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What Causes Night Sweats Along Wit Appetite Loss?

Posted on Tue, 17 Feb 2015

Question: Been having night sweats and loss of appetite. No fever. The night sweats just make the back of my head and pillow a little wet. Stuffy nose but that's been going on for over a year. The night sweats are relatively new as is the loss of appetite. My back and side are a little sore. Any ideas? There is occasionaly a weird taste in my mouth where things don't taste normal.

Answered by Dr. Ajish TP (56 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It could be a symptom of many diseases

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX

Welcome to HCM. I had gone through your question and understand your concerns.

Night sweats and loss of weight can be a symptom of many diseases. Usually if a patient came with night sweats, my plan of action will be:

1. Examine the patient to look for any swelling in neck, abdomen, thyroid
2. Neurological examination
3. Take a chest X ray
4. Blood pressure heart rate monitoring.
5.Blood tests: blood counts and smear, plasma glucose, screening for infection
6. Calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D, vitamin B12 levels

Based on these tests I will evaluate further. The common causes of night sweats are : Idiopathic (without cause), infections like tuberculosis(without fever), lymphoma, increased thyroid function, low sugars, rare causes like medullary carcinoma thyroid and adrenal tumours.

Underlying sinus infection or teeth infection can lead to weird taste in mouth.

Hope I have answered your question. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.

Regards
Dr Ajish TP
Consultant Endocrinologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju

Follow up: Dr. Ajish TP (15 minutes later)

Could the sinus infection possibly cause the sweats?

Answered by Dr. Ajish TP (14 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
If severe can cause night sweats

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX

Welcome back.

Any infection can cause night sweats - common one being tuberculosis, bone infections, heart valve infections etc. Night sweats is due to toxic substances released intermittently due to infections.

Sinus infection if severe, can cause night sweats. But usually it is associated with fever and severe head ache.

Regards

Dr Ajish TP

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju

Follow up: Dr. Ajish TP (2 days later)

Could an Inguinal hernia cause this? I've had that the last month or so. It's nearly doubled in size the past week and it no longer goes flat when I lay down. Up to last week it would disappear when I lay down. Gradually have felt worse the past 2 weeks.

Answered by Dr. Ajish TP (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
not a common cause

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX

Welcome back

Inguinal hernia can cause night sweats when associated with obstruction. It is not a common symptom of Inguinal hernia.

If the hernia is not going down while lying down please consult a surgeon. It may have to be operated.

Regards

Dr Ajish TP

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E