Can Diabetes Trigger Night Sweat Episodes?
Diabetes is a lifelong condition, characterized by a person having blood sugar levels that are higher than normal. There are two strands of the condition - type 1 and type 2 - and in both types, night sweat episodes may symptomize abnormally low blood glucose levels. These should always be dealt with immediately, because potential consequences range from disorientation to loss of consciousness, or even death. Read on to learn more about diabetes, how diabetes can be a night sweats trigger, and how to efficiently restore low blood sugar levels. What Is Diabetes? The pancreas gland behind the stomach produces insulin, a hormone that controls glucose levels in the blood and enables the conversion of glucose into energy for the healthy functioning of the body. Diabetics produce insufficient amounts of insulin or insulin that doesn't function properly, which means they are unable to convert glucose into energy naturally. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed during childhood and is controlled by regular insulin injections to replace that which the body cannot produce; type 2 is more commonly associated with adults and obesity, and is managed with a healthy diet and tablets. Part of managing diabetes responsibly means being aware of the symptoms that indicate a change in blood sugar levels in the body. Hypoglycemia For a diabetic, night sweat episodes could be indicative of hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is defined as a severe lack of energy caused by abnormally low blood sugar, when glucose levels drop to between three to four millimoles per liter (mmol). Hypoglycemia can occur when a diabetic has taken too much insulin, skipped a meal, or exercised too hard without replenishing lost energy levels. During the day, feeling hungry, dizzy, and shaky are all fairly noticeable symptom Continue reading >>
Diabetes And Abnormal Sweating: What Is The Connection?
Many people with diabetes will experience times when they sweat too much, too little, or at odd times. Diabetes-related nervous system damage and low blood sugars cause these commonly experienced sweating conditions in people with diabetes. Sweating complications can be a sign of poor diabetes management. Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels is crucial to both prevention and treatment. Contents of this article: Diabetes and sweating problems People sweat for a variety of reasons. Some of these reasons are normal and some are not. Sweating is a natural response to physical and emotional stress. But excessive sweating, when the reason is unclear, is often a sign that something is not right. Some people with sweating conditions will sweat even on a cold day or during minimal activity. Low blood sugar levels and diabetes-related nervous system damage cause the most commonly experienced sweating conditions in people with diabetes. Extremely low blood sugars cause a fight-or-flight response, triggering the release of hormones that increase sweating. When blood sugar levels are too high for too long, a loss of nerve function can occur. This condition is known as diabetic neuropathy. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) claim that around half of people with diabetes experience some form of neuropathy. If the nerves that control the sweat glands are damaged, they may send the wrong message to sweat glands, or none at all. In most cases, neuropathies cause either excessive sweating or an inability to sweat. Sweating caused by hypoglycemia Hypoglycemia is a term to describe abnormally low blood sugar levels. For most adults, blood glucose levels below 70 milligrams per deciliter are considered hypoglycemic. Individual targets can vary, however. Many diabetes management medica Continue reading >>
5 Reasons For Heavy Sweating With Diabetes
Whether you are sitting in a stuffy room or working out at the gym, excessive sweating can be noticeably uncomfortable. People with diabetes can be prone to excessive sweating, which can also lead to dehydration and other health complications. Discover 5 reasons for heavy sweating with diabetes and what you can do about them. 1. Blood Glucose Levels Heavy sweating is often linked to low blood glucose levels known as hypoglycemia. When blood glucose levels plummet, it triggers a “fight or flight “response from your body. As a result, your body produces additional norepinephrine and adrenaline. This can lead to heavy sweating as well as shakiness and anxiety. It is important to get your blood sugar back to normal as soon as possible to alleviate this sweating. Keep glucose tablets, a few pieces of hard candy or a can of regular soda handy to increase your blood sugar levels quickly. Try to maintain better blood sugar control by taking medications and insulin as directed, eating regular meals and snacks and exercising daily. Use a blood sugar monitor to gauge your glucose levels. 2. Hyperthyroidism Another reason for heavy sweating is hyperthyroidism, a metabolic condition that people with diabetes may be prone to. The thyroid gland, which is located in your neck, produces key hormones in response to signals sent by your brain. These hormones work to increase or decrease your metabolic rate. When the thyroid gland is overactive, it is referred to as hyperthyroidism. More hormones are secreted than usual, which boosts your metabolic rate. This can cause heavy sweating, weight loss, hair loss, heart palpitations, dry eyes, tremors and nervousness. Some people might also have difficulty breathing or swallowing. Treatments may include medication, radioactive iodine and in Continue reading >>
