Hi, Noted your short and specific history of night sweats trenching the gown, your age being 73 and wants to know the cause. You were awakened by the excessive sweating. The most probable causes I can think about at this age of 73 are as follows: Some infection causing sweating is a known cause. Anxiety and stress also can cause such problems. Hot and humid atmosphere. I would advise you the following in such a situation: First of all, find out whether there are other symptoms like loose stools, upset stomach, any urinary symptoms, respiratory problems that can be attributed to the infection and sweating. Assess the stress and anxiety level. Check for room temperature, ventilation. Once you can think about the cause get investigated and clinically evaluated to get an appropriate diagnosis and thus get treated accordingly. If there is any infection then you will need a course of an antibiotic, symptomatic and supportive management. If stress and anxiety are the causes then control these. Watch for and if needed change the room temperature settings wherein you take a rest at night. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. T Chandrakant, ENT & General Surgeon