From the Guidelines
Yes, sleep apnea can cause night sweats. Sleep apnea disrupts normal breathing during sleep, leading to repeated episodes where breathing stops and starts. These breathing interruptions trigger stress responses in the body, causing the release of stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. This hormonal surge can activate the sweat glands, resulting in night sweats. Additionally, when breathing resumes after an apnea episode, the body often works harder to compensate for the oxygen deficit, increasing metabolic activity and body temperature, which can also lead to sweating. Other symptoms that may accompany sleep apnea include loud snoring, gasping for air during sleep, morning headaches, excessive daytime sleepiness, and difficulty concentrating. If you're experiencing night sweats along with these symptoms, it's essential to consult a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis.
Key Considerations
- Sleep apnea is a common disorder that can significantly impact quality of life (QOL) and increase the risk of various health complications, including cardiovascular disease and metabolic dysregulation 1.
- The diagnosis of sleep apnea involves measuring breathing during sleep, and treatment options include continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, oral appliances, lifestyle changes like weight loss, and in some cases, surgery 1.
- Effectively treating the underlying sleep apnea typically resolves the associated night sweats, highlighting the importance of early and accurate diagnosis of this common disorder.
Treatment and Management
- The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends positive airway pressure therapy for the treatment of adult obstructive sleep apnea, which can be initiated using either auto-adjusting positive airway pressure (APAP) at home or in-laboratory PAP titration in adults with OSA and no significant comorbidities 1.
- Treatment should be tailored to the individual patient's needs, taking into account factors such as access, cost-effectiveness, patient preference, and sleep clinician judgment.
Importance of Early Diagnosis and Treatment
- Recognizing and treating sleep apnea is crucial for improving QOL, reducing the risk of chronic health consequences, and decreasing healthcare utilization and cost 1.
- Early diagnosis and treatment can also help alleviate symptoms such as night sweats, loud snoring, and excessive daytime sleepiness, leading to improved overall health and well-being.
From the Research
Sleep Apnea and Night Sweats
- Sleep apnea has been linked to night sweats in several studies, with frequent nocturnal sweating reported by a significant percentage of patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) 2.
- The prevalence of frequent nocturnal sweating was found to be threefold higher in untreated OSA patients than in the general population, and decreased to general population levels with successful positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy 2.
- Nocturnal sweating was related to younger age, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, sleepiness, and insomnia symptoms in OSA patients 2.
- While some studies have found associations between subjective night sweats and other sleep-related symptoms, there is limited evidence to support a direct link between night sweats and sleep apnea 3.
Treatment of Sleep Apnea and Night Sweats
- Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy has been shown to reduce the prevalence of frequent nocturnal sweating in OSA patients 2.
- Oral appliance therapy has also been found to be effective in treating OSA, although CPAP may be more effective in lowering the apnea-hypopnea index and improving oxyhemoglobin saturation levels 4.
- Other treatments, such as positional devices, airway surgery, and hypoglossal nerve stimulation, may be considered in patients who are unable to tolerate or benefit from PAP treatment 5.
Key Findings
- Frequent nocturnal sweating is a common symptom of OSA, affecting up to 30% of male and 33% of female patients 2.
- Successful treatment of OSA with PAP therapy can reduce the prevalence of frequent nocturnal sweating to general population levels 2.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between sleep apnea and night sweats, and to develop effective treatments for this symptom 2, 3.