Night Sweats: Hormones, Heat, or Hidden Danger?

Hot Nights, Cold Truths: Balancing Yin and Yang in the Modern World

“Night Sweats: Just Heat—or a Warning From the Body?”

by Dr. Phumlarp Caulo/ Caulo Care Acupuncture

🧾 Night Sweats: Just Heat—or a Warning From the Body?

In the present day, waking up drenched in sweat may be easily dismissed as a hormonal fluctuation or a stressful night. But in the 16th century, it could be a death sentence.

🕰️ The English Sweating Sickness: A Deadly Fever That Killed Within Hours

In 1551, as the mysterious disease known as Sweating Sickness swept through Shrewsbury, England, physician Dr. John Caius meticulously documented its symptoms in his book:

📘 “A Boke or Counseill Against the Disease Commonly Called the Sweate, or Sweatyng Sicknesse.”

Also known as the English Sweating Sickness, it first emerged in 1485 during the War of the Roses and reappeared in several deadly waves until it disappeared entirely after 1551.

Patients experienced:

• Sudden chills and violent shivering

• Severe headaches and back pain

• Profuse sweating that poured as if a faucet had opened

• Death often occurs within mere hours

Its cause remains unknown. Some historians suspect a hantavirus, while others propose an overactive immune responseakin to modern cytokine storms.

🌿 A Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) View: “Sweat is the Spirit of Yang”

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, sweat is not merely waste—it is the essence of Yang, vital for supporting key organs like the Heart and Kidneys. Unexplained night sweats, particularly during sleep, indicate Yin Deficiency—when the body lacks the cooling, nourishing force to restrain inner fire. This allows Yang energy to erupt unregulated, causing excessive sweating.

⚖️ “Yang without Yin is like a wild horse without reins.”— Classic saying from the Ming Dynasty

Sweating Sickness, in TCM terms, could be described as Yang out of control, consuming itself without the stabilizing force of Yin.

🔍 Understanding Night Sweats Today

I. Modern Medical Explanation

Common causes include:

1. Hormonal changes

   • Women: Perimenopause or menopause → decreased estrogen disrupts thermoregulation

   • Men: Age-related drop in testosterone (Andropause) → heat intolerance

2. Chronic infections: Tuberculosis, HIV, lymphoma

3. Autonomic dysfunction: Diabetes, hyperthyroidism

4. Medications: Antidepressants, antihypertensives, antipyretics

II. TCM Perspective

• Women: Kidney Yin Deficiency → night heat, palpitations, dry mouth, sweaty sleep

• Men (middle-aged): Kidney Yang Deficiency + Spleen Qi Deficiency → fatigue, low libido, cold limbs, nighttime sweating without heat

Acupuncture Points to Support Balance:

• HT7 (Shenmen) – Calms the heart and mind

• SP6 (Sanyinjiao) – Regulates Yin in the Liver, Spleen, and Kidney

• KD3 (Taixi) – Tonifies Kidney Yin

III. Psychiatric Factors

Night sweats can stem from emotional or psychological triggers:

1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder – Overactive sympathetic nervous system

2. PTSD – Nightmares and physical fear responses

3. Depression – Dysregulated autonomic function

4. Psychiatric medications – SSRIs and SNRIs often cause nocturnal sweating

✅ Prevention Tips

1. Sleep Hygiene

   • Consistent sleep schedule (9:30–10:30 PM)

   • Avoid spicy food, caffeine, and alcohol after 5 PM

   • Herbal teas (chrysanthemum, mulberry leaf)

   • Warm foot soaks before bed

   • No screen time 1 hour before sleep

2. Balanced Exercise

   • Tai Chi or Qi Gong 3–5 days/week

   • Gentle walking after dinner

3. Avoid External Triggers

   • Keep the room temperature moderate

   • Wear breathable fabrics

   • Manage work stress with breathing techniques

✅ Treatment Approach

🌿 TCM Remedies:

• Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan – Yin tonic for heat at night, vivid dreams, excessive sweating

• Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan – Nourishes Heart-Yin for those with insomnia, emotional heat

💉 Acupuncture:

• HT7, KD3, SP6 – Regulate the Heart, calm the spirit, strengthen Yin

🔬 Modern Medicine:

• Hormone replacement if appropriate (HRT or testosterone)

• Screening for infections, thyroid dysfunction, and blood glucose

• Adjusting medications if necessary

🧠 Mind-Body Therapies:

• CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)

• Mindfulness and Breathwork

• Medication for anxiety/depression if clinically indicated

🔔 A Message From the Body—Or From the Past?

Night sweats may not mean you’re dying, as they once did during the Sweating Sickness epidemic.But they might still be your body’s early warning system—that your heart, your hormones, or your mind needs support.

“Sweat may have saved us from disease in the past…or it may now be warning us about one to come.”

This information is only educational and should not be construed as medical advice.

Everything must be balanced, and the suggestions may not apply to you.

A specialist doctor should be consulted for any medical advice or diagnosis.

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT NOW!

Acupuncture near me at Forest Hill, NY

🔶🔷🔶🔷🔶🔷🔶🔷🔶🔷🔶🔷

Dr. Phumlarp Caulo LA,c, MAc. OM, DAHM

Doctor of Acupuncture/Chinese Medicine

Caulo Care Acupuncture

🔖 By appointment only

📧 bookingcaulocare@gmail.com

☎️+1 (929) 269-4549

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