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What Causes Night Sweats In An Elderly Person?

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Posted on Tue, 5 Jan 2016
Question: I'm a 52 yr old male, I stay very hot from the inside. Even if it's 60 degrees.. I will wake up at night and be solid sweat. I feel like all the heat is coming out my butt hole, I know that sounds strange but that how I feel like the heat is releasing. Help... Suggestions
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (48 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Please go in for evaluation - CBC, TSH to start with.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,

In a man, this heat and sweating are not normal, as you know. Especially, night sweats are concerning.

First thing: keep a log of your temperatures. You don't have to take it all the time, but a couple times a day/night when you are feeling particularly hot. Make at least one recording of your temperature every day.

And make an appointment with your primary care doctor - the sooner the better. Your doctor should look for a few things: possible sources of infection, possible endocrine abnormality, such as hyperthyroidism, and possible malignancy. I don't want you to get worried by the mention of malignancy, but I do want you to take action to make sure that is not the cause. When there are night sweats, that always has to be considered.

Your doctor should do a thorough exam including a rectal exam, and some initial lab work. A urinalysis, CBC (complete blood count) with full differential, and a TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone level) and either T3 or T4 (or both) for thyroxine levels. And a chemistry panel, including liver enzymes. He or she may also want to do other tests depending on your history and physical.

I don't want you to worry, but do take action to be evaluated.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (4 hours later)
Ty, what do you mean about malignancy?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
night sweats can have different causes, but malignancy is one possibility.

Detailed Answer:
Malignancy (cancer) can cause fevers and night sweats. The other things I mentioned such as an overactive thyroid and a low grade chronic infection can too. Lymphoma is one type of cancer that is sometimes associated with night sweats. But please don't worry about that until you come to that as it can be caused by these other things too. Please make an appointment and record your temperatures daily (and particularly when hot) until you see your doctor.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3134 Questions

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What Causes Night Sweats In An Elderly Person?

Brief Answer: Please go in for evaluation - CBC, TSH to start with. Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome, In a man, this heat and sweating are not normal, as you know. Especially, night sweats are concerning. First thing: keep a log of your temperatures. You don't have to take it all the time, but a couple times a day/night when you are feeling particularly hot. Make at least one recording of your temperature every day. And make an appointment with your primary care doctor - the sooner the better. Your doctor should look for a few things: possible sources of infection, possible endocrine abnormality, such as hyperthyroidism, and possible malignancy. I don't want you to get worried by the mention of malignancy, but I do want you to take action to make sure that is not the cause. When there are night sweats, that always has to be considered. Your doctor should do a thorough exam including a rectal exam, and some initial lab work. A urinalysis, CBC (complete blood count) with full differential, and a TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone level) and either T3 or T4 (or both) for thyroxine levels. And a chemistry panel, including liver enzymes. He or she may also want to do other tests depending on your history and physical. I don't want you to worry, but do take action to be evaluated.