Sweating
Sweating is another symptom which is caused both by disease processes themselves and due to side effects of common medications. It may be fever driven, especially in haematological conditions, endocrine driven such as in carcinoid or hyperthyroidism or a paraneoplastic phenomenon. There may be psychological elements involved due to fear, pain, or anxiety. It can be uncomfortable, embarrassing and cause further complications to patients.
Non-drug treatment
- Environmental adjustment - thermostat, fans
- Use cotton for bed sheets and clothes rather than synthetic fabrics
- Frequent baths
- Acupuncture
Drug treatments
- Stop or use alternatives to culprit drugs
- Paracetamol +/- ibuprofen especially in haematological disease
- Sertraline 25-50 mg once a day
- Venlafaxine 37.5 mg once a day increasing to twice a day in 1 week
- Gabapentin 100 mg three times a day
- Dexamethasone may be beneficial in paraneoplastic or malignant driven sweating
- Anticholinergic medications may be beneficial as an antisecretory
- Botulinum toxin injections to the sweat glands may be considered by a specialist