Night sweats can be a common symptom of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Starting treatment for leukemia is often one of the most effective ways to stop or reduce episodes.

Night sweats are a common experience and do not usually indicate anything serious. Episodes can often result from something as simple as a heavy blanket or a warm summer night.

However, in some cases, night sweats can be a symptom of a serious medical condition such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

When night sweats are a symptom of CLL, they’re usually a lot more severe than standard night sweats, and it’s likely that you’ll have a couple of other symptoms along with them.

Read on to learn how CLL night sweats are different from other night sweats and how to manage and prevent them.

CLL is a slow-growing type of leukemia that affects your immune system. It can develop slowly, and many people do not have any symptoms when they receive a diagnosis. Instead, CLL is discovered during routine blood work.

Some people develop early symptoms of CLL as part of their body’s immune response to the cancer. Just as your body temperature rises when you have an infection, it will sometimes rise when your body tries to fight off cancer cells (or as a result of chemicals they produce). This can lead to night sweats.

Night sweats can also be a symptom later on when the CLL has progressed. They can be a sign that it’s time to start treatment or even a reaction to the treatment itself. For example, chemotherapy is a very common treatment for CLL, and it’s known to cause night sweats in some people.

Additionally, some medications to help manage pain in CLL, such as opioids, steroids, and antidepressants, can lead to night sweats.

Occasional night sweats are common and can happen to anyone. The arrival of warmer weather, sleeping under heavy blankets, a hormonal shift, or a mild fever can lead to night sweats. So if you wake up with your shirt or sheets slightly damp once in a while, it’s probably nothing to worry about.

But if your sheets or nightclothes are drenched in sweat or if your night sweating is so severe that it wakes you up, it may be beneficial to speak with a doctor.

Your night sweats might indicate CLL if:

  • they happen even though you’re sleeping in a cool environment
  • they happen multiple days in a row
  • they cause your sheets or pajamas to become so wet that you need to change them before going back to sleep
  • you’re unable to cool down even though you’re soaking wet
  • you’ve never had night sweats (regular or severe) in the past
  • there’s nothing about your surroundings that could be causing night sweats
  • you’re losing weight
  • you’re in pain or exhausted all the time

Sometimes, one of the best ways to manage the night sweats caused by CLL is to start treatment for the CLL. Treatment can help lessen or even eliminate your night sweats. Often, night sweats can be a signal that you’re ready to begin treatment.

If chemotherapy and other CLL treatments aren’t helping your night sweats or are increasing them, consider speaking with your doctor. They can identify other treatment options. They might be able to adjust the dosage of your chemotherapy or prescribe other medications to help manage your night sweats.

These mediations might include:

  • antidepressant medications
  • hormonal medications
  • blood pressure-regulating medications
  • antibiotics to fight any infections you may have

Lifestyle changes may also help

In addition to medications, a doctor can suggest lifestyle strategies that may help, such as:

  • using bedding made from natural fibers
  • sleeping in loose and light clothes
  • keeping cool packs with you in bed
  • exercising in the morning and not at night
  • keeping your room between 60°F and 67°F (15°C and 19°C)
  • using a ceiling fan or box fan to improve air circulation in your bedroom
  • adjusting your diet to be gentle on your system and reducing acid by avoiding spicy foods and alcohol
  • quitting smoking if you smoke
  • treating conditions such as stress, depression, and anxiety, which can worsen night sweats
  • adding mindfulness activities, such as deep breathing, to your day
  • taking a nightly cold shower
  • keeping ice water next to your bed

In addition to night sweats, CLL may cause signs and symptoms such as:

  • unintentional weight loss
  • a tendency to feel full quickly or a lack of appetite
  • swollen lymph nodes anywhere in your body
  • an enlarged spleen
  • frequent infections that don’t go away
  • fatigue
  • loss of energy
  • shortness of breath
  • anemia
  • easy bleeding and difficulty stopping bleeding when it happens
  • frequent nosebleeds, bleeding gums, or unusually heavy menstrual periods
  • frequent bruising

When should I be concerned about night sweats?

It’s common to experience night sweats from time to time. However, they may be a cause for concern if you’re regularly waking up drenched in sweat. In this case, it can be helpful to talk with a doctor to rule out any serious medical conditions.

Why do I wake up sweaty at night?

There are many reasons you may wake up sweaty at night, such as hot weather, sleeping with a heavy blanket, or eating spicy food before bed.

How do I know my CLL is progressing?

Symptoms such as weight loss, fatigue, and shortness of breath can often indicate that your CLL is progressing.

CLL is a slowly developing cancer that’s often diagnosed before it causes any symptoms. When there are early symptoms, night sweats are one of the most common.

Night sweats are generally caused by your body’s attempt to fight CLL.

If you regularly experience night sweats and they’re affecting your quality of life, consider talking with a doctor. They may be able to prescribe medication to help you have fewer night sweats or recommend lifestyle habits to help manage this symptom.