Definition
Significant generalised night time sweating that soaks bedclothes or bedding.
Night sweats are a fairly common symptom and the majority of patients do not have an underlying haematological malignancy.
Medical causes are very varied and include:
- infection
- menopause
- anxiety
- endocrine causes:
- hyperthyroidism
- nocturnal hypoglycaemia in diabetics
- acromegaly
- phaeochromocytoma
- obstructive sleep apnoea
- connective tissue disorders
- neurological:
- parkinsonism
- neuropathies
- medications:
- antipsychotics
- SSRIs
- hormonal agents such as Tamoxifen and GnRH agonists
- alcohol excess or withdrawal
- drug abuse (including cannabis use / withdrawal)
- gastritis
- haematological malignancies.
Please see the Primary Care Management page for guidance on further investigation.
C.M & L.W 26-06-23
