Night sweats
Night sweats are episodes of heavy sweating during sleep that soak clothing or bedding. Common causes include a hot bedroom, perimenopause, thyroid overactivity, anxiety, infections, low blood sugar, alcohol and certain medicines. Persistent sweats with weight loss, fever or lumps need prompt review.
Key information
- Symptom
- Night sweats
- Category
- General symptoms
- Common possible causes
- Warm bedroom or bedding, Perimenopause and menopause, Overactive thyroid, Anxiety and stress
- Tests that may be considered
- Full blood count, CRP, TSH, HbA1c
- Clinic assessment
- Available same day
- Home doctor visit
- Available across Dubai
- Home blood test
- Available across Dubai
- Date reviewed
- 2026-07-01
What this symptom means
Night sweats are drenching episodes of sweating during sleep that are not explained by an over-warm bedroom.
Common possible causes
- · Warm bedroom or bedding
- · Perimenopause and menopause
- · Overactive thyroid
- · Anxiety and stress
- · Alcohol and spicy food
- · Infections (viral, dental, urinary)
- · Reflux
Less common possible causes
- · Low blood sugar in people on diabetes medication
- · Obstructive sleep apnoea
- · Tuberculosis
- · Medication side effects (SSRIs, opioids, hormonal treatments)
Serious causes that must not be missed
- · Lymphoma or other haematological cancer
- · Chronic infection such as TB or endocarditis
- · Unintentional weight loss
- · Persistent fever
- · New painless lumps in the neck, armpit or groin
- · Coughing up blood
- · Severe fatigue with easy bruising
Call 998 (UAE ambulance) or attend the nearest emergency department for any of the above.
When a same-day GP is appropriate
- · High fever
- · Chest pain
- · Coughing blood
When a routine GP appointment is fine
- · Perimenopausal night sweats
- · Long-standing sweats with normal wellbeing
- · Medication review
Questions a doctor may ask
- · How often, how heavy, do you change bedding?
- · Any weight loss, fever or lumps?
- · Menstrual pattern and hot flushes?
- · Alcohol, caffeine and medicines?
- · Recent travel or infection?
History factors that may matter
- · Perimenopause
- · Recent infection
- · Family history of thyroid disease
- · Diabetes medication
Medicines that may contribute
- · SSRIs and SNRIs
- · Opioids
- · Hormonal treatments
- · Some blood pressure medicines
Never stop a prescribed medication without discussing it with a clinician.
What may happen during the examination
- · Temperature and pulse
- · Lymph node examination
- · Thyroid examination
- · Chest and abdomen examination
Tests that may be considered
Blood tests
- · Full blood count
- · CRP
- · TSH
- · HbA1c
- · LH/FSH/oestradiol if perimenopausal
- · HIV screen where relevant
Other tests
- · Chest X-ray for suspected TB
- · Sleep study if sleep apnoea suspected
When a specialist referral may be considered
- · Haematology for unexplained sweats with abnormal blood counts
- · Infectious diseases for suspected TB
Possible treatment approaches
- · Treat the underlying cause
- · HRT or non-hormonal treatment for perimenopause
- · Anti-thyroid treatment for hyperthyroidism
- · Medication review
Safe self-care
- · Cool bedroom (21–23°C), breathable bedding
- · Limit alcohol and spicy food in the evening
- · Wind-down routine to reduce anxiety
Best avoided
- · Ignoring red-flag symptoms
- · Stopping prescribed medicines without advice
How Aafiyah can help
- · GP assessment in clinic, at home or online
- · Same-week blood panel with home phlebotomy
- · Perimenopause consultation and HRT review
- · Onward referral where needed
Related tests
Related conditions
- Perimenopause
- Overactive thyroid
- Anxiety
Related symptoms
Frequently asked questions
Are night sweats always menopause?+
No — perimenopause is common but thyroid, infection, anxiety, alcohol and some medicines also cause night sweats. A short blood panel distinguishes them.
When should I worry?+
Weight loss, persistent fever, new lumps or coughing up blood warrant prompt review.
Can Dubai heat cause it?+
A warm bedroom can. Genuine night sweats soak bedding even when the room is cool.
Medical references
- · NICE CKS — Menopause — cks.nice.org.uk
- · NHS — Night sweats — nhs.uk
Medically reviewed by: Dr Shahbaz Afzal — British-trained Family Medicine Consultant, DHA-licensed
Written: 2026-07-01 · Reviewed: 2026-07-01 · Next review: 2027-01-01
This page provides general medical information for people in Dubai and the UAE. It does not replace personal medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified clinician about any medical concern.
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"Called at 8am with a fever, had a British-trained doctor at my door by 11. He sat with me for 45 minutes — not the 5 minutes I'm used to. Prescription delivered same day. Felt like having a proper GP again."
"We finally have one doctor who knows all of us. The kids actually like going. Follow-up calls happen without us chasing. Worth every dirham."
"The 40+ marker report came back with a real conversation, not a PDF dumped in my inbox. Caught a vitamin deficiency I'd been ignoring for years."
"After surgery I dreaded going back to a hospital for dressings. Their nurse came every other day, the doctor checked in by WhatsApp. Healed faster than I expected."
"Fell ill on day two of our trip. Doctor in the suite within 90 minutes, full assessment, prescription to the hotel pharmacy. Genuinely NHS-standard care in Dubai."
"My father refuses to leave the house. Aafiyah's team comes monthly, manages his medication, and treats him with such dignity. It changed everything for our family."
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