Night sweats are open to definition, as sweating is a common occurrence, and an episode of mild sweating at night is likely no cause for concern. Furthermore, night sweats as a symptom are not necessarily dangerous. They become worrisome if the sheets are drenched with perspiration or the heavy sweating is a recurring event. These symptoms can be a sign of an underlying condition and warrant evaluation by a professional healthcare practitioner.
Tumors
Benign and cancerous tumors may be a source of night sweats. Lymphoma is a cancer of white blood cells with two main subtypes: Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Leukemias are another form of blood cancers that can cause night sweats. Carcinoid tumors typically grow in the airways of the lungs or the small intestine. In addition to night sweats they can produce trouble breathing, heart disease, flushing and diarrhea. Pheochromocytomas are tumors that grow in the adrenal glands or nerve tissues near major arteries and produce hormones such as adrenalin that can drive up the blood pressure and cause sweating.
Infections
Certain infections are also associated with night sweats. Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection primarily of the lungs. It can be spread from person to person through droplets in the air. Brucellosis is spread by animals, usually from the consumption of contaminated dairy products. Endocarditis is an infection of the heart with any number of infectious agents. Osteomyelitis can also cause night sweats and refers to infection of bone, also from several possible different organisms. HIV is a viral infection that damages the immune system. It can cause night sweats, and make a person more susceptible to other infections such as TB.
Hormonal Conditions
Hormonal changes can also cause night sweats. For example, menopause occurs when the ovaries stop producing hormones such as estrogen. This can cause a number of symptoms such as hot-flashes, night sweats and irritability. Hyperthyroidism refers to increased output of thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones speed up the metabolism and can cause symptoms such as night sweats, heart problems, anorexia and anxiety.
Medications
Some medications can be responsible for night sweats. Hypoglycemics are used by diabetics to bring down high blood sugar levels. Fever reducing medications, called antipyretics, can cause night sweats. Other classes of medications with this effect include antidepressants, hormones, the vitamin niacin, the blood pressure medications hydralazine and nitroglycerin and the erectile dysfunction drug sildenafil.
Nerve Problems
Certain nerve problems such as a stoke can cause night sweats. Syringomyelia is the formation of a small cavity in the nerves of the spinal cord. Autonomic neuropathy refers to dysfunction of the automatic nerves in the body that operate without awareness, and can also lead to night sweats.
References
- "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine"; Anthony S Fauci et al; 17th Ed 2008
- "Smith's General Urology "; Emil Tanagho and Jack McAninch; 17th Ed 2007
- "Basic and Clinical Pharmacology"; Bertram Katzung, Susan Masters, and Anthony Trevor ; 11th Ed. 2009
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