Brief Answer:
Some questions for you to help me focus my answer:

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,

Do you have any other symptoms?
Some that go with night sweats include:
nervousness and weight changes
acid reflux
heat intolerance during the day
increased thirst and urination
cough
fevers

Also, how long have you had the night sweats?

Information will follow after I hear back - thanks

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Brief Answer:
Information about night sweats:

Detailed Answer:
Hello Mr. Barr,

Thanks for sending the additional information.

I recommend that you see your physician for an evaluation of the night sweats.

If possible, and if you think you may also be having fevers, check your temperatures at home prior to the appointment and keep a recorded log of these to bring in to the doctor.

Here are some of the things that should be checked, and why:

1. CBC (complete blood count) With Differential (blood test): to make sure there is not an infection or other abnormality that could cause an elevated white blood cell count.

2. Thyroid studies including TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) and thyroxine level (blood tests): too much thyroid hormone can cause night sweats. Hyperthyroidism is treatable. And hyperthyroidism can cause or increase nervousness.

3. A thorough physical exam to check for enlarged lymph nodes. Enlarged lymph nodes can be a sign of lymphoma, but please don't let this scare you as lymphoma is a fairly uncommon cause of night sweats.

4. Fasting blood sugar: low blood sugars at night can cause night sweats.

Some other things to consider:

Acid reflux can cause night sweats: You can try ranitidine (Zantac) 150 mg, 2 pills at bedtime, for 1 week, to see if this makes a difference. Ranitidine is an H2 blocker and will reduce acid production so that less acid comes up when you sleep. If the ranitidine helps, continue using it. It is a safe medication (especially compared with proton pump inhibitors). It is sold at drug stores without prescription.

Sinus problems can cause sleep breathing problems that can cause night sweats. Have you tried an over-the-counter nasal steroid spray such as Flonase (fluticasone is the generic)? You can safely try this. It won't start working until several days of regular use. If it helps a bit, continue it. It will decrease sinus membrane swelling.

If the Flonase isn't enough, and you have snoring and other breathing problems during sleep, talk with your doctor to consider a sleep study. Nowadays you can sometimes avoid having to go in to the sleep clinic (where it is harder to sleep!) for the study as there is a new way for the sleep specialists to record your sleep at home. You wear a device around your chest with a recorder attached specially made for the purpose, and the specialist reads the sleep study later.

You listed that you have combat stress. Are you waking with nightmares? PTSD? Because that can definitely cause night sweats.

So, I hope I have given you some information to get started with.

I'm including here an article in XXXXXXX Family Physician that explains things that can cause night sweats. It is written for doctors, but you may find it helpful.
http://www.aafp.org/afp/2003/0301/p1019.html

Please let me know if I can provide further information.

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