Avoiding Nighttime Lows
Nighttime hypoglycemia can be the result of a number of factors in people with diabetes, according to Howard Wolpert, M.D., Director of the Joslin Diabetes Center Insulin Pump Program. It’s important to learn what causes low blood glucose reactions, so you can figure out how to prevent them from happening. Causes of Nighttime Hypoglycemia Having an active day or exercising close to bedtime with diabetes can decrease your blood glucose and cause a hypoglycemic reaction during sleep. Consuming alcohol in the evening can also put you at risk for a lower blood glucose level. This is a result of your liver clearing the alcohol from your blood, instead of producing glucose. In addition, some people forget that their bolus/fast-acting insulin lasts for up to five to six hours. If you have a late dinner and go to sleep a couple hours later, your blood glucose may be normal before going to bed. However, since the insulin you took for dinner is still acting in your body, your blood glucose could drop during the night. Signs of Nighttime Hypoglycemia Signs that you’ve experienced nighttime hypoglycemia can include: Sweating: waking up with damp clothes/sheets Waking up with a headache Having nightmares You may also wake up with a higher blood glucose reading, which is a result of your body rebounding from the overnight low. Experiencing a fast heartbeat and anxiety before bed may be an indication of approaching hypoglycemia. Ways to Avoid Nighttime Hypoglycemia Your target blood glucose reading before bed should be at least 140 mg/dl, Wolpert says. Before you go to bed, consider all of the causes of nighttime hypoglycemia, and if you think you’re at risk, have a snack before heading to sleep. If you use an insulin pump, one option is to reduce your basal rate. If you find yo Continue reading >>
Night Sweats In Men: Causes, Treatments And Remedies
Are you a man in your 20s, 30s, above 40, 50, 60 or 70 years old who occasionally or constantly suffer from severe and heavy night sweats? We have all the possible reasons or causes including hot flashes such as cancer, alcoholism, stress (anxiety), surgery, diabetes, infections, among others. We also have ways to treat or stop them and much more. Overview Night sweats or nocturnal hyperhidrosis in men, women or even children refers to the excessive sweating while someone is sleeping at night. Some texts often refer them to as ‘sweating in bed’ or ‘sleep sweat.’ This definition might not include it happening because they sleeping in very warm rooms, have very warm bedding or you wear many bedclothes since they will be expected to sweat and this is very normal. Actual night sweats can be described as ‘very severe hot flushes’ or ‘drenching ’ where victims have ‘heavy sweating while sleeping’ and they wake up with their clothes and bed sheets drenched. The cause of this severe or excessive sweating is not influenced by their environment. Whereas some people might have this problem occasionally, others will suffer from excessive, heavy or severe night sweats constantly until the underlying cause is correctly diagnosed and cured or prevented. In terms of their effects, although very unpleasant, they are harmless in most cases. They only serve to indicate or are symptoms of something totally wrong with your body. Due to their similarity to hot flushes (feverish heat that comes all over a sudden), it is not easy to say if they are just hot flashes or they could be night sweats. Cold sweat including those at night This is “the body's reaction to stress as part of the "fight or flight" response that helps us to react in a dangerous situation.” It happens Continue reading >>
Night Sweats And Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia is a condition characterized by abnormally low levels of blood sugar (or glucose) in the body. Glucose is the body’s key source of energy. It aids in the breakdown of foods and its conversion into energy, as well as provides the brain with energy for proper psychological functioning. When glucose levels become too low, hypoglycemia occurs and you may experience these psychological side effects: confusion, blurred or double vision, abnormal behavior, inability to complete routine tasks, and/or seizures or loss of consciousness (possible, but rare). In addition to the psychological symptoms, you might also experience physical symptoms including: shakiness, dizziness, heart palpitations, anxiety, increased sweating, night sweats, extreme hunger/hunger pangs, and/or tingling sensation in or around the mouth. When your brain and body experience these symptoms, your nervous system is just responding to the stress of having low levels of circulating blood sugar. Although these symptoms are common in many other conditions, your doctor can perform a blood test to indicate that the cause is hypoglycemia. Can hypoglycemia be a non-diabetic related event? Absolutely. Oftentimes a person whom is fasting for a prolonged amount of time may experience hypoglycemia. Someone who engages in an intense exercise session might also experience these symptoms. The other type of non-diabetic incident that could cause hypoglycemia is something called reactive hypoglycemia. This is when a person has eaten a meal consisting of excessively high carbohydrates and/or sugar, has hyperinsulinism, or has recently had surgery in their digestive system. Like a fever or a rash, hypoglycemia is not a disease itself; it is an indicator of a health problem. Hypoglycemia is commonly associated w Continue reading >>
Diabetes: Is Sweating Normal?
