issue and should be addressed by professionals. If you are suffering from night sweats after drinking alcohol, but do not abuse alcohol, it may also be in your best interest to cut alcohol from the diet. Night sweats alone are rarely a sign of a serious illness, but a professional should be consulted to be sure. To learn more about this and other related topics, visit this link.