What Causes Night Sweats After Drinking?

Whilst night sweats can be an inconvenient issue from time to time, it may be that your night sweats are actually more inherently linked to drinking. Night sweats with other symptoms should always be shared with your GP, however, if you have night sweats following drinking, then alcohol is more than likely the culprit. Here is what causes night sweats after drinking.

Alcohol affects the body in numerous ways. Alcohol is a stimulant, therefore when we consume any amount of it, it will cause various physical symptoms. These may include palpitations, a wired mind, hyperactivity, impulsivity, nausea or diarrhoea. Night sweats can keep you awake and be generally unpleasant.  If they are isolated to just night sweats without other symptoms, it is likely that you have consumed a little too much alcohol and your body is dysregulated.

Why Do Night Sweats Occur After Drinking?

When we consume alcohol, the body reacts to the substance. Blood vessels in the skin will widen and the heart rate speeds up, very similar to how it feels when we consume coffee. Dilated blood vessels also create a sense of warmth through the body, which is why our cheeks can look flushed and we can more easily tolerate the cold air. These night sweats after drinking are not just limited to the evening. Any time we drink, these sweats can occur. But they are most common at night.

The endocrine system is the main system of the body that helps us regulate our temperature as well as our hormones. From time to time, these disruptions can affect us temporarily, but when alcohol becomes a problem, and addiction occurs, there can be some long-term effects.

Chronic alcohol exposure induces a decrease in LHRH, LH, testosterone, and progesterone and an increase in estradiol and FSH. These hormones can create issues such as headaches, mood swings, irregular periods and bloating and weight gain.

Alcohol doesn’t just affect the body in the short term. Once the human body becomes “accustomed” to a toxin, as in alcohol addition, it will continue to need it. Organ damage from alcohol, however, can begin relatively early. That is why monitoring your drinking habits, or creating a drinking diary, can help you deal with unpleasant symptoms, as well as track how much you drink, when you are likely to drink and how much you are drinking. These diaries are good if you require alcohol rehabilitation.

Who is at Risk of Experiencing Night Sweats After Drinking?

There are numerous demographic factors that could mean you are more prone to experiencing night sweats following drinking. This depends on numerous factors, including your tolerance levels, and individual factors such as weight, and medications. For example, if you take antibiotics with alcohol, the enzyme that is important for the breakdown of alcohol, aldehyde dehydrogenase can be inhibited. Mixing alcohol with illegal substances can also cause multiple problems, including mania, insomnia, hallucinations and sickness.

It is also important to note that alcohol withdrawal can also cause night sweats, but it is always important to consult your doctor if you’re concerned. If you’re already experiencing hot flushes due to menopause, then consuming larger amounts of alcohol can exacerbate the issue. Whilst some sources argue that men are more likely to experience night sweats than men, there is no real evidence that supports this. Age again does not play a factor, although younger people may be able to tolerate it a little easier.

Alternatively, people detoxing (safely) from alcohol may also suffer from night sweats. If you are in a rehabilitation programme, you will learn about the possible side effects of removing alcohol from your life.

How Can You Manage Night Sweats After Drinking?

In order to effectively manage night sweats, then removing alcohol from your life entirely is good way to improve them. However, if you still want to enjoy alcohol in moderation and mediate the symptoms, then you should look at the following:

Short term solutions:

• Gently rinsing your skin with cool water to remove the salt from the skin
• Change your bed sheets frequently to cool cotton
• Keep your AC/Heating at around 16 degrees for optimum sleep, and not too cold as this can lead to other issues
• Don’t overheat yourself with blankets to keep warm
• Hydration is key – ensure that you drink to sip on cool water often

Long term solutions:

• Remove alcohol from your life safely and effectively
• Improving sleep hygiene
• Creating an alcohol diary
• Addressing mental health issues that may be causing your excessive drinking
• Talking to others about your alcohol issue
• Regulating your body temperature with appropriate an appropriate diet that keeps estradiol and progesterone levels at a good level

Prevention is better than cure. Removing alcohol from your life, or greatly reducing it, will give your body a chance to heal. The liver will repair, and you’ll find you have greater energy, better motivation and improved sleep. Night sweats that continue without any alcohol consumption should be medically assessed.

When Should You Seek Professional Addiction Help?

Frequent alcohol consumption is particularly problematic when you have noticed that it is affecting your quality of life and causing a whole range of new symptoms. If you have been questioning what causes night sweats after drinking, it may be that you need to review your drinking habits. Alcohol addiction can be a slippery slope that may create long lasting effects. If you find that you are experiencing night sweats every time you drink and you are drinking more than the recommended allowance per week, it is probably best to seek out help.

There are multiple tools to help you with sobriety. Online groups and forums can provide helpful information. Alternatively, you may wish to join a local AA meeting, to speak out to professionals and meet like-minded people who are interested in changing their life path.

In order to gain help and remove alcohol from your life, along with the unpleasant symptoms it is associated with, please get in touch with Addiction Advocates today. You may call 0800 012 6088 or Text HELP To 83222 to speak to a professional who can give you advice regarding your alcohol withdrawal process, rehabilitation, and valuable health advice.