Why Do I Sweat in My Sleep? Understanding Night Sweats and How to Fix Them
Waking up to a pillow soaked in sweat is definitely not the best way to start the day. No one wants to feel like they’ve just run a marathon in their sleep—especially after a peaceful night under the covers. It’s uncomfortable, confusing, and let’s be honest, very unpleasant.
If this happens to you often, you’re not alone. Night sweats can occur for a range of reasons - from what you eat to underlying health issues. In this blog, we’ll break down why they happen and what you can do to sleep cooler and wake up refreshed.
What are Night Sweats?
Night sweats are episodes of excessive sweating during sleep, even when your room is comfortably cool. It’s more than just feeling a little warm and your clothes and bedsheets may be soaked, making it tough to get quality rest.
Occasional night sweats are usually harmless. But if they become frequent or intense, they could signal something deeper and may be worth discussing with a doctor.
What Causes Night Sweats?
Night sweats can happen for many reasons, and understanding the cause is the first step toward finding relief. Let’s go over some possible reasons why this happens and what can be done about it.
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Improper Mattress
A mattress that traps heat can make your body overheat while sleeping. Generic memory foam and other synthetic materials tend to retain body heat, making you sweat more at night. Additionally, synthetic sheets and blankets also heat up your body.
What Can Help?
Switch to a breathable mattress made from natural materials like latex or look or mattresses that have a cooling feature like Flo Mattress' cooling 3D Air-Flo™ Technology pulls heat away from your body and pushes it out the sides of the mattress, helping you sleep up to 5° cooler even on a memory foam mattress. Good quality bed sheets with moisture-wicking properties and keeping the room cool with a fan or air conditioner can also help regulate temperature.
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Medical Conditions
Certain health conditions can cause excessive sweating at night, often as a response to the body fighting an illness or dealing with an imbalance.
Note: You should consult your doctor or a medical professional before starting any medications or before implementing any solutions provided below. The information shared below is generalised and your unique condition will need to be evaluated.
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Hormonal Imbalance
When hormones fluctuate, the body's ability to regulate temperature gets affected.
What Can Help?
Managing the underlying condition is the best way to control symptoms. For thyroid-related issues, medication may be needed to balance hormone levels. Staying hydrated and wearing lightweight sleepwear can also provide some relief.
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Menopause
Many women experience night sweats during menopause due to shifts in oestrogen levels. This can make sleeping uncomfortable, especially when combined with hot flashes.
What Can Help?
Keeping the bedroom cool, using a fan, and wearing breathable nightclothes can reduce discomfort. Some women find relief through hormone therapy, while others prefer natural remedies like soy-based foods or black cohosh supplements. Consulting a doctor can help you choose the best approach.
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Hyperthyroidism
An overactive thyroid speeds up metabolism, causing the body to produce more heat than necessary. This can lead to excessive sweating, especially at night.
What Can Help?
Medical treatment, such as antithyroid medication or beta-blockers, can help regulate thyroid function. Avoiding caffeine and spicy foods before bedtime may also prevent body temperature spikes.
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Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that affects the lungs and can cause persistent night sweats. This often comes with symptoms like coughing, fever, and weight loss.
What Can Help?
Seeking medical treatment is important. Antibiotic therapy is required for several months to fully treat tuberculosis. Managing fever with medications and staying hydrated can help ease symptoms in the meantime.
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HIV/AIDS
HIV and AIDS can cause night sweats, particularly in later stages of the disease. This is often due to infections that take hold when the immune system is weakened.
What Can Help?
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) helps control HIV and reduces symptoms like night sweats. Staying in regular contact with a healthcare provider and managing any secondary infections can also improve overall well-being.
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Cancer: Lymphoma and Leukaemia
Certain cancers, particularly lymphoma and leukaemia, can trigger night sweats. This often happens alongside fever, unexplained weight loss, and fatigue.
What Can Help?
Early diagnosis and treatment are important. Chemotherapy, radiation, or targeted therapy may be required depending on the type and stage of cancer. Keeping the body cool at night and managing stress levels can help improve sleep quality.
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Diabetes
People with diabetes may experience night sweats due to fluctuations in blood sugar levels. Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) is a common cause, especially for those on insulin or certain medications.
What Can Help?
Monitoring blood sugar levels before bed and adjusting meals or medications as needed can prevent sudden drops. A light snack before bedtime can help keep levels stable overnight. Talking to a doctor about medication adjustments may also be necessary.
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Heart Failure
Heart failure can lead to night sweats, often along with other symptoms like shortness of breath, swelling, and fatigue. The body may struggle to regulate temperature due to poor circulation.
What Can Help?
Following a heart-friendly lifestyle by reducing salt intake, staying active, and managing medications properly can help. In severe cases, medical procedures or surgeries may be required to improve heart function.
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Sleep Apnea
People with sleep apnea experience breathing interruptions during sleep, which can cause the body to overheat and lead to night sweats.
What Can Help?
Using a CPAP machine can help maintain normal breathing patterns, reducing overheating. Losing weight, avoiding alcohol before bed, and sleeping in a slightly elevated position may also help improve symptoms.
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Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Acid reflux can sometimes trigger night sweats, especially if stomach acid irritates the oesophagus and causes discomfort.
What Can Help?
Avoiding large meals before bedtime and staying upright for a while after eating can reduce acid reflux. Raising the head of the bed slightly and taking prescribed acid-reducing medications may also provide relief.
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Stress and Anxiety
When the mind is restless, the body responds. Stress and anxiety can trigger night sweats by activating the body’s fight-or-flight response. This increases heart rate and body temperature, making it harder to stay cool at night.
What Can Help?
Practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or gentle stretching before bed can calm the mind. A consistent bedtime routine and limiting screen time before sleep can also reduce anxiety-related sweating.
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Lifestyle Factors
Assessing your lifestyle factors might be a good idea if you are experiencing night sweats.
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Spicy Foods
Eating spicy food close to bedtime can raise body temperature and trigger sweating. Capsaicin, the compound in spicy foods, causes the body to feel hotter than it actually is.
What Can Help?
If night sweats are a problem, cutting back on spicy foods in the evening can help. Choosing milder options and drinking cool water before bed may also prevent overheating.
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Alcohol Consumption
Drinking alcohol before bed can widen blood vessels, increase heart rate, and lead to excessive sweating during sleep.
What Can Help?
Limiting alcohol intake, especially in the hours leading up to bedtime, can reduce night sweats. Staying hydrated and maintaining a balanced diet can also support better sleep.
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Medications
Certain medications, including antidepressants, hormone treatments, and fever-reducing drugs, can cause night sweats as a side effect.
What Can Help?
If medication is suspected to be the cause, talking to a doctor about alternatives or dosage adjustments may help. Keeping the bedroom cool and wearing lightweight pyjamas can also ease discomfort.
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When Should One See the Doctor?
See a doctor if night sweats are frequent, drenching, or come with weight loss, fever, or other unusual symptoms. If they disrupt sleep or worsen over time, a medical check-up is a good idea.
Closing Thoughts
Night sweats can be frustrating, but they’re not something you have to put up with. Simple changes like adjusting your sleep environment, managing stress, and keeping an eye on your health can make a major difference. If the problem persists or comes with other symptoms, checking in with a doctor is always a good idea. A good night’s sleep should leave you feeling refreshed, not drenched.
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