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Suggest Treatment For Severe Night Sweats

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Posted on Wed, 1 Apr 2015
Question: Hello,

Recently I started suffering from fairly severe night sweats. Drenched clothes and sheets typically. First happened a few months ago but then they stopped until last week. Now ive had a few nigthts in a row again with them. After doing some research ive scared myself into thinking i might have lymphoma since it seems like none of the other causes of night sweats ive read about really apply to me. Obviously this could be a huge overreaction on my part but its definitely a concern for me. Now im reading into every little thing my body does and its stressing me out. Any advice besides to go see a doctor? I plan on doing that asap but i thought this would be a good place to start.

Thanks

XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (58 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Of course you have to visit your doctor, but please check the list below

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

night sweats are usually of benign nature.
The most common cause is fever. When the fever goes down, sweating is normal. This usually happens at night.
Lymphomas is a potential cause as you mentioned but it is commonly accompanied by weight loss and fatigue. Hodgkin's disease would be a concern for you, taking into account your age. A careful clinical examination and radiological tests may help exclude such diagnoses.

Other potential causes include:
hyperthyroidism, alcohol abuse, anxiety, various drugs, nightmares, gastro-esophageal reflux disease etc

So in conclusion, I can't tell you the diagnosis - of course - but please note that in most cases no serious cause can be identified. If you have anything more to add, regarding your clinical picture (symptoms, body temperature, etc) please use your follow-up questions to do so.

I hope I've helped!

Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (5 hours later)
Good to hear. I didnt think it would be a fever since i havent been sick and it happened two different times. What did you mean when you said hodgkins would be a concern given my age? Obviously its not great regardless of age but Is it worse for younger people? The only other drug I use is marijuana. would that possibly cause it? Ive lost a slight amount of weight recently but i attributed that to starting to play hockey again 2-3 times a week. As far as the fatigue goes would it be significant and super noticeable if that was happening? Your answer definitely helps.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (10 hours later)
Brief Answer:
No serious concern

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

regarding Hodgkin's disease (HD), I meant that HD is more common in the 20s and the 50s. Perhaps a wrong choice of words! I didn't mean that HD is really a serious concern. I only said that because you mentioned lymphomas and HD would be more probable than a lymphoma. I hope it's more clear now.

Regarding drugs: withdrawal symptoms may include night sweats. Normal use is not supposed to cause such symptoms, although I'm not an expert on illicit drugs.

If you can play hockey then I suppose you don't need any more proof that you don't have anything serious. Lymphoma or HD associated low grade fever, night sweats and weight loss are almost always accompanied by fatigue, which means that the patient cannot cope with every day tasks. Hockey would be out of the questions completely!

Please ask again, if some part of my answer needs further clarifications.

Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (10 minutes later)
Okay great to hear that definitely alleviates a lot of my concerns. I thouroughly freaked myself out yesterday haha. Im clearly not very knowledgeable when it comes to diseases. My immune system has been great my whole life. I dont think ive even been sick (even flu or anything) since i was about 15 so ive never really had to go to the doctor besides the routine checkups now and again. I wasnt sure if the fatigue was extreme or if it was just slight iearly on in the disease or something. didnt realize that it would prevent me from playing hockey. Ill still go see a doctor in person but that definitely makes me feel better about it. Thanks for the clear answers! Great app.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (4 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
You're welcome

Detailed Answer:
I'm glad to help. Just remember that this kind of conversation cannot substitute a real clinical encounter with your doctor or laboratory tests, because the physical examination data are invaluable. So, you should see your doctor, but you can be calm about it, because your description makes serious diagnoses very very unlikely.

Kind Regards!
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 3817 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Severe Night Sweats

Brief Answer: Of course you have to visit your doctor, but please check the list below Detailed Answer: Hello, night sweats are usually of benign nature. The most common cause is fever. When the fever goes down, sweating is normal. This usually happens at night. Lymphomas is a potential cause as you mentioned but it is commonly accompanied by weight loss and fatigue. Hodgkin's disease would be a concern for you, taking into account your age. A careful clinical examination and radiological tests may help exclude such diagnoses. Other potential causes include: hyperthyroidism, alcohol abuse, anxiety, various drugs, nightmares, gastro-esophageal reflux disease etc So in conclusion, I can't tell you the diagnosis - of course - but please note that in most cases no serious cause can be identified. If you have anything more to add, regarding your clinical picture (symptoms, body temperature, etc) please use your follow-up questions to do so. I hope I've helped! Kind Regards!