AboutMargot RN BScN CGN Expertise I am willing to try and answer any questions I receive. I do not usually do Homework questions but I am happy to assist people studying Nursing or any other Medical profession if I can.
Experience
Past/Present clients Hundreds of Long Term Care residents and Community Clients.
Experience in the area 20 years of Long Term Care and Community Nursing, specialising in Geriatrics, Gerontology and PalliativeCare.
Education/Credentials Registered Nurse , Certified Gerontological Nurse, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Question As long as I can remember my husband's body temperature seems to increase two fold as soon as he starts to drift off to sleep, and then he will begin sweating (sometimes enough to soak the bed. We have had two children together(3yrs & 6mo)during both pregnancies I tested neg to every STD (including HIV). The oldest dosen't hve night sweats but my 6 mo old sweats profusly upon falling asleep, about thrirty minunites after falling asleep she stops. So my question is: Is this anything to worry about? Could it be genetic? Or should I find the cash (we don't have any health insurance)to pay for a dr visit.
Answer Hi Kady and thanks for writing,
Sleep hyperhidrosis is profuse sweating that occurs during sleep.
Symptoms:
Complaint of excessive sweating during sleep
The patient may or may not have excessive sweating during waking hours
Associated features
The sweating can cause an awakening because of discomfort due to wet sleepwear, and the patient may have to arise to change into another set of sleepwear.
Some patients may have a lifelong tendency to sweat excessively during sleep; in other patients. the disorder appears to be self-limited. Onset can occur at any age, but most commonly seen in early adulthood.
Polysomnography shows: With quinizarin powder, which turns purple on contact with sweat, can be used to show affected areas to demonstrate excessive sweating during sleep.
Primary Hyperhidrosis: This type has no known cause and is so severe and debilitating that it interfers with everyday activities, such as working, going to school, etc. This type of hyperhidrosis is sometimes treated by operating to remove the sweat glands. We are not dealing with primary hyperhidrosis on this web page. Go to www.endoscopic-surgery.com/hyperhid.htm or www.hyperhydrosisusa.com/hyperhydrosis.html if you beleive you have primary hyperhidrosis.
Secondary Hyperhidrosis: This type is generally found to be a symptom of an underlying cause.
Sleep Hyperhidrosis can be due to a variety of underlying disorders, such as:
febrile (feverish) illness
diabetes insipidus (the chronic excretion of large amounts of pale urine, acompanied by extreme thirst)
Hyperthyroidism (A disorder in which the thyroid is over-active)
Pheochromocytoma (secretion from usually benign cells in the brain that produces excessive sweating as one of its symtoms)
Hypothalamic lesions
Epilespy
Cerebral and brain stem strokes
Cerebral palsy
Chronic paroxysmal hemicrania (sudden onset migrane)
Spinal cord infarction (sudden insufficiency in blood supply)
Head injury
HIV
Familial dysautomia (a congenital syndrome with specific disturbances of the nervous system)
Can occur in pregnancy and can be produced by antipyretic medications (anti-nausea)
The sleep disorder, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome
In OSA, the sweating is related to the sleep restlessness and movements. In one survery, 66% of those with apnea experienced excessive sweating.
Mild: No bathing or changing of clothes required; may have to turn the pillow or remove blankets.
Moderate: Sleep disturbed by need to arise and wash face or other affected body areas, but no clothing change.
Severe: A bath or change of clothing required.
Treatment: Treat the underlying cause of the sweating.
I hope this information helps, but I do think your husband should bring it up next time he does see his physician.
