Night sweats, or drenching sweats at night, can signal various conditions, most commonly infections (like TB, HIV, flu, COVID-19), hormonal shifts (menopause, thyroid issues, low blood sugar), certain cancers (lymphoma, leukemia), neurological problems (sleep apnea, stroke), autoimmune disorders (rheumatoid arthritis), and even medications or anxiety, requiring medical evaluation for proper diagnosis.
Causes of night sweats
Other causes of night sweats in males and females include:
Only refer patients with genuinely drenching sweats and any of:
High blood pressure doesn't usually cause sweating. However, a rare tumour called pheochromocytoma can cause both high blood pressure and sweating. Should I wipe my sweat during exercise? Sweating helps you cool down, so if you want to feel cooler, do not wipe your sweat off.
It all starts in a part of your brain called the hypothalamus, which controls your body temperature. Within it are KNDy neurons, which are tiny but powerful cells that respond to changes in hormone levels, especially oestradiol.
“It's very rare that night sweats are dangerous, so don't be alarmed,” says Dr. Banerjee. “But if they're persistent, severe or come with other symptoms like fever or weight loss, it's time to talk to your doctor.”
Leukemia and lymphoma are among the cancers associated with night sweats. Those associated with leukemia usually occur in conjunction with symptoms such as fatigue, weight loss, or excessive bruising. Leukemia-related sweats may also result from daytime fevers.
“Your doctor will take a look at your detailed medical history and may order tests, such as blood counts and virus and thyroid tests, to determine if you have any underlying medical conditions that could be responsible,” says Dr. Rosch.
Night sweats may be related to leukemia when they are excessive, causing a person to wake up drenched in sweat, even when in a comfortably cool room. In some cases, the sweating may be so excessive that a person has soaked their bed sheets or clothing to such an extent that they can no longer sleep on them.
Autoimmune Diseases
Excessive sweating is a common symptom of autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, vasculitis, and lupus. Those with lupus are at higher risk of additional autoimmune diseases.
Key Takeaways
Night sweats are a common symptom of both Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, affecting up to one in four people with Hodgkin lymphoma and one in three people with fast-growing non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Seek immediate medical attention if your heavy sweating is accompanied by lightheadedness, chest pain or nausea. Contact your doctor if: You suddenly begin to sweat more than usual. Sweating disrupts your daily routine.
Functional vitamin B12 deficiency is common and a major cause of morbidity. It can manifest with a wide variety of symptoms including fatigue and drenching night sweats. Low threshold should be kept to measure markers of vitamin B12 deficiency in patients presenting with these symptoms.
5 Ways to Stop Night Sweats and End Sleepless Nights
See a GP if you're sweating excessively and:
it stops you from getting on with your daily activities. it happens at least once a week. it happens at night (you're having night sweats) you have a family history of excessive sweating.
Conditions commonly associated with night sweats include menopause, mood disorders, gastroesophageal reflux disease, hyperthyroidism, and obesity. If a clinical diagnosis is apparent based on the initial history and physical examination, specific treatment for four to eight weeks may be offered.
Since sweat consists of various biomarkers, these biomarkers have played an excellent role in diagnosis of cancer, diabetes, schizophrenia, and cystic fibrosis. Conclusively, sweat can be used as a promising biofluid for disease diagnosis and drug analysis.
Non-estrogen medications used to treat night sweats include: Anticonvulsants (gabapentin, pregabalin): Also used to control/prevent seizures. Antidepressants: A low dose of Brisdelle®, a form of paroxetine, is FDA- approved to treat hot flashes.
Common signs and symptoms of lymphoma
Tumors can cause fevers, which may result in sweating. Feelings of anxiety about lung cancer or its treatments may also lead to night sweats, sometimes with nightmares. This is because the body's stress response can cause an increased body temperature, which can lead to sweating.
Night sweats are heavy sweating during sleep. This kind of sweating is different than the occasional sweating people have from sleeping deeply, being in a warm room, or having too many blankets. Night sweats are often so heavy that your clothing and sheets are soaked to the point that you have to change them.
An individual should be concerned about night sweats when they have been ongoing for two weeks or longer along with the below conditions: Unintentional weight loss. Fevers or chills. Body aches and joint pain.
"While they're understandably annoying, night sweats are sometimes harmless — and there are steps you can take to reduce the amount you sweat while you sleep."
Night sweats have long been recognized as a symptom of various underlying medical conditions. However, in recent years, they have also been identified as a possible symptom of COVID-19.