Refers to drenching sweats occurring only or mainly at night and causing the changing of bedclothes.
Associated with Bacterial infections (pneumonia, endocarditis, lung abscess), Viral infections (Epstein-Barr virus, Human immunodeficiency virus, Cytomegalovirus), Mycobacterial infection (Mycobacterium tuberculosis, M. avium complex), Malignancies (Lymphomas, Hodgkin’s disease, leukemias, endocrine tumors pheochromocytomas, carcinoid), Endocrine processes (menopause, diabetes, diabetes insipidus, hyperthyroidism, acromegaly), Rheumatologic diseases (temporal arteritis, Takayasu’s disease), Drugs (salicylates, acetaminophen, meperidine, antipsychotic agents, antihypertensive agents, insulin, niacin, tamoxifen, alcohol, heroin).
May occur with pregnancy, obstructive sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and angina.