Night Sweats: Is It Kidney Deficiency or an Illness?Lao Zhang woke up again from his sleep, drenched in sweat. This wasnt the first time
Night Sweats: Is It Kidney Deficiency or an Illness?
Lao Zhang woke up again from his sleep, drenched in sweat. This wasnt the first time. Since last year, Lao Zhang would wake up at night covered in sweat, his pajamas soaked through, even the sheets would be damp. This situation made him feel embarrassed, as his wife wouldn't sleep with him because of it: You sweat so much at night, I'll get your sweat on me when I turn over, and I can even smell it. I'll move back once you've been cured. Lao Zhang thought: Ive always heard people say that night sweats are due to kidney deficiency. Ive been feeling very hot lately, could it be true?
Night sweats, also known as excessive sweating at night, refers to sweating while sleeping, which stops when waking up. It commonly occurs at night and is often accompanied by symptoms such as dry mouth, irritability, and insomnia. Studies have shown that 10% to 40% of adults report experiencing night sweats. Is Lao Zhang's situation a case of kidney deficiency or an underlying illness? What are the causes of night sweats?
Causes of Night Sweats:
1. High Room Temperature: This is the most common reason, especially during the summer. If the room temperature is too high, even normal people may sweat in their sleep. But Lao Zhang's situation is clearly not this.
2. Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective: Traditional Chinese medicine believes that night sweats are mostly caused by Yin deficiency and excessive Yang, leading to the depletion of Qi and blood, and the loss of bodily fluids resulting in night sweats. This can be caused by Kidney Yin deficiency or Lung Yin deficiency. Xia Kunpeng, deputy director of the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Zhejiang Rehabilitation Center, pointed out: Kidney Yin deficiency is often accompanied by symptoms such as night sweats, dryness, excessive sweating, and dizziness.
3. Western Medicine Perspective: Western medicine believes that night sweats can be caused by several diseases:
- Hypoglycemia: Type 1 diabetic patients, if they feel sweaty and anxious when they wake up in the night, may have low blood sugar. This is because the temporary state of low blood sugar triggers the body to release adrenaline, a hormone that helps alleviate low blood sugar and also causes sweating. If patients don't inject the appropriate dosage of insulin before bed, they will often experience night sweats.
- Tuberculosis: Tuberculosis can also cause night sweats. Symptoms usually include fever, which leads to sweating and chills at night. In addition, patients will also experience weight loss, reduced appetite, and prolonged coughing. However, Lao Zhang should go to the hospital for examination to determine the specific situation.
Where the Sweat Comes From, The Disease Originates:
Besides night sweats, if the following areas frequently sweat, be careful:
1. Back Sweating: The back has fewer sweat glands and doesn't usually sweat easily. It typically sweats only during intense exercise or in high-temperature environments. If your back sweats easily in a calm state, it could be a sign of blood deficiency or excessive fatigue. For example, postpartum women often sweat on their back because Qi and blood are greatly depleted after childbirth. According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, the kidneys are related to reproduction and Qi and blood production, so replenishing Qi and blood after childbirth can effectively improve back sweating.
2. Neck Sweating: The neck has few sweat glands and contains the thyroid gland, an important organ. It usually doesn't sweat profusely except during intense exercise or high temperatures. If your neck sweats frequently, it could be caused by hyperthyroidism, leading to overproduction of thyroid hormones. Hyperthyroidism accelerates the body's metabolism, leading to easy sweating on the neck.
3. Palm Sweating: Palm sweating is often related to emotional fluctuations, such as tension and anxiety. The symptoms will subside as you calm down. If your palms sweat profusely even when you're doing nothing, it could be hyperhidrosis. Hyperhidrosis is related to overreaction of the autonomic nervous system. Typically, medical treatment is required, such as surgical removal of some sweat glands.
Summary:
Lao Zhang is sweating heavily at night, which is night sweats. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, night sweats may be caused by Yin deficiency and excessive Yang. From a Western Medicine perspective, it could be caused by several diseases: hypoglycemia, tuberculosis. In addition, if you find yourself sweating excessively on your back, neck, or palms, it could be a signal of a certain disease. Back sweating could be due to blood deficiency or fatigue, neck sweating could be due to thyroid problems, and palm sweating, if not caused by tension, could be hyperhidrosis.
Recommendation:
To clarify the reason for Lao Zhang's night sweats, it is recommended that he go to the hospital for examination and receive treatment based on the doctor's diagnosis.
References:
[1] 14. Beijing Youth Daily. August 20, 2019.
[2] . Minfu Kangyang Hall. March 16, 2021.
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