For most people, the involuntary loss of weight could actually be a good thing, but unexpected weight loss without the aid of dieting or exercise could also be a major cause for concern. This is especially true when it is accompanied by other symptoms like night sweats, excessive fatigue, or a loss of appetite. If you're experiencing a combination of night sweats and weight loss you might want to do a little more research to find out the root cause of your problem.
Night Sweats:
Night sweats have become one of the most common complaints of people for a wide range of reasons. The condition causes profuse sweating during sleep that can leave the person completely drenched. Most cases of night sweats are easily resolved by adjusting the room temperature, or wearing fewer bed clothes when retiring for the night. However, there are some conditions that are not so easily addressed that could be causing problems. These include reactions to certain medications, menopause, tuberculosis, and even viruses. When you experience night sweats alone without any other symptoms, it is usually a minor problem that can be easily resolved. However, when you have night sweats and weight loss you may be dealing with more serious issues.
Weight Loss:
While it is perfectly normal to see fluctuations in your weight, a major weight loss for no apparent reason could be the result of an internal problem that you will need to see a doctor to resolve. The two symptoms together could be a signal that something more serious is wrong and you need to get treatment immediately. There is a wide range of very serious conditions that could be behind the actual root cause of the problem.
For example, tuberculosis, a bacterial infection that affects the lungs can lead to a wide range of symptoms including the combination of night sweats and weight loss together.
Leukemia, a form of cancer that affects the blood, could also be the culprit. In addition to the weight loss and night sweats, patients may also experience a persistent cough, and bloody sputum. As the infection spreads to other parts of the body, kidneys will suffer, testicles, the brain, the digestive tract, and even the eyes may begin to deteriorate.
Warnings:
While it's not possible to say definitively what the root cause of the combination of night sweats with weight loss stem from, it is safe to say that the combination of the two symptoms often mean something more serious. If you're one of those who's suffering from this chronic condition, it is strongly advised that you seek medical attention immediately. Only a professional doctor will be able to administer the proper tests to uncover what's behind your symptoms. When your health reaches this point, it is important to confer with someone who knows how to diagnose the problem and start you on a treatment program so that you can get back to a regular life where your health is stronger and you can sleep through the night.