SYMPTOMS

What is night sweating?

Night sweating refers to sweating during sleep when the ambient temperature is not high and the body is in a calm state, with sweating stopping upon waking. Some people also call this phenomenon "spontaneous sweating."

Not all sweating during sleep is night sweating. For example, parents often worry their children might "catch a chill," so they set the room temperature too high or use overly thick blankets, causing the child to sweat while sleeping—this is not night sweating. Simply lowering the room temperature or using a thinner blanket can resolve it.

TREATMENT

How to Relieve Night Sweats?

• First, actively identify the cause, as treating the root cause is crucial.

• People who experience night sweats should change clothes, bedding, and pajamas frequently. They should also bathe regularly to keep the body dry and reduce sweating.

• Lowering the room temperature can help alleviate sweating symptoms, but avoid making the room too cold.

• Maintain a balanced diet, avoid overeating or picky eating, and establish healthy eating habits.

• Ensure a quiet sleep environment. Drinking a cup of warm milk before bed daily can aid sleep.

• Exercise regularly to boost immunity.

DIAGNOSIS

Under What Circumstances Should Night Sweats Require a Hospital Visit?

For middle-aged women, night sweats can easily be confused with hot flashes caused by menopause. Therefore, if middle-aged women experience frequent night sweats accompanied by fever, irregular menstruation, or skin redness, they should first visit a gynecology department.

For other groups, mild night sweats are not a major concern. However, if severe night sweats recur (e.g., to the extent of soaking clothes and bedsheets), attention is needed, such as in the following cases:

• The room temperature is not high, but profuse sweating occurs almost every night;
• Night sweats have affected sleep quality;
• Other symptoms are present, such as low-grade fever or unexplained weight loss.

These situations may be related to endocrine disorders, infections, medication side effects, or other factors. It is important to seek medical attention promptly to determine the cause of night sweats and proceed with targeted treatment.

POTENTIAL DISEASES

What Causes Night Sweats?

Night sweats can be caused by various factors, broadly categorized into malignancies, infections, medications, endocrine disorders, neurological diseases, menopause, and idiopathic hyperhidrosis.

1. Malignancies

   Night sweats may be an early symptom of several cancers, such as lymphoma, prostate cancer, and renal cell carcinoma. However, they are often accompanied by other symptoms like low-grade fever and weight loss, so night sweats alone should not be interpreted as a sign of cancer.

2. Infections

   Chronic and indolent infections often cause night sweats. While patients typically exhibit other classic clinical features, in some cases, night sweats may be the only initial symptom.

   Many associate night sweats with tuberculosis (TB). While night sweats are indeed a characteristic feature of TB infection, they do not exclusively indicate TB.

   Other infections that may cause night sweats include brucellosis, endocarditis, osteomyelitis, pyogenic abscesses, and HIV infection.

3. Medications

   Certain medications are a common cause of increased sweating or night sweats, including antidepressants, antipyretics, hypoglycemic agents, and hormonal drugs.

4. Endocrine Disorders

   Sweating or flushing is a primary feature of several endocrine disorders, such as pheochromocytoma, carcinoid syndrome, and hyperthyroidism.

5. Neurological Diseases

   Neurological conditions that may lead to excessive sweating or night sweats include autonomic dysreflexia, post-traumatic syringomyelia, stroke, and autonomic neuropathy.

6. Menopause

   During menopause, drastic hormonal changes cause blood vessels near the skin to dilate, resulting in excessive sweating—especially at night—and facial flushing.

7. Idiopathic Hyperhidrosis

   Idiopathic hyperhidrosis is a non-pathological, benign increase in eccrine sweating, where sweat production exceeds the body's physiological need for temperature regulation. Anxiety may trigger episodes.

   This condition can be localized or generalized, often affecting the palms, soles, and armpits. Its primary impact is social embarrassment.