Diabetes and Excessive Sweating While many people can experience difficulties with sweating, it can also be an issue for people with diabetes. There are three main types of sweating that you may experience. They are: hyperhidrosis: excessive sweating not caused by temperature or exercise gustatory sweating: caused by food and limited to face and neck areas night sweats: caused by low blood glucose during the night Each of these have different types of treatments. Your doctor can recommend the best treatment to help relieve or stop your excessive sweating. However, since sweating can be a sign of other more serious conditions, you should always talk to your doctor if you experience this type of sweating. Hyperhidrosis Hyperhidrosis is the term for excessive sweating. This is sweating that is not from exercising or the temperature. This can occur when your blood glucose gets too low (hypoglycemia). It will trigger a fight or flight response from your body. You produce excess adrenaline and norepinephrine, which cause excess sweating. Once your blood sugar returns to normal, the sweating should stop. If, along with sweating, you have bladder control problems or an unusual heart rate, it could indicate autonomic neuropathy. This is caused by damage to the nerves that control functions like the bladder, blood pressure, and sweating. Excessive sweating can also occur with obesity. Obesity often accompanies diabetes. However, these are not the only ways diabetes and excessive sweating can be connected. Gustatory Sweating Gustatory sweating is different than hyperhidrosis. It is also not unique to people with diabetes. However, people with diabetic autonomic neuropathy are more likely to experience this than those without nerve damage. Luckily, it is easy to identify. If you br Continue reading >>
8 Ways To Prevent Night Sweats
Do you ever wake up drenched in sweat in the middle of the night—even if the thermostat is turned low? Try these diabetes-friendly ways to prevent night sweats. If you’ve ever awakened a few hours after drifting off to sleep, wrapped in damp sheets and dripping with sweat, you know how disruptive it can be to a good night’s rest. Why might your body’s own thermostat be going haywire? “Night sweats are usually related to hypoglycemia, an episode of low blood sugar,” says L.A.-based diabetes educator Lori Zanini, RD. “Other signs of nighttime hypoglycemia include waking up with a headache and having nightmares,” both caused by fitful sleep. A variety of circumstances can throw your blood sugar off balance, from injecting the incorrect amount of insulin to eating or exercising differently than usual. “Focus on preventing your nighttime lows, rather than reacting to the symptoms caused by the lows,” says Zanini. Here’s how: Eat a bedtime snack. “A protein-rich snack is absorbed and processed by the liver slowly enough to ensure blood sugar remains stable throughout the night,” says Zanini. Opt for one that contains at least 15 to 30 grams of carbohydrates and one to two ounces of protein. Some ideas include: ¾ cup of blueberries and ½ cup low-fat cottage cheese Slice of whole-wheat, high-fiber toast with 1 to 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter One or two servings of string cheese Ask yourself: Have I been more active today? If the answer is “yes,” be sure to adjust for the extra physical activity by snacking or taking less blood sugar-lowering medication to compensate for burning extra sugar. Avoid late-night drinking. Consuming alcohol in the evening can put you at risk for low blood sugar, since your liver is busy clearing the alcohol from Continue reading >>
7 Causes Of Excessive Perspiration In People With Diabetes
Unless the weather is sweltering or you’re having hot flashes, excessive sweating is most likely an indication of a greater health issue. Ask yourself: Do you have a fever or other signs of an infection? Are you in any pain when you sweat? Is the sweating mainly on one side? Does it involve your palms, soles, and/or armpits? Do you sweat while you sleep? Is your blood glucose level high (or low) during these sweating episodes? Could sweating be a reaction to your diabetes medication? If the answer is yes to any of these questions, talk to your healthcare provider. What are the possible causes of excessive sweating? For people with diabetes, certain complications can affect the sweat glands, making it difficult for the body to cool down in hot weather, triggering heavy sweating even during light activities, or causing sweating in cool temperatures. 1. Autonomic neuropathy. This is a condition in which hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) interferes with the nerves that control involuntary functions. The autonomic nervous system manages several systems automatically, including bladder control, heart rate, the ability to detect hypoglycemia, and the ability to sweat appropriately. Dry feet are a common symptom of nerve disease, so it is important to inspect your feet daily to be sure there are no cracks from excessive dryness, a condition that tends to occur along with sweating. 2. Low blood glucose levels. A low blood glucose level is called hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia triggers a fight-or-flight response in the body. As a result, the body produces additional norepinephrine and adrenaline, which can lead to heavy sweating as well as shakiness and anxiety. Good diabetes management can help keep your blood glucose levels in check. 3. Heart problems. People with diabetes have Continue reading >>
Hypoglycemia Causes Night Sweating, Peeing, Insomnia And Anxiety
