Night sweats are episodes of sweating occurring during the night. They are so intense that they wet the clothing and the bedding. The base problem may be taking certain medications (such as antidepressants, hormone therapy or hypoglycemic) or anxiety or organic problems such as: autonomic neuropathies, infections, thyroid problems, changes associated with menopause or other forms of cancer.
What kind of diseases can be associated with night sweats?
The following diseases may be associated with night sweats:
- AIDS
- Sleep apnea
- Pyogenic abscess
- Brucellosis
- Ulcerative colitis
- Sleep disorders
- Endocarditis
- Pheochromocytoma
- Stroke
- Hyperthyroidism
- Leukemia
- Hodgkin's lymphoma
- NHL
- Myelofibrosis
- Mononucleosis
- Osteomyelitis
- Carcinoid syndrome
- Siringomileia
- Tuberculosis
Remember that this is not an exhaustive list and it would always be better to consult your doctor if symptoms persist.
What is the therapy for night sweats?
The best remedy depends on the cause of night sweats. If the base problem is, for example, menopause, it could be useful to hormone replacement therapy. Other times you may need to change the intake of certain medications. However, you should not take initiative without seeking advice from your doctor.
There are even cases where the problem is quite occasional and is not associated with a health problem. In these situations we are not talking about real night sweats and it is usually sufficient to change the conditions in which you are sleeping to prevent an excessive heat leads to increased sweating.
When is most likely to contact your doctor in case of night sweats?
In case of night sweats, it is good to seek medical attention if the problem is regular, if it interferes with rest and if it is associated with fever or other symptoms, such as unjustified weight loss.
