Do you sweat a lot while you sleep? Although night sweat can be a consequence of sleeping very warm, the heat or humidity of the environment, the truth is that it is also possible that it is a symptom of a health problem or condition that should be treated medically. And is that when night sweating is excessive, and you suffer from what is known as hyperhidrosis, it is essential to pay attention and go to the doctor, as it could be a consequence of very different diseases or conditions, from menopause or hormonal changes to sleep disorders, psychological problems, metabolic diseases, autoimmune disorders, infections, etc. In addition, night sweats can make it difficult for the affected person to rest and cause them to be excessively drained or tired the next day. Why I sweat so much sleeping, continue reading this article by FastlyHealin, in which we explain it in detail.
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Why do we sweat while we sleep
The night sweats are sometimes not an alarm signal and are due to some external, as discussed below factors.
In addition to this, first of all, it is necessary to clarify that during the night, the body temperature drops to indicate that it is the time for rest and maintain energy, which allows the muscles and tissues to be repaired and the body to recover from everything work done during the day. If in this resting situation, what happens is that the body temperature rises and does not adjust for the time of sleep, you may start to sweat to regulate your body temperature and, therefore, do not be alarmed. This is also what happens when we have fear or nightmares, which can cause us to sweat, and in response, our sweat glands are activated to help cool the body.
As we have advanced, in addition to the normal process of the body’s sweat, some external factors can cause us to sweat while we sleep, and that should be taken into account before becoming alarmed. These can be the following:
- The ambient temperature of the room in which we sleep.
- Humidity.
- Sleeping very warm or with a lot of bedding.
- Rest on a too-soft mattress made up of acrylic fabrics.
However, when night sweating is excessive (hyperhidrosis) and, in addition, in many cases, it is accompanied by other types of symptoms, it is essential to pay attention to it and find out what the exact cause is, as it could be a consequence of some disorder or disease that require medical attention. As we will show below, there are very diverse causes that can answer the question of why I sweat so much while sleeping.
Night sweats in menopause.
During the perimenopausal and menopausal stages, you are very likely to suffer from sudden night sweats. These are caused by the decrease of estrogens in the female body, which causes the body temperature to rise considerably. In addition to sweating, women often experience a great sensation of heat from the chest to the neck and face, accompanied by other symptoms such as reddened skin, dizziness, and headaches.
This decrease in estrogen levels can also cause other symptoms such as urinary tract problems, weaker bones, weight gain, vaginal dryness, fatigue, sleep disorders, psychological disturbances, etc. In the following FastlyHealarticle, we show in detail the symptoms of menopause and how to alleviate them.
Likewise, the hormonal changes in a woman’s body during the menstrual cycle can also cause night sweats.
Night sweat from anxiety
Anxiety, in addition to the many psychological and emotional symptoms that it causes in the person who suffers it, can also give rise to a series of physical symptoms: night sweats. And it is that night sweating becomes one more method of the body to free itself of all the stress, tension, worry, and accumulated nervousness.
In cases of anxiety, excessive sweating at night can be accompanied by hot flashes, nightmares, and sleep disorders such as insomnia. Suppose we are not able to control pressure by ourselves. In that case, we must put ourselves in the hands of a specialist to help us channel all tensions and teach us the relaxation techniques that will allow us to overcome this situation and achieve well-being physically and mentally.
Sweating while sleeping from sleep apnea
Apnea sleep is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by the cessation of breathing for a short time while the person affected is sleeping. The airways become obstructed, and a great sensation of suffocation is generated, making it difficult or impossible to rest at night.
This cessation of breathing is usually accompanied by other symptoms: night sweats, intense and constant snoring, drowsiness, tiredness, irritability, headache, dry mouth when waking up, etc. Given these symptoms or the suspicion of having sleep apnea, it is essential to put yourself in the hands of a doctor to avoid serious complications, such as heart problems. In the following FastlyHealarticle, we explain sleep apnea’s causes, symptoms, and treatment.
Other diseases that can cause excessive night sweats
In addition to the causes of night sweats above, other types of diseases can also cause the person suffering from them to sweat while sleeping. Among these are the following:
- Autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
- Infectious diseases, such as influenza, AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria.
- Neurological diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, stroke, epilepsy.
- Metabolic diseases, such as diabetes or hyperthyroidism.
- Tumors
- Hypertension.
Other causes of sweating while we sleep
- Some medications, such as antidepressants, hormonal compounds, or drugs, are consumed to lower blood glucose levels.
- We are consuming alcohol or drugs before sleeping.
- Eating large amounts of food before going to bed and eating spicy food can increase body temperature.
- Drink caffeine before bed.
Tips to avoid night sweats
Suppose you suffer from excessive night sweats and do not know the cause. It is best to consult your doctor and inform him if you have any other symptoms because, depending on the original factor, one treatment or another should be followed.
To try to avoid sweating at night and alleviate night sweats when it appears, you can put into practice the recommendations that we detail below:
- Try to maintain a reasonable temperature and ventilate the room daily.
- Wear loose, breathable clothing to sleep.
- Stay hydrated throughout the day, and keep a bottle of water handy by your bed to hydrate and refresh yourself at night if you need it.
- Watch your diet and avoid eating foods that increase body temperatures, such as scorching foods, very spicy foods, and those rich in iodine, alcohol, and caffeine. Conversely, soy, foods with vitamin E, and those that contain iron are good options to reduce excessive sweating.
- Take a warm bath or shower before going to sleep.
- Do physical exercise every day and preferably in the late afternoon.
- Reduce daily stress by doing activities that help you relax.
- Watch your weight and reduce it if necessary with the help of a professional nutritionist.
There are natural products that are excellent to combat the problem of sweating a lot. Discover them all in the article Home remedies for excessive sweating.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any condition or discomfort.
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I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.