{"id":10641,"date":"2019-09-12T12:26:04","date_gmt":"2019-09-12T19:26:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sleepjunkie.org\/?p=10641"},"modified":"2024-03-31T10:04:36","modified_gmt":"2024-03-31T17:04:36","slug":"night-sweats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/healthysleep.org\/sleep-health\/night-sweats\/","title":{"rendered":"Night Sweats: Why Do I Sweat When I Sleep?"},"content":{"rendered":"

We’ve all been there \u2014 you wake up in the middle of the night covered in sweat. You pull all the sheets off your body, desperate for some cool air. This happens night after night and you\u2019re ready to figure out how to solve it.<\/p>\n

Usually, when you experience night sweats, body temperature is to blame. Elevated body temperature might be the result of wearing too many clothes, or could be related to a fever. However, some common causes of night sweats can be related to medical conditions.<\/p>\n

How do you know when sweating in your sleep is a problem? If you have so much sweat that you are changing your pajamas in the middle of the night and changing your sheets multiple times a week, it’s worth looking into potential causes of sleep sweating.<\/p>\n

In some cases, long-lasting episodes of night sweats are the first indication that someone has a serious health condition. Let’s take a look at some common causes of night sweats, or nocturnal hyperhidrosis, and what they mean.<\/p>\n

What Are Night Sweats?<\/h2>\n

Night sweats are common. Most people have experienced night sweats at some point in their lifetime. In one study<\/a>\u00a0of 2,000 people who visited a healthcare provider, 41% reported experiencing night sweats within the past month.<\/p>\n

In most cases, night sweats are a harmless and simple way your body cools itself. Without sweat, our bodies would overheat and we wouldn\u2019t survive. However, true night sweats are more than simple thermoregulation and most likely due to a medical condition.<\/p>\n

Why Do I Sweat When I Sleep?<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re wondering if you have a problem with sleep sweating, it\u2019s probably an issue you\u2019ve dealt with more than once. It can be scary to think that your night sweating is caused by a serious medical condition. The good news is that in most cases, the diagnosis is simple.<\/p>\n

Body Temperature and Excessive Sweating<\/h3>\n

You might be sweating at night because your sleeping environment is too warm.<\/p>\n

Where you set your thermostat can impact the quality of your sleep. Thermoregulation, or how your body heats and cools itself, is affected by heavy bedding and clothing.<\/p>\n

Do you layer on the pajamas? What about sheets, blankets, and comforters? Many people mistakenly believe that they will sleep better when the room is a little warm.<\/p>\n

Body temperature<\/a>\u00a0is naturally lower at night, thanks to your circadian rhythm. If you insulate yourself too much with blankets and sleepwear, you might not sleep as well. If a room gets stuffy or hot, you might find yourself waking frequently. If you need a blanket, like plenty of sleepers do, to feel comfortable, try looking specifically for a blanket that won’t make you hot.<\/p>\n

Sleep experts recommend keeping your sleeping environment at a cool 60-67 degrees Fahrenheit. This cool room temperature helps you get to sleep and promotes restful sleep. Your core body temperature drops one to two degrees before you sleep. Cooling the room can tell your body it\u2019s time for bed. The cool temperature also triggers the production of melatonin, the hormone that helps you sleep.<\/p>\n

Once asleep, a cooler room temperature helps you stay in REM sleep longer. If the room is warm, it could disturb you and wake you from REM sleep. Your body is not disturbed by cold temperatures when you sleep, so you are less likely to wake from REM sleep when your environment is cool.<\/p>\n

Medical Conditions<\/h3>\n

Do you sweat through your sleepwear and sheets in the middle of winter without the heater on? Do you need to wake in the night to shower because you are so sweaty? If so, your excessive sweating may be caused by a medical condition. But, if your night sweats occur only occasionally, there may not be cause for concern.<\/p>\n

Have you soaked your bed every night for over a month? If so, it’s worthy of a checkup where your provider will likely order tests. Many providers get concerned about night sweats that last beyond eight weeks.<\/p>\n

When you visit your internal medicine doctor or primary care provider, it helps to know some causes of night sweats that are not related to body temperature. You can discuss the following underlying medical conditions with them:<\/p>\n

1. <\/strong>Fever<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fever is your body’s defense against invading pathogens. By heating up the body, your immune system can destroy germs, and sweating occurs in the process. People with a fever often feel better and their temperature drops after an episode of sweating. Over-the-counter medications can be used to reduce fever.<\/p>\n

2. Bacterial infection<\/strong><\/p>\n

Your provider will assess you for bacterial infection by taking a detailed medical history.<\/p>\n

Risk factors for bacterial infection include:<\/p>\n