Health
Sleep disruptions due to night sweats: When should you see a doctor?
If you’ve woken up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat, it can be a bit scary.
You could be experiencing night sweats, which are usually associated with menopause.
But medical experts say the condition can be caused by other issues or situations as well.
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To find out more, doctors weighed in during interviews with Fox News Digital to share insights into the hot topic of night sweats — and what to do about it.
What are night sweats?
Excessive sweating during sleep, or night sweats, occurs when there is a dysregulation of the body’s natural reaction to excess heat, said Jesus Lizarzaburu, M.D., a family physician with TPMG Grafton Family Medicine in Yorktown, Virginia.
Night sweats can be caused by a variety of factors. Read on to see if any of these sound familiar to you. (iStock)
“Symptoms include drenching sweats that may soak your bedding and sleepwear, unrelated to an overheated environment,” Lizarzaburu told Fox News Digital.
What issues can cause night sweats?
Night sweats may be triggered by a number of factors.
Hormonal changes. The most common cause of night sweats is hormonal changes, such as menopause in women, said Dr. Lizarzaburu.
He said this is not limited to females, however.
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To a much lesser extent, low testosterone in men may cause night sweats, too.
Medications. Certain medications such as antidepressants, drugs used to treat diabetes (hypoglycemics), hormone-blocking drugs used to treat certain cancers and certain psychiatric drugs may be at the root of night sweats, Lizarzaburu also noted.
Some medications such as antidepressants, drugs used to treat diabetes, hormone-blocking drugs used to treat certain cancers and certain psychiatric drugs may be connected to night sweats, a doctor noted. (iStock)
Hormone disorders. Conditions including hyperthyroidism or an overactive thyroid gland can cause night sweats, he explained.
Infections. Infections such as tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, endocarditis (inflammation of the heart valves), osteomyelitis (inflammation within the bones) and even abscesses can cause night sweats, said Lizarzaburu.
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“However, I would like to point out that with infections, other symptoms such as fever or localized swelling would be present,” he clarified.
How can night sweats be treated?
Treatment for night sweats really depends on the cause, noted Mike Sevilla, M.D., a family physician with Family Practice Center of Salem in Salem, Ohio.
He said treatment can include lifestyle modifications like avoiding night sweat triggers, sleeping in a cooler room and wearing more breathable clothing.
“I generally start with these initial steps,” Sevilla said.
A host of lifestyle modifications and non-medication options could help treat night sweats, experts say. (iStock)
“There are possible medication options,” he said. “However, I encourage people to check in with their family physician because there could be medical testing involved to rule out possible medical causes for the night sweats.”
There are a host of lifestyle modifications and non-medication options to treat night sweats, he also indicated.
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Here are some examples.
Watch food and drink triggers. “Avoid potential night sweat triggers before bedtime like alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, spicy foods and others,” Sevilla said.
Time your workouts. Increase exercise during your waking hours and not right before bedtime, he noted.
Stay hydrated. He suggests sipping cool water before bedtime.
Wind down before bed. “Consider relaxation techniques like meditation or controlled breathing exercises,” he said.
Taking steps to wind down before bedtime — including doing meditation or controlled breathing — may help with better sleep experiences, doctors say. (iStock)
Create a favorable sleeping environment. Sleep in a cooler room and consider using a bedroom fan, said Sevilla.
Upgrade your bed dressings. Consider investing in a cooling pillow, cooling sheets or cooling mattress.
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Wear breathable clothing. Wear loose-fitting, lightweight pajamas and dress in layers to name it easy to make adjustments during sleeping hours, he said.
Monitor your medications. Sevilla cautioned that some OTC vitamins and OTC supplements may cause night sweats and/or interfere with prescription medications.
“If you are unable to have a full night of sleep because of night sweats, eventually this disruption will affect your quality of life.”
Maintain a healthy weight. Staying active and being mindful of your diet may play a role in reducing the condition.
When is seeing a doctor warranted?
Seek medical care whenever your quality of life is affected, said Lizarzaburu of TPMG Grafton Family Medicine.
“If you are unable to have a full night of sleep because of night sweats, eventually this disruption will affect your quality of life,” he noted.
