The Article in Brief

Although patients often experience and have questions about night sweats, there has been little research on this condition. Many elderly people in particular experience night sweats, day sweats, or hot flashes. This study found that older people with these conditions are more likely to have other symptoms as well. People with night sweats are also likely to have fever, muscle cramps, numbness in the hands or feet, vision problems, and hearing loss. People with day sweats are likely to have fever, restless legs, lightheadedness, and diabetes. People with hot flashes are likely to have fever, bone pain, vision problems, and nervous spells. The presence of night sweats, days sweats, or hot flashes can provide important clues to other conditions that the patient might be experiencing.