Remember how you would frequently suffer from night sweats whenever you contracted that annoying bout of the common cold or the seasonal flu? Obviously, waking up in a cold shiver is not exactly a great start to your day, but at least this kind of symptom is normal. After all, each of us gets an icky cold every once in a while, right? However, for a certain group of people, night sweats might be a severe symptom of something that is far worse than the flu: alcohol use or sensitivity. Sometimes, people who drink too much alcohol (due to an underlying mental problem or having a natural allergy to this drug) will suffer from severe bouts of night sweats. Why is this the case? Let’s take a closer look and find out some more information about this severe side effects of alcohol use disorder.
How Does Alcohol Trigger Sweating?
Although alcohol can affect multiple systems of the body in many dangerous ways, one of the most infamously severe impacts of this drug takes place on the cardiovascular system. After people consumes alcohol, their heart rate begins to increase, resulting in the widening of the blood vessels (vasodilation). Ultimately, due to this rush of blood through widened vessels, people’s skin will begin to feel hot and flushed, eventually triggering bouts of sweating. Although this incident can occur at any time throughout the day, alcoholics and alcohol abusers will typically suffer from severe sweating during the night (where we get the term “night sweats”).
Who Is Affected by Night Sweats?
As indicated earlier, addicts are not the only people who suffer from night sweats. Sometimes, people who overindulge in this drug or simply cannot physically tolerate it will also endure these unpleasant experiences. Let’s take a closer look:
- Alcohol withdrawal: People who drink overwhelmingly dangerous amounts of booze will suffer from night sweats, but victims who undergo withdrawal and detox will also endure these incidences. While alcoholics going through withdrawal may endure temporary night sweats, some instances will last much longer.
- Alcohol intolerance: Categorized as a genetic disorder, alcohol intolerance takes place when a person’s body does not contain enough of an enzyme to properly break down alcohol. Keep in mind that a flushed face is the typical side effect of intolerance, but nigh sweats can still occur in severe cases.
Seeking Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
Alcohol is a dangerous drug that can and will eventually inflict tremendous damage on your mind, body, and social life. Despite what medical reports about alcohol’s benefits for heart health and stroke prevention (which are true), alcohol (like any drug) can potentially harm you. Are you suffering from a form of alcohol use disorder? Do you have a friend or a loved one who is suffering from this problem, as well? In both cases, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our professional team of counselors and healthcare experts are ready to walk you through every step of the rehabilitation process and guide you towards living a happier, healthier, and freer lifestyle.
If you are interested in one of our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how to put a stop to your alcohol use disorder today.