Aside from the effects on quality of life and sleep, patients should be concerned the most seriously when they are present along with lymph node swelling, fever and unexplained weight loss, as these can be symptoms of lymphoma, Lizarzaburu told Fox News Digital.
A doctor or health professional can help diagnose the cause of night sweats. (iStock)
A doctor or medical professional can help you diagnose the cause of your night sweats.
“For example, if menopause is the cause, one can start with supplements and escalate to hormone replacement,” said Lizarzaburu.
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“If [it’s about] low testosterone in men, testosterone replacement can help.”
He added, “If hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) is the cause, medication can be prescribed to counter that.”
And, if medication is causing the night sweats, a prescriber can “re-evaluate the condition to look for alternative medication or to adjust the doses,” he said.
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As winter weather moves in, cozy essentials like scarves, plush throws and heated bedding become everyday comforts.
But dermatologists caution that these cold-weather favorites can secretly undermine skin health — trapping sweat and bacteria, causing irritation and exposing the skin to excess heat.
Choosing the right materials for wellness — and using them safely — can make a big difference.
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Here are five winter must-haves and gift ideas, with expert tips on how to keep skin healthy and happy while staying warm this season.
Soft scarf, $19.99, Amazon.com
Scarves made of natural fiber, like this one that is 100% cotton, may help if you’re prone to irritation. (Amazon)
A soft scarf is a staple for cold days and an easy way to elevate a winter outfit.
Yet, if breakouts are appearing along the neck, jawline or chest, that favorite accessory may be part of the problem.
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“You should wash your scarf as often as your clothes to prevent breakouts,” Annabelle Taurua, a beauty expert at Fresha, a beauty and wellness booking platform headquartered in London, told Fox News Digital.
Cotton is a better choice than polyester, she also noted, as it’s more breathable and allows sweat to evaporate.
Fluffy blankets, $28.97, Potterybarn.com
Fluffy blankets make for perfect cozy days at home, but their soft fibers can trap sweat, oils and dead skin — which can clog pores and encourage bacteria growth. (Pottery Barn)
Fluffy blankets make for perfect cozy days at home, but their soft fibers can trap sweat, oils and dead skin, which can clog pores and encourage bacteria growth.
Rough textures or infrequent washing can also irritate sensitive skin and worsen breakouts.
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“Regularly wash your blankets, especially those made from synthetic or fluffy materials, to remove built-up oils and dirt,” Taurua advised.
She recommended breathable materials like cotton or linen, as well as hypoallergenic options for anyone prone to irritation.
Good set of sheets, $49.99, Amazon.com
Much like scarves, natural fibers are the way to go for your linens to avoid irritation. (iStock)
Cold weather makes lingering in bed especially tempting, but lying on unwashed bedding can worsen acne.
Pillowcases and sheets quickly collect oil, bacteria and dead skin cells, which transfer directly onto the face.
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“Washing bedding frequently is important,” Taurua said. “You should aim to change and wash your pillowcases every two to three days and your sheets at least once a week.”
Heated blanket, $33.99, Walmart.com
Heated blankets are a great way to stay warm during the winter. (Walmart)
When using a heated blanket, start with the lowest heat setting and limit use, said Taurua.
“Once you’re warm, switch to a regular blanket,” she advised.
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She also said it’s best to avoid direct contact for long periods to reduce irritation.
Hot water bottle, $12.99, Amazon.com
A traditional winter staple, hot water bottles offer quick comfort — but they come with risks similar to heated blankets, including burns, scalding and long-term heat-related skin damage.
Hot water bottles should never be filled with boiling water, experts advise. (Amazon)
“Never fill a hot water bottle with boiling water,” Taurua said.
“Only use hot, not boiling, water, and fill it to a maximum of two-thirds.”
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She recommended wrapping the bottle in a towel or cover to avoid direct skin contact and limiting use to around 20 minutes.
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Comedian Amy Schumer, 44, has recently come clean about her struggle with Cushing’s syndrome, leading to a dramatic weight loss.
Schumer’s transformation has sparked conversation online, to which she responded in a now-deleted Instagram post that shut down speculation about cosmetic enhancements.
“I didn’t lose 30lbs — I lost 50,” she emphasized on social media, adding that she does not get Botox or filler.
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Schumer doubled down that her weight loss was not about her appearance, but about staying alive.
