Night sweats - Causes and Symptoms

Definition

Night sweating is a symptom that manifests itself in profuse sweat secretion especially at night, during sleep.

This phenomenon does NOT depend on the excessive temperature of the environment in which it rests.

Night sweats can in fact derive from transient situations, such as states of emotional tension, incorrect eating habits and hormonal changes associated with menopause and pregnancy.

Copious sweating during the night can also occur as a side effect of some drugs (eg antidepressants, antipyretics and hormone-based medicines).

Night sweats can occur in cases of idiopathic hyperhidrosis, neurological pathologies (eg stroke, post-traumatic syringomyelia and autonomic system neuropathies) and infections (including flu syndromes, mononucleosis, tuberculosis, osteomyelitis and endocarditis). This manifestation also falls between the alarm bells of diabetes and hormonal imbalances due to thyroid problems, such as hyperthyroidism.

Night sweats can also indicate the presence of different cancers. Lymphomas can present profuse sweat secretion and widespread itching during sleep, swollen lymph nodes and fever rise. On the other hand, leukemia can occur with night sweats, profound exhaustion, weight loss, itching and widespread bone pain, infections and predisposition to hemorrhagic manifestations.