Overview hypoglycemia causes constant adrenaline release hypoglycemia is very common problem but still doctors consider it as rare emotional stress must be avoided in order to heal the body hypoglycemic diet is the best way to heal whey protein concentrate or isolate before sleep may greatly reduce the hypoglycemia during the night There are so many people complaining about night sweats and waking up to go to pee. And most of them are almost ultimately without any clue what causes it. When they go to see a doctor the answer they usually get is “anxiety” and less common answers are infection or even possibly some cancer. The major problem with that answer is that anxiety does not cause night sweats. It is the hypoglycemia which causes anxiety as well as sweating. If the doctors prescribe the antidepressants for suspected anxiety which is caused by adrenaline (due to hypoglycemia) the health can go just downhill. It may ease the anxiety but those drugs won’t do anything good for the real cause of anxiety and night sweats – for hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia symptoms: hunger (due to low blood sugar) sleepiness (due to low glucose supply to the brain) insomnia (due to adrenaline release) waking up in the middle of the night (due to adrenaline release) anxiety (constant adrenaline excess) confusion and nervosity (actually OCD due to excess of adrenaline) sweating (adrenaline) anger and irritability (adrenaline) Only the hunger and sleepiness are the two effects of hypoglycemia which are not directly caused by adrenaline. All the other symptoms of hypoglycemia are directly influenced by adrenaline production. Reactive hypoglycemia is common Reactive hypoglycemia is rampant and the natural response to low blood sugar is adrenaline release which brings the blood sugar up. T Continue reading >>
Night Sweats & Eating White Sugar
Night sweats can interfere with your sleep and cause you to wake up feeling cold and wet in the middle of the night. In some cases, eating something sweetened with sugar could either increase or decrease your risk for night sweats, but in most cases it isn't likely to have any effect. Speak with your doctor if you're suffering from night sweats because it could be a sign of a more serious condition. Video of the Day Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is one of the potential causes for night sweats. If you suffer from diabetes, especially if you're on insulin or other diabetes medications, check for low blood sugar and treat if necessary if you begin to have issues with night sweats. Untreated hypoglycemia can lead to clumsiness, confusion, fainting, seizures and coma. Sugar and Hypoglycemia If you're having night sweats due to hypoglycemia, white sugar could help you stop your night sweats. One of the main treatments for hypoglycemia is to eat or drink something sweet. This could be a tablespoon of honey or sugar, a few pieces of hard candy or 1/2 cup of soda or fruit juice. Reactive Hypoglycemia Limiting white sugar and sugary foods is recommended, however, if you suffer from a condition called reactive hypoglycemia, in which your blood sugar drops too low between two and four hours after you eat a meal. This can cause sweating, shakiness, fatigue, a craving for sweets, blurred vision, fast pulse, headache, nausea and hunger. In this case, you're better off spreading your carbohydrates throughout the day and eating them along with lean protein and small amounts of healthy fats every three to four hours. This will help keep your blood sugar stable and limit your risk for both reactive hypoglycemia and night sweats. Most causes of night sweats have no link to sugar. These Continue reading >>
8 Causes Of Night Sweats
Doctors often hear their patients complain of night sweats. Night sweats refer to excess sweating during the night. But if your bedroom is unusually hot or you are wearing too many bedclothes, you may sweat during sleep, and this is normal. True night sweats are severe hot flashes occurring at night that can drench your clothes and sheets and that are not related to an overheated environment. It is important to note that flushing (a warmth and redness of the face or body) may be hard to distinguish from true night sweats. There are many different causes of night sweats. To find the cause, a doctor must get a detailed medical history and order tests to decide if another medical condition is responsible for the night sweats. Some of the known conditions that can cause night sweats are: Menopause. The hot flashes that accompany menopause can occur at night and cause sweating. This is a very common cause of night sweats in women. Idiopathic hyperhidrosis. Idiopathic hyperhidrosis is a condition in which the body chronically produces too much sweat without any identifiable medical cause. Infections. Tuberculosis is the infection most commonly associated with night sweats. But bacterial infections, such as endocarditis (inflammation of the heart valves), osteomyelitis (inflammation in the bones), and abscesses can cause night sweats. Night sweats are also a symptom of HIV infection. Cancers. Night sweats are an early symptom of some cancers. The most common type of cancer associated with night sweats is lymphoma. However, people who have an undiagnosed cancer frequently have other symptoms as well, such as unexplained weight loss and fevers. Medications . Taking certain medications can lead to night sweats. Antidepressant medications are a common type of drug that can lead to Continue reading >>
Night Sweats And Diabetes
