NIGHT SWEATS
from the article "5 Common Sleep Disorders: Disturbing or Dangerous?"
By Laurie Sanchez, Lifescript Staff Writer
Published January 26, 2011
Reviewed By Edward C. Geehr, M.D
Night Sweats
If you routinely wake up with your PJs, pillowcase and sheets drenched, you're having night sweats.
There are several possible causes: a temporary hormonal issue (such as menopause), fever due to flu or infection, the side effect of a medication (antidepressants are one culprit), sensitivity to alcohol or an overactive thyroid.
It could also indicate another sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea, or a serious health issue, including lymphoma, HIV or tuberculosis.
What you can do about it: See your doctor if night sweats continue consistently for more than a week or intermittently for more than a month, says Jill Grimes, M.D., a family physician.
Because of the range of potential triggers, your doctor may ask about your medications and alcohol intake.
“Women in their 40s can develop an alcohol sensitivity that may manifest as night sweats after a glass or two of wine,” Grimes says.
Your doctor may order a number of tests, including:
* Checking hormones to see if you’re in menopause
* Tuberculosis skin test
* Blood work, to rule out overactive thyroid and low blood sugar
* HIV test
* Chest X-ray to look for enlarged lymph nodes, which can signal lymphoma
* A sleep study, if your doctor suspects sleep apnea is behind your sweats.
If your doctor rules out any serious issues, you may be able to minimize night sweats by cutting back on caffeine and alcohol.
Regular exercise can also help, Grimes says.
“It seems to help reset the body’s internal thermostat and may decrease the frequency or intensity of night sweats.”
MY THOUGHTS
this article should remind us not to disregard anything. night sweating can be serious and probably cannot be solved by a cooler aircon. it's scary to think that something as simple as sweating can be caused by an overactive thyroid, even lymphoma.
from the article "5 Common Sleep Disorders: Disturbing or Dangerous?"
By Laurie Sanchez, Lifescript Staff Writer
Published January 26, 2011
Reviewed By Edward C. Geehr, M.D
Night Sweats
If you routinely wake up with your PJs, pillowcase and sheets drenched, you're having night sweats.
There are several possible causes: a temporary hormonal issue (such as menopause), fever due to flu or infection, the side effect of a medication (antidepressants are one culprit), sensitivity to alcohol or an overactive thyroid.
It could also indicate another sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea, or a serious health issue, including lymphoma, HIV or tuberculosis.
What you can do about it: See your doctor if night sweats continue consistently for more than a week or intermittently for more than a month, says Jill Grimes, M.D., a family physician.
Because of the range of potential triggers, your doctor may ask about your medications and alcohol intake.
“Women in their 40s can develop an alcohol sensitivity that may manifest as night sweats after a glass or two of wine,” Grimes says.
Your doctor may order a number of tests, including:
* Checking hormones to see if you’re in menopause
* Tuberculosis skin test
* Blood work, to rule out overactive thyroid and low blood sugar
* HIV test
* Chest X-ray to look for enlarged lymph nodes, which can signal lymphoma
* A sleep study, if your doctor suspects sleep apnea is behind your sweats.
If your doctor rules out any serious issues, you may be able to minimize night sweats by cutting back on caffeine and alcohol.
Regular exercise can also help, Grimes says.
“It seems to help reset the body’s internal thermostat and may decrease the frequency or intensity of night sweats.”
MY THOUGHTS
this article should remind us not to disregard anything. night sweating can be serious and probably cannot be solved by a cooler aircon. it's scary to think that something as simple as sweating can be caused by an overactive thyroid, even lymphoma.
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