
Many people sleep with the air conditioner on at home due to the heatwave. However, despite the cool temperature, some people sweat, which could be caused by certain medical conditions. Here are four common diseases to consider.
Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing temporarily stops during sleep. It is usually accompanied by snoring and a sudden gasp or choking sound. It often occurs in overweight individuals because increased body weight causes the tongue and tonsils to enlarge, narrowing the airway, and fat accumulation around the neck reduces the space inside the throat, making breathing difficult. During sleep, the parasympathetic nervous system should be activated for restful sleep, but in patients with sleep apnea who snore, the sympathetic nervous system is activated, leading to an increased heart rate and sweating.
Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland excessively secretes thyroid hormones that stimulate cellular metabolic activity and raise body temperature. The thyroid gland secretes hormones involved in energy metabolism that regulate the body's metabolic rate. However, when thyroid hormones are overproduced, symptoms such as excessive sweating, intolerance to heat, rapid heartbeat, fatigue, and anxiety appear.
People with anxiety disorders can also experience excessive sweating during sleep. Anxiety disorders occur when the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems is disrupted, leading to symptoms such as sweating, dizziness, and a pounding heart. In particular, those experiencing panic disorder may have sudden nocturnal panic attacks accompanied by breathing difficulties, sweating, and anxiety during sleep.
Rarely, blood cancer can be the cause. When blood cancer cells release inflammatory substances, the body's immune response causes sweating. If cancer cells cause inflammation under the skin, it may be accompanied by generalized itching. Sudden weight loss along with sweating, itching, and symptoms such as lumps in the neck, armpits, or groin should raise suspicion of blood cancer.
Sleep apnea
Hyperthyroidism
Anxiety disorder
Blood cancer