One of the possible causes night sweats is diabetes. Night sweats and diabetes can affect men, women or children; it’s not discriminant. If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, it’s likely that you have suffered from night sweats on at least one occasion, possibly accompanied by other disturbing sensations like weakness, heart palpitations, dizziness, hunger or anxiety. Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, may be causing these symptoms. Nighttime hypoglycemia and night sweats go hand and hand but there are a few things you can do to stabilize your blood sugar while you sleep and in turn help reduce your chances of experiencing that uncomfortable sweating at night that can be caused by changes in blood sugar levels. The Link Between Night Sweats and Diabetes There are a number of reasons why a person with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes might experience low blood sugar at night that leads to sweating while sleeping. When we sleep, our bodies require less fuel so the liver produces less sugar. In people without diabetes, the pancreas responds by producing less insulin and everything stays in balance. For individuals with diabetes, the pancreas either doesn’t produce enough insulin or produces no insulin at all, requiring individuals to inject insulin to control blood sugar levels. However, injecting too much insulin or changing the quantities or timing of meals can throw off blood sugar levels. When blood sugar drops to the mid 60’s, the nervous system reacts in a number of ways. One of those reactions is sweating, either as traditional night sweats or cold sweats at night. Sweating can also be accompanied by trembling, hunger, weakness or fatigue and a sense of nervousness or anxiety. These symptoms are important to note as it is your body’s way of signaling you t Continue reading >>
Don't Lose Sleep Over Night Sweats
If you are one of the many people who suffer from night sweats, classified as excessive sweating at night, then you may be wondering about the potential causes and if you should be concerned. “True night sweats are defined as severe hot flashes occurring at night that can drench sleepwear and sheets,” explains Laura M. Rosch, DO, an osteopathic internal medicine specialist from Wheaton, Illinois. Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, or DOs, focus on prevention by examining how your lifestyle and environment impact your health, rather than just treating your symptoms. Practical reasons for why someone may be experiencing night sweats include: Spicy foods or hot drinks before bedtime Hot weather or an over-heated bedroom Excessive amounts of blankets or bedclothes Exercising before bedtime If your night sweats occur on a regular basis, interrupt your sleep, or are accompanied by a fever or other symptoms, such as unexplained weight loss, then you should schedule an appointment with your physician. “Your doctor will take a look at your detailed medical history and may order tests, such as blood counts and virus and thyroid tests, to determine if you have any underlying medical conditions that could be responsible for the night sweats,” explains Dr. Rosch. According to Dr. Rosch, the following medical conditions are common causes of night sweats. Menopause—Known as “hot flashes” during the day, night sweats are very common for women going through menopause and are often the first sign. Infections—Bacterial infections like endocarditis (inflammation of the heart valves) and osteomyelitis (inflammation within the bones) may result in night sweats, with tuberculosis being the most common infection associated with the condition. Chronic sweating—Idiopathic hype Continue reading >>
10 Warning Signs Of Low Blood Sugar
Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is common among people with diabetes and can occur even when you're carefully managing the condition. "Hypoglycemia happens when the amount of blood glucose (sugar in the blood) drops to a level that's too low to sustain normal functioning," says Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDE, author of 2 Day Diabetes Diet. "In most people, this is defined as a blood-sugar level below 70 milligrams per deciliter." A review published in June 2015 in the journal PLoS One found that among people with type 2 diabetes, this is a far too common occurrence. Individuals with the condition had an average of 19 mild episodes of hypoglycemia per year, and nearly one severe episode per year on average. Low blood sugar was particularly common among those taking insulin. This decrease in blood sugar levels can cause both short-term complications, like confusion and dizziness, as well as more serious, long-term complications. Left untreated, it can lead to a coma and even death. To prevent hypoglycemia and its dangerous side effects, it's crucial to monitor your glucose levels and treat low blood sugar as soon as you become aware of it. Pay attention to these telltale signs of dipping blood sugar levels to make sure yours stays under control: 1. Ravenous Hunger If you've already eaten but still aren't satisfied, or if you suddenly, inexplicably feel as if you're starving, your body is signaling that it needs more glucose. Work with your healthcare team to determine the exact amount of sugar your body needs. A good starting point is the American Diabetes Association's recommendation to eat between 15 and 20 grams (g) of sugar or carbohydrates with each snack, and between 40 and 65 g at each meal. Some good options include 2 tablespoons of raisins, 4 ounces of fruit juice Continue reading >>
