Is It Normal To Sweat At Night?

Sweat is the body’s natural way of cooling. Usually it is activated with hot weather or during exercise. But there is a time and a place for sweat, and while we can usually expect to sweat at the gym, sweating while we sleep can be uncomfortable and even alarming. There are many factors that can lead to night sweats. Learn to recognize the symptoms and be informed. Is it normal to sweat while you sleep?

Why do I sweat when I sleep?

No one wants to wake up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat, and in order to discover the possible causes of night sweats, it is important to consider a number of factors. The first and most obvious cause is the room temperature and the overall comfort level of the environment you sleep in.

Heat isn’t the only thing that can trigger night sweats – humidity can play an important role too. Other potential contributing factors include heavy blankets, wearing warm pajamas, or general discomfort caused by an old mattress or noisy bedroom.

The next thing to consider is your health. Have you recently changed your diet? Are you tired or do you feel fatigued? Flu symptoms include fever, which is the body’s natural response to an infection. Night sweats can be caused by a fever, a cold, or the flu. However, this only takes a day or two. If it takes longer, it could indicate a serious condition.

One of the most common causes of night sweats are hot flashes, associated with menopause, which are caused by hormonal changes in the body. A sudden drop in estrogen production can cause a hormonal imbalance in the hypothalamus, which in turn can cause an immediate spike of up to 6 degrees in a woman’s body temperature. [source: Breastcancer.org]

Men are not exempt from this condition. Some men who are deficient in testosterone may experience similar effects. Men who use drugs that block the production of testosterone can also suffer from this. Most people won’t admit to experiencing hot flashes, but androgen deficiency can certainly lead to night sweats [source: Harvard Medical School].

Is it normal to sweat when I sleep?

Many prescription medications can increase your heart rate and widen the blood vessels on the surface of the skin. This can result in excessive sweating. Antipyretics or drugs that reduce fever are the most common culprits.

When they discover flu-like symptoms, many people turn to aspirin and other drugs. These drugs are effective in reducing fever, but they can also cause night sweats. Antidepressants are another type of drug that can cause night sweats  [source: American Academy of Family Physicians].

Infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and AIDS can also cause night sweats. Having a persistent fever along with night sweats is common in people who have tested HIV positive. Hodgkin’s disease, a form of lymphoma, is an infectious disease that can cause fever and intense night sweats in patients.

Drinking alcohol before going to sleep can cause some people to sweat at night. While a glass of wine helps us fall asleep, studies have shown that alcohol-induced sleep is less restful and makes us prone to headaches and night sweats [Source: American Academy of Family Physicians] .

Another possible factor that can cause night sweats is eating spicy foods. When we eat a spicy meal, we immediately experience discomfort. However, the digestion of the spicy foods can also increase the core body temperature. Doctors have also found that caffeine consumption can make sweating worse in people who already have night sweats.  [source: eMedicine] .

Some people have a condition known as hyperhidrosis. This condition can be a cause of excessive sweating, both during the day and at night. Once you’ve ruled out all other possible causes of night sweats, you may be suffering from hyperhidrosis and should make an appointment with your doctor  [source: Mayo Clinic] .

Natural solutions when you sweat at night

The first and clearest solution here is to look at the thermostat. While most doctors recommend a temperature between 16 and 18 degrees Celsius, everyone is different and you need to experiment to find the right temperature for you. If you’re sleeping with a partner who prefers a warmer or colder temperature, try adding several light layers of bedding. [Source: WebMD]

Removing the possible causes of stress and anxiety is also a good idea. Nervousness and anxiety are often triggers of excessive sweating, both during the day and at night. So if you have a wedding or a job interview it is normal that you will sweat more than usual. But if night sweats persist for several weeks after this day, it is best to contact a doctor.

For men who suffer from night sweats associated with andropause (male menopause), drinking a tea made with black cohosh or taking black cohosh supplements may help. This is a plant found in many parts of North America and its medicinal properties are used to cure various ailments. Red clover is an herbal remedy that can relieve the worst of hot flashes and night sweats, but studies have shown that its effects are not as convincing as those of black cohosh. [source: Pray]

Finally

Both men and women have turned to herbal teas such as sage and heart strains to help reduce sweating. Sage tea is helpful for promoting relaxation and combating stress, while heart strain is more helpful against sweating itself. Both calm the nerves and improve circulation, both of which affect night sweats.