Don't sweat the server stuff
by Smitha R. Chadaga MD
I honestly have no idea how any job outside of medicine works. Seriously. When people say what they do I pretend to know something about that field. But, I don’t. And that especially applies to the tech field. So I’ll admit I have been fascinated to see how cutthroat things can get on Silicon Valley. No wonder Richard (Thomas Middleditch, @Middleditch) had night sweats in episode 5 of season 2. But did he have “real” night sweats?
Night sweats is sweating that occurs while sleeping and is severe enough to require a change in clothes and/or sheets AND not associated with an overheated environment or excess clothing and/or bedding.
The occasional night sweat may not have clinical significance. But if night sweats happen on a regular basis, wake you up from sleep or are accompanied by a fever then a doctor’s visit is in order.
Night sweats can happen with:
1. Infections – like tuberculosis or HIV
2. Cancers – like lymphoma or leukemia
3. Medications – including antidepressants and antipsychotics
4. Low blood sugar – especially in diabetes
5. Changes in hormone levels – with menopause, overactive thyroid, or after having a baby
I’m still not sure if Richard had “real” night sweats. But I’m pretty sure he wasn’t wetting the bed.