Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night sweating for seemingly no reason? There are several things that can cause night sweats, including menopause, low blood sugar, fevers, and certain medications. However, if you’ve previously been drinking heavily and find yourself sweating, you might be experiencing alcohol withdrawal. You don’t necessarily have to be an alcoholic to go through withdrawal – people who binge drink can experience the symptoms as well – but it’s still a sign that you need to get your drinking under control.
Of course, night sweats aren’t the only symptom of alcohol withdrawal. Some other effects are: sweating, clammy skin, nausea, shakiness, nightmares, difficulty sleeping, fatigue, headaches, loss of appetite, body aches, restlessness, muscle pains, fever, nausea, shakiness, nightmares, anxiety, depression, difficulty sleeping, fatigue, headaches, loss of appetite, body aches, restlessness, muscle pains, and fever. These symptoms usually occur within eight hours after your last drink, but it can happen days later. Symptoms usually peak by 24 to 72 hours, although it’s possible for them to last for weeks.
Another way that alcohol can induce night sweats is if you have an alcohol intolerance, which is caused by a genetic mutation that keeps the body from being able to break down alcohol properly. Some of the other symptoms include stuffy nose, breathing problems, itchy red bumps, low blood pressure, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and flushed skin. The only way to avoid the effects of alcohol intolerance is to stop drinking completely.
So how does alcohol cause sweating? Drinking can increase your heart rate and widen the blood vessels in your skin, which can cause perspiration. Does having night sweats help the alcohol leave your body faster? Unfortunately, no. According to researchers at George Washington University, only about 10 percent of the alcohol you drink is expelled from your body through urine, breath, and perspiration. The rest is broken down and has to be processed through your system.
If you’re having night sweats, whether alcohol-related or not, here are some tips: wash or rinse your skin to remove salt from dried sweat, change your sheets before you get back into bed, keep your bedroom at a cool temperature, avoid using too many heavy blankets or sleeping in warm clothing, and drink plenty of water to replenish lost fluids.
If you think that your night sweats might be due to alcohol withdrawal, you should contact a medical professional. Withdrawal can sometimes be life-threatening, but it’s always unpleasant. If you’re unable to stop drinking on your own, consider checking into a rehab facility or at least getting outpatient therapy. Treatment centers will often provide sedatives or other medication to help you get through the worst of it.
If you or a loved one need help with quitting drugs or alcohol, consider Asana Recovery. We offer medical detox, along with both residential and outpatient programs, and you’ll be supervised by a highly trained staff of medical professionals, counselors, and therapists. Call us any time at (949) 438-4504 to get started.