“Not to look hot, which does feel fun and temporary,” she said. “I did it to survive. I had a disease that makes your face extremely puffy that can kill you, but the internet caught it and that disease has cleared.”
Amy Schumer attends Variety’s 2024 Power of Women: New York event on May 2, 2024, in New York City on the left. On the right, Schumer later poses for a photo posted to Instagram after her weight loss. (Marleen Moise/WireImage; Amy Schumer/Instagram)
“Sorry for whatever feeling it’s giving you that I lost that weight,” she added. “I’ve had plastic surgery over the years and I use [Mounjaro]. Sorry to anyone they let down. I’m pain free. I can [play] tag with my son.”
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The actress also addressed her shifting hormones, saying that she’s “happy to share more if anyone has any questions about how I’m looking or feeling or where I am in my perimenopause process.”
“I didn’t lose 30lbs — I lost 50,” Schumer emphasized on social media, adding that she does not get Botox or filler. (Amy Schumer/Instagram)
What is Cushing’s syndrome?
Schumer previously revealed that she had been diagnosed with Cushing’s syndrome, a hormonal disorder that can cause extreme swelling, fatigue and potentially fatal complications.
Dr. Peter Balazs, a hormone and weight loss specialist in New Jersey, provided more details on the condition in an interview with Fox News Digital.
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“Cushing’s syndrome is caused by prolonged, high exposure to cortisol, which is your body’s main stress hormone,” he said. “Usually, the excess cortisol is a result of prolonged steroid use. We see this many times with patients who have some autoimmune disorder.”
Balazs said the “key” to Cushing’s syndrome is not just weight gain, but a “specific redistribution” of fat caused by too much cortisol.
Amy Schumer is photographed during a guest interview on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Feb. 13, 2024 (left), and later seen walking through midtown New York City on Oct. 28, 2025 (right). (Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Images; Raymond Hall/GC Images/Getty Images)
Fat may be driven to the abdomen, chest, upper back (referred to as a “buffalo hump”) or face, sometimes considered “moon face,” the doctor said.
Cortisol also breaks down protein, which leads to a thinning in the arms and legs. “Weight gain can be tough, involuntary and hard to manage,” Balazs added.
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Cortisol stimulates “hunger centers” in the brain, raises blood sugar and promotes fat storage, especially deep belly fat, according to the doctor.
Cushing’s syndrome can also cause high blood pressure, bone loss and sometimes type 2 diabetes, per Mayo Clinic.
In addition to weight gain in certain areas, other symptoms may include pink or purple stretch marks on the stomach, hips, thighs, breasts and underarms, as well as acne, slow wound healing, and thin, frail skin that bruises easily.
With Cushing’s syndrome, fat may accumulate in the abdomen, chest, face or upper back (referred to as a “buffalo hump”). (iStock)
Women with Cushing’s syndrome often experience thick, dark hair on the face and body, as well as irregular periods. Symptoms among men can include a lower sex drive, reduced fertility and erectile dysfunction.
Mayo Clinic listed other potential symptoms, including extreme fatigue, muscle weakness, depression, anxiety, irritability, mood swings, trouble with concentration and memory, headache, sleeplessness, skin darkening and stunted growth in children.
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Those with symptoms should contact their doctor immediately, especially if they are taking steroids to treat health issues like asthma, arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease, as these medications can exacerbate the condition.
The Mayo Clinic has reported that the “sooner treatment starts, the better the chances for recovery.”
“I’ve had plastic surgery over the years and I use [Mounjaro],” Schumer stated in a social media post. (George Frey/Bloomberg)
For patients like Schumer, weight loss is typically not the main goal, Balazs noted, but it is a “critical sign” of successful treatment.
“The primary goal is to normalize your high cortisol levels,” he said. “I believe Amy Schumer got treated first for her underlying problem. Once the cortisol is normalized, which is the most important step, there’s a role to use adjunct medications to decrease weight.”
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
Among GLP-1s, Mounjaro is an “excellent choice to decrease deep belly fat and increase insulin sensitivity of cells,” Balazs added.
Fox News Digital’s Stephanie Giang-Paunon contributed to this report.
Fox News Digital reached out to Schumer’s rep requesting comment.
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