Case Study: Night Sweating

Night Sweating

SUMMARY

A 32 year old woman came into the clinic complaining of night sweating two nights a week. The sweating has been occuring for a couple of years with no known cause. The patient recieved three treatments. The patient was treated once a week for three weeks. The patient's night sweating did not recur after the first treatment. The patient did note that she felt warmer at night if she drank alcohol. The patient came in for a maintenance treatment nine months after the third treatment, and the sweating had not recurred.

Patient History

A 32 year old female patient complains of night sweating that occurs about twice a week without a known cause. These episodes of night sweating have been occurring for a few years. When they occur, her whole body feels hot and sweaty.

Objective Findings

The patient has a pale-red tongue body that is swollen with toothmarks, and a thin yellow coating (probably from drinking coffee). The sublingual veins are slightly pale. The pulse is 61 BPM, slippery, and thinner on the right wrist.

Diagnosis

Yin failing to anchor Yang: The pulse being thinner on the right wrist than the left, plus the night sweating, shows an imbalance between Yin and Yang.

Spleen Deficiency: The swollen tongue with toothmarks indicates a Spleen deficiency

Principle of Treatment

Balance Yin and Yang

Tonify Spleen

Treatment Plan

Treat once a week for 6 treatments. Modality: Traditional Chinese Acupuncture.

Results of the first treatment

No night sweating since last treatment. Trying to drink more water and stay more hydrated. has not been keeping symptom or diet diary yet. There were eight days between the first and second treatment.

Results from second treatment

Has been good. No night sweating. Woke up a little warm two nights ago. Did have alcohol that day, and thinks that it was a trigger. There were seven days between the second and third treatments.

Results from third treatment

The patient has not had night sweats for nine months. No night sweats since first treatment 10 months ago. Patient received an upkeep treatment.