What Causes Night Sweats?

Whether you want to or not, you sweat—it’s okay, everyone does. Sweating is our bodies’ natural way of cooling us down, and while it may not bother you normally, it can be a big problem when you’re trying to sleep. Night sweats are caused by multiple different reasons, including menopause, certain medications, and some medical conditions.

Night sweats can disrupt your sleep schedule and cause a restless night. They can be annoying, uncomfortable, and frustrating to deal with. But fret not, there are ways to prevent and control them. Our post will help you learn more about the many different causes of night sweats, and what you can do to ensure a dryer night’s sleep.

What Are Night Sweats Exactly?

Night sweats are described as repeated episodes of extreme perspiration that may soak your pajamas and bedding. While most of us experience the occasional hot night, night sweats are actually related to an underlying medical condition or illness, such as tuberculosis or strokes.

There are two categories of night sweats: harmful and harmless. If you get sweaty every now and then from too many blankets or a warm bedroom, your night sweats are harmless. But, if excessive sweating is causing you to feel ill, or if it’s causing a high fever, cough, and unexplained weight loss, there could be an underlying cause to your night sweats that you should see your doctor about.

Common Reasons for Night Sweats

Harmful night sweats can be caused by taking certain medications, medical causes, menopause, and pregnancy.

Medications

Medications including antidepressants, hormone treatments, and diabetes medication can cause night sweats. This is normal and happens because the medications cause a change in your body’s natural hormone regulation and sweat glands.

Preexisting Conditions

Preexisting conditions like cancer, sleep disorders, and thyroid disease can also cause night sweats because you’re body is fighting to keep you healthy. Sometimes, an anxiety disorder can also induce this as sweating is a natural side effect when your body gets nervous or anxious. For a comprehensive list of the different kinds of health concerns that may cause night sweats, check out this link.

Menopause and Pregnancy

Menopause and pregnancy are the most common causes of night sweats, as your body is going through hormonal changes. There are various reasons why you might be experiencing night sweats, but no matter the cause, it can be uncomfortable and frustrating to deal with, which is why we’re giving you ways to combat it and get rid of them for good.

Treatments for Night Sweats to Try at Home

Finding a solution that actually works can be challenging, but don’t worry, we’ve got lots of different ideas you can try to prevent and control this problem.

The main issue is waking up in the middle of the night and losing sleep, but it can also be tiresome to have to continuously wash your pajamas and bed sheets. Luckily, we’ve got you covered with eight different ways to prevent night sweats and find the right treatment plan for you.

1. Turn the temperature down

Hot weather is one of the most common ways harmless night sweats can be triggered, but turning your AC up at night, or sleeping with a fan blowing to circulate cool air will fix this problem. Most experts agree that the best temperature for sleep is between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Wear breathable clothes

Thick pajamas can trap heat in, so try out some light wear clothes for bedtime, like cotton or bamboo fabric. Avoid clothes made of wool and suede, and stick to loose-fitting, breathable fabric.

3. Avoid spicy foods.

Eating hot foods right before you go to sleep can make your core temperature rise, causing you to get hot and sweaty. We’re not saying you can’t eat spicy food ever again, but try to stay away from it a few hours before you crash out.

5. Drink cold water.

Cooling your body from the inside can help prevent hot flashes. Sipping on cool water before bed will regulate your body temperature and send you to bed cool and relaxed. Keeping cold water on your nightstand can also help you treat your night sweats faster if they’re waking you up throughout the night.

6. Maintain a healthy weight.

Studies show that people who weigh more, sweat more because sweat is a way to cool off your body, and the more you weigh, the more body mass there is to cool off. By keeping a balanced diet and maintaining a healthy weight, you’ll stop sweating as much overall, but especially at night. A relaxing sleep environment will help control feelings of anxiety and stress as well.

7. Try some relaxing techniques.

If you’re stressed, nervous, or anxious before going to bed, you could wake up from sweating too much. A good way to combat this is to try some relaxing techniques before you go to sleep, such as controlled or deep breathing practices. An easy one to test out is to gently place your hands on your stomach as you slowly breathe in until your lungs are full, hold for a few seconds, and then release until all the air is gone. Focus on your stomach moving up and down, and soon enough you will be relaxed and ready for bed.

8. Get rid of the excess bedding.

Too much bedding and blankets can cause overheating because the many layers trap all of your warmth within. It is best to on soft sheets and a high-quality comforter made of breathable material. Any more bedding and you may be causing your own night sweats.

9. Stop exercising before bed.

Regular exercise can help you sleep better. However, physical activity makes your temperature rise, but your temperature stays warmer even when you’ve finished working out. If you exercise right before bed, you will be going to sleep with an already high temperature, which won’t help you avoid night sweats. If you can, exercise a few hours before sleeping so your body has time to cool down.

These tips will help you take control of your night sweats and bring you a more restful and dry night’s sleep because night sweats are not pleasant, but you don’t have to deal with them forever. Trying preventative methods is the best start to getting it under control.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I be concerned about night sweats?

If you’re feeling fatigued and unwell for longer than two weeks after first experiencing night sweats, it may be cause for concern. You should visit a doctor if…

• You’ve tried ways to curb excessive sweating at night and nothing seems to be working,
• You have a family medical history of health conditions that specifically cause night sweats
• You continuously have a fever or unexplained weight loss

What vitamin is good for night sweats?

Vitamin E has been shown to reduce, or even completely stop night sweats. Vitamin E contains two types of tocopherol: gamma and alpha. Alpha-tocopherol has anti-inflammatory properties which can help decrease your body’s need to sweat excessively. Taking Vitamin E with your dinner, or right before you lay down will make it most effective.

Are night sweats normal?

Night sweats are a common problem for a lot of people. Though their causes vary, it can happen to anyone and there is no need for concern as long as it is not chronic. Feeling variations in your body temperature as you sleep is normal, and that is why sometimes you can get too cold or too hot.

How long do night sweats last?

Because there are so many different causes of night sweats, they can last for a range of different times. For example, night sweats caused by menopause can last anywhere from seven to eleven years, but night sweats from medication will only last as long as you’re taking that medication.

What material is best for night sweats?

Any lightweight, breathable material will be beneficial during night sweats. However, the best option is a cotton or Tencel fabric because they have temperature regulating and sweat absorbing properties. If possible, don’t limit this to just your pajamas, get cotton or Tencel sheets and bedding as well. What you wear is not the only thing that matters either, how it fits is also important. Anything elastic, too tight, or too heavy can trigger your night sweats. Eliminate things like buttons and snaps that can make your clothing feel too tight.

Conclusion

Sweating is a natural bodily function that everyone expects to deal with, but you should not have to suffer through night sweats. It can be nearly impossible to get a good night’s rest if you are constantly waking up in a drenched state. Do your best to keep your body’s temperature cool by following practices like drinking cold water and completing breathing techniques, and if those don’t work and you continue to feel ill, talk to your healthcare provider and make sure you don’t have any medical conditions you were unaware of. Stay dry!