How Long a Lifetime Do You Want?

Question

I had to stop drinking for an unrelated digestive crisis. I am a 56 year old lifetime heavy drinker and I know what alcohol does to me. I am moderately dependent physically because I drink every day but I am able to stop with no serious issues when I need to. This time I am sweating an insane amount every night when I try to sleep. I have to get up in the night every night to change my pyjamas and bed sheets because they are literally sopping wet. Why is alcohol detox making me sweat like this when it never did before? Is this a sign of something gone really wrong inside me?

Dr. Mark Abrahams · Accepted Answer

You have apparently come to a cross-road in life. Your body may not be sufficiently producing Aldehyde Dehydrogenases, a group of enzymes that are necessary to break down and metabolize ethyl alcohol. Your symptoms are probably commensurate with your degree of dependence. Severe perspiration (hyperhidrosis), occurring at night can be a harmless result of too many bed covers or too warm a room temperature, but based on your disclosure of alcohol consumption, it seems likely to be symptomatic of alcohol withdrawal. I've looked for a link that addresses your question: http://www.md-health.com/Alcohol-Sweating.html , however, the only way you will know if you have become symptomatic due to infection or dangerously compromised liver function, is to have a complete medical workup with an emphasis on liver enzymes. That means you need to make an appointment with a physician ASAP.

About the Expert