Night sweats and nausea can be caused by a number of different conditions. Sometimes people experience a handful of nights of poor sleep accompanied by sweating and nausea due to stress or minor infections, and they are not necessarily a cause for concern. It is important to see a medical professional to evaluate and explore treatment options if these symptoms persist, as they may be a sign of an underlying medical problem. If there are other symptoms as well, such as problems during the day with sweating and nausea, fever, headaches, etc., these can be important diagnostic clues.
Hormonal changes are a very common reason for people to develop night sweats and nausea. Menopause often begins with these symptoms, and people with hormonal disorders, including cancers of the endocrine system, can develop them as their bodies struggle to regulate at night. Another common cause is immunosuppression, which can be caused by an infection in the body that consumes the immune system's resources, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), lymphoma, and a variety of other conditions. They can also be the result of taking immunosuppressive drugs for cancer treatment or organ transplants.
Sleep apnea is associated with night sweats and nausea, just like migraines. Certain medications can cause night sweats and intestinal discomfort, including some antibiotics, antidepressant medications, and steroids used to treat inflammation. Low blood sugar is another common cause, particularly in people with diabetes. Controlling blood sugar levels before bed more effectively can sometimes address the problem.
Some neurological disorders also cause these symptoms. Also, people who react to foods to which they are allergic, foods that upset the stomach, or high caffeine intake may sweat at night and feel nauseated. As discussed above, stress can be another cause. People living in a high state of stress often experience gastrointestinal symptoms and may have problems with thermoregulation, leading to night sweats.
When people go to the health care provider for night sweats and nausea, it is helpful to be able to say how long they have been going on and provide information about other symptoms. Any major life changes should also be documented to see if they are responsible. Treatment of the underlying cause should resolve symptoms, and some patients also benefit from anti-nausea medications and other measures to help them feel more comfortable during the diagnosis and treatment process.