READER’S NIGHT SWEATS TOO FREQUENT FOR COMFORT

Question: I am a usually healthy man, aged 50. For the last couple of weeks, I have woken up once or twice every night drenched with sweat. I sweat so heavily that I have to change my pajamas. My wife experiences these heat spells at night due to menopause, but what can cause them in a man? I have been feeling a little run down as well. Do I need to see the doctor, or will this pass?

Answer: Night sweats like the ones you describe are fairly common and are usually not a sign of a medical problem. Simple things like troubling dreams, the room being too hot or using too many blankets can actually cause drenching night sweats. That being said, if the night sweats persist and adjusting your environment doesn’t help, you should discuss the problem with your family physician.

As you mentioned, menopause is the leading cause of night sweats in women over the age of 40. However, both men and women can experience this annoying condition.

If this occurs frequently and interferes with your sleep, your doctor can help you rule out more serious medical issues that may underlie night sweats.

A simple review of your medical history may reveal the problem, as excessive sweating at night is a frequent side-effect of some medications. Most commonly, antidepressant medications and fever-reducing medication can lead to night sweats. Some high blood pressure medications, hormone therapies and niacin can also cause spells of excessive sweating at night.

If you are a diabetic on medication and you are having frequent night sweats, check your blood sugar level when a sweat occurs. If your blood sugar level is low during a night sweat, let your physician know. Your medications may need to be adjusted.

Recently an association has been identified between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and night sweats. Some preliminary studies suggest that when GERD is treated, the night sweats go away. Other conditions, such as an overactive thyroid or obstructive sleep apnea, can also cause night sweats.

Even more serious medical conditions can also cause night sweats. But typically, with very severe illnesses, such as tuberculosis or HIV/AIDS, you will notice other symptoms as well. These symptoms may include high fever, frequent coughing and rapid weight loss. Night sweats can accompany some types of cancer, particularly lymphoma, but they are also associated with rapid weight loss and usually enlarged lymph nodes.

It sounds like your night sweats are frequent enough to warrant a conversation with your family doctor. At this point, the problem is cutting into your sleep cycle, which probably explains why you feel run-down. Your doctor can test for underlying illnesses and determine whether medications should be adjusted. If nothing else, he or she may calm your worries, since anxiety aggravates insomnia. Be sure to seek immediate medical attention if you experience sudden weight loss, cough or fever.