Generally speaking, a fever is a good thing — it’s a sign that your body is fighting an infection. But if your temperature reaches 103 degrees Fahrenheit or higher or if you have recurrent fevers, especially alongside other new or unusual symptoms, it’s a good idea to see your doctor.
8. Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which your thyroid—a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck that plays a role in how your body uses certain hormones for energy—lets loose too much of the hormone thyroxine into your system, the Mayo Clinic says. That can lead to symptoms like night sweats, unintended weight loss, an increased appetite, a racing heart, anxiety, and more.
If your doctor thinks you might have hyperthyroidism (not to be confused with hypothyroidism, in which your body doesn’t release enough thyroid hormone, causing different symptoms, per the Cleveland Clinic), they can test your blood to see if you have too much thyroxine and too little thyroid-stimulating hormone, which is a signal your levels are out of whack, according to the Mayo Clinic. If you do, in fact, have a thyroid condition, there are a lot of treatment methods to choose from, including drugs that stop your thyroid gland from churning out too high a level of thyroxine, beta-blockers that can slow a racing heartbeat, and more.
9. Certain autoimmune conditions
Your immune system is known for fighting off invaders such as viruses and bacteria that can make you sick. If you have an autoimmune disease, however, your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy body tissue, spurring widespread inflammation.
And inflammation can cause a fever, which may lead to night sweats. There are many types of autoimmune diseases—common ones include rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and lupus—and the symptoms vary for each one. Generally, though, autoimmune diseases can cause recurring fever, fatigue, joint swelling or pain, and/or swollen glands, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. If you experience recurring fevers and other new, mysterious symptoms that you’re having a hard time explaining, then it’s worth scheduling a doctor visit to get checked out.
How to stop night sweats
If you’re constantly waking up sweaty, Dr. Varga recommends running through a basic sleep hygiene checklist before you reach out to your doctor. First, make sure your room is at a comfortable temperature. This can be subjective, but experts say somewhere between 60 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit is likely to be the most comfortable, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
You should also purchase sheets and pajamas that feel lighter on your skin, Dr. Paauw says. Breathable materials, such as linen, bamboo,7 or cotton, may help you sweat less, according to the Cleveland Clinic. In terms of sheets made of “cooling fabric,” the experts SELF spoke to say those claims usually aren’t verified. In other words, you need to test them to see if they actually help you sleep more comfortably.
If you have a partner, another thing to consider is whether you’re “sleep compatible,” Dr. Pelayo says. If one of you likes to be ice cold at night and the other shivers at any temperature below 70 degrees, the partner who gets night sweats might just not be sleeping in the right environment. A potential fix: Try separate blankets.
When should you see a doctor about night sweats?
“Night sweats are a really common complaint,” Dr. Weinstein says. “If it is really bothersome and interfering with life, it’s time to see a doctor.” If your night sweats come along with fever, unintended weight loss, any new pain (such as joint or muscle pain), diarrhoea, coughing, or other symptoms that are new or possibly concerning, then you should schedule an appointment with a doctor. Some types of cancer can cause night sweats and unexplained weight loss, so it’s really important not to overlook sudden symptoms.
With so many potential causes of night sweats, it may seem like NBD, but you are well within your right to consult a doctor — even if it’s simply to assuage your concerns. In most cases, your doctor will review your symptoms, do a physical exam, and probably do some bloodwork or other lab exams as they see fit. From there, you and your physician can work together to get you closer to sweat-free sleep.
This article originally appeared on SELF.
Sources:
- StatPearls, Hyperhidrosis
- BMJ Open, Nocturnal Sweating—A Common Symptom of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea: The Icelandic Sleep Apnoea Cohort
- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Treatment Options for GERD or Acid Reflux Disease
- SAGE Journals, Evaluating the Autonomic Nervous System in Patients with Laryngopharyngeal Reflux
- Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, Discontinuing Antidepressants: Pearls and Pitfalls
- StatPearls, Physiology, Temperature Regulation
- Nature Public Health Emergency Collection, Innovation Strategy on the Example of Companies Using Bamboo