You expect to work up a sweat during an invigorating visit to the gym or a relaxing sauna break. Waking up from a deep sleep dripping with sweat is another thing entirely.

Aside from the discomfort of soaked pajamas and pillows, the experience can be a bit alarming if it happens on a regular basis. 

Night sweats don’t get a lot of attention in health-related news media, so many of those who suffer with the condition think they are alone.

The truth is that night sweats are fairly common, and there are simple, effective ways to relieve the problem.

Once you understand the underlying causes that contribute to night sweats, as well as the symptoms to watch out for, you can experiment with the best supplements for night sweats to see which are most effective for you.

Symptoms of Night Sweats

Before diagnosing yourself with true night sweats, consider the environment where you sleep. Is it overheated, or do you like to pile on blankets at night?

If so, you may be experiencing normal perspiration, which is intended to cool your body down when it gets too hot.

Along the same lines, consider your routine just before bed. Do you tend to eat a lot of spicy foods or drink hot beverages? Do you consume alcohol or exercise before you go to sleep? 

True night sweats are unrelated to the temperature of your bedroom or your nightly routine.

They tend to produce much more perspiration than the glow you get when you are a little warm.

Chances are, if you have this condition, you are waking up with your clothes and bedding soaked through.

Your body is having sudden, extreme hot flashes that cause it to work overtime on sweat production. 

What Causes Night Sweats?

There are a number of underlying medical issues that can lead to night sweats, either because of the condition itself or as a side effect of the treatment you are receiving.

These are the most frequently-cited causes of nights sweats:

•     Cancer – Some cancers prompt night sweats in the earliest stages, but don’t panic – it is not very common to experience cancer-related night sweats without other symptoms such as fever, unexplained weight loss, and so forth. 
•     Hormones – Your endocrine system produces hormones that prompt the start and stop of all sorts of bodily functions. In a way, they can be thought of as chemical messengers that travel through the blood to your tissues and organs to manage an endless array of processes. Hormones are most closely associated with the reproductive system, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. They are responsible for growth and physical development, metabolism, and even your mood. When hormone levels shift or become unbalanced, sometimes due to conditions such as hyperthyroidism or carcinoid syndrome, one of the symptoms you might experience is night sweats. 
•     Hyperhidrosis – For some people, excessive sweat production is a part of everyday life. They have a condition known as idiopathic hyperhidrosis, which means that their bodies produce excessive amounts of sweat without any underlying reason – at least no reason that physicians can uncover. Night sweats are common with this condition, and it tends to be a chronic issue. 
•     Hypoglycemia – Better known as low blood sugar, nighttime hypoglycemia is a particular issue for those who are diabetic. A good night’s sleep typically doesn’t involve snacks, which can cause a drop in blood sugar levels. When your body becomes hypoglycemic, you may experience excessive sweating. When this occurs at night, it closely resembles other types of night sweats. 
•     Infection – When your body is fighting off an infection, one of its most effective weapons is heat. That’s why certain illnesses are associated with fever. In some cases, you can experience night sweats when you have an infection attacking tissues and organs. Examples of infectious diseases associated with night sweats include abscesses, bacterial infections, HIV, and tuberculosis. 
•     Medication – Far and away the most common cause of night sweats is the medication you take to manage other health issues. For example, popular psychiatric drugs, including antidepressants and anti-anxiety medicines, are associated with night sweats. Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) and aspirin can have similar effects, as can prescription medications intended to control blood pressure.
•     Menopause – Hot flashes are a particularly frustrating symptom of menopause, and they come on at any time of day – or night. Women going through menopause often discover that their night sweats are related to these types of hot flashes. 
•     Neurologic Issues – In rare cases, some neurologic conditions can cause a general increase in the production of perspiration. That can feel just like other types of night sweats if the overproduction occurs while you sleep. 
•     Sleep Disorders – If you are already struggling to sleep well as a result of sleep apnea or other sleep disorders, your body might respond with night sweats. This condition is hard to diagnose, as you aren’t awake to take note of what your body is doing. Look for symptoms like feeling tired during the day or waking up struggling to breathe, and if you suspect sleep apnea or another sleep disorder, see a sleep specialist. 

If you suspect that your night sweats are signaling a more serious underlying condition, it’s important to schedule time with a medical professional.

Your physician will work with you to determine the cause of your night sweats, typically by collecting a comprehensive family health history and running a few tests.

In a majority of cases, the cure is a simple matter of making small changes to your routine, which may include adding some of the best herbal supplements for night sweats. 

Can Stress Cause Night Sweats?

This question is a bit more complicated than it appears on the surface.

Stress itself doesn’t cause night sweats, but there is still a connection. Stress causes the body to enter a “fight or flight” mode – one of heightened awareness and tension.

Many people experiencing chronic stress have a physical reaction, including headaches, tight muscles, body aches, and mood swings.

Chest pain, rapid heartbeat, nausea, and other digestive issues are also a problem, along with emotional issues like depression, racing thoughts, and anxiety.

Any or all of these can increase levels of perspiration, which can appear as night sweats. 

What Vitamins Cause Night Sweats?

Iron is important to your overall health, and a deficiency can leave you tired and lethargic. However, there can be too much of a good thing.

Taking iron supplements can prompt undesirable side effects, including constipation, nausea, headaches, and excessive sweat production. Of course, that means you are at risk of night sweats, as well. 

Zinc is a second example of a critical nutrient that, when overused, can lead to unpleasant side effects. Some of the most common signs of too much zinc include headaches, nausea, and night sweats.

In situations where the overuse of zinc is chronic, there can be more serious repercussions. The delicate chemical balance of your body is impacted, resulting in a variety of additional symptoms. 

In short, all supplements should be taken as directed, and you should check with your healthcare provider if you notice unusual side effects. 

Best Supplements for Night Sweats

The best supplements for night sweats often depend on the root cause of the condition, but there are some that tend to be effective across the board. For example, Vitamin B12 has been shown to relieve night sweats across several groups of patients. 

Vitamin B12’s primary function is related to the production and health of blood and nerve cells, as well as the development of DNA. In addition, B12 appears to support healthy bones, reducing the likelihood of osteoporosis, and it plays a role in the prevention of macular degeneration.

In short, Vitamin B12 touches a wide variety of processes taking place in your body, and adding supplements to your health regimen relieves some of the underlying issues that lead to night sweats. 

Vitamin D supplements may also play a role in reducing night sweats. This vitamin is best known for regulating the amount of calcium in your body, but it has a number of other functions – some of which aren’t well-understood by researchers. 

Are Night Sweats Serious?

On their own, night sweats aren’t a serious issue – just uncomfortable and somewhat disconcerting. However, on rare occasions they are caused by a significant medical condition, which is serious.

If you are experiencing unexplained night sweats or you are unable to resolve night sweats with simple changes to your health regimen, it is critical to see your physician for a proper diagnosis.