What Causes Night Sweats & Can They Be Stopped?

What does it mean when you wake up sweating? There’s many reasons why you may experience night sweats, from illness and infection to stress and anxiety. In the summer, it could simply be too warm, or in the winter you may have bundled up a little too much. Still, don’t fret – night sweats are unlikely to be a symptom of something serious.

Here, we quiz Caleb Backe, a health expert for Maple Holistics on night sweats and who they affect, all while giving you some extra details on the causes, and some tips for handling this sticky situation.

If you haven’t experienced night sweats before, you probably can’t imagine the feeling of waking up from a deep sleep feeling like you’ve just stepped out of a swimming pool. Backe says “if you slept with a few extra blankets, or your room thermostat was raised a bit too high, it may lead to you waking up drenched in sweat, but this is usually not a sign of concern.”

However, if you are waking up with night sweats on a regular basis, there could be more of a medical reason behind it. Caleb says:

“it’s likely that these night sweats are associated with an underlying medical condition or illness. The most common reason for experiencing night sweats comes from certain medications, including antidepressants, diabetes medications, and hormone-blocking drugs. In addition, certain diseases and conditions can lead to night sweats, such as anxiety disorders, drug addictions, and thyroid disease. Usually, night sweats come together with fever, weight loss, pain, cough, diarrhoea, or other symptoms.”

While not exhaustive, here’s a few of the causes associated with night sweats:

While it can be relaxing and enjoyable to have a few pints, a glass of wine, or a cocktail in the evening, drinking can lead to an elevated body temperature. This, in turn, can lead to you sweating excessively and waking up drenched. If this is commonplace, try swapping out to a mocktail or the like instead.

If you live with anxiety, or are going through a period of high stress in your life, chances are you struggle with getting to sleep in the first place. This kind of stress can cause your body to heat up. To combat this, take time for yourself and learn how to calm feelings of stress and anxiety – and, of course, speak to your doctor if this is a long-term issue.

If you only experience this on a seasonal basis, for example only in the winter, it could also be linked to SAD (seasonal affective disorder). Many studies have shown that SAD and medical disorders appear to be linked, which can lead to people experiencing night sweats in colder weather.

SAD is something that is difficult to live with, but it can be managed with the right tips and know-how. Those with an underlying anxiety disorder can be more heavily impacted by this, and in turn experience heavier night sweats and other problems getting to sleep at night.

Especially true in the summer months, but a potential issue all year around – a warm bedroom can be wonderful, but make it a bit too hot and the body overheats. The easy way to work with this is to ensure you have a mattress that allows airflow through it, to dress in light clothing with moisture-wicking materials, and to help improve airflow with a fan. There are many other tips to help you cool down at night to give a try as well, so play around to see what works for you.

Some medications make it trickier for your body to control just how warm it is. These include, but are not limited to:

• Antidepressants
• Antiretrovirals
• Hormone therapy drugs
• Hypertension drugs
• Hypoglycaemia medications

This is an experience that many people go through, including @halleisreallyhot from TikTok:

@halleisreallyhot

Gonna keep on sweating it out baby!! What are your favorite side effects of that sweet sweet ssri magic? #ssri #antidepressants #depressionanxiety #depression #lmaoo #nightsweats

♬ original sound – Halle Payne

If you’ve ever felt too hot during the day, no matter how much water you drink or shade you sit in, it may be good to review your medication and speak with your doctor about if they’re the best choice for you. There may be an alternative for you to take that has less of this effect.

As previously mentioned, night sweats aren’t always due to a hot bedroom or an evening drink. They can also be a symptom of various medical conditions, such as:

• Autoimmune disorders
• Cancers
• Heart disease
• HIV/AIDS
• Hyperthyroidism (also known as an overactive thyroid)
• Obesity
• Prostate cancer
• Serious infections, such as endocarditis and tuberculosis
• Sleep disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea

If you are at risk of any of these, or have concerns about long-term night sweats, speak with your GP. They’ll help find what’s causing the issue, and get a plan of action to tackle it into place.

Both adults and children can experience night sweats. However, the reasons for experiencing sweats during the night may differ with age as well as gender.

Night sweats in children

“Children may be sweating due to a night terror. Night terrors are sleep disturbances that are more intense than a nightmare and can cause sweating, rapid breathing, screaming, and sitting upright suddenly.

Children who are stressed, overtired, on a new medication, or have had too much caffeine are likely to get night terrors. Although there is no cure for night terrors, you can try preventing them, by lowering your child’s stress levels, ensuring they have enough sleep, and implementing a steady bedtime routine.”

-Caleb Backe – Health Expert from Maple Holistics

Night sweats in women

Night sweats are normal for women who are experiencing menopause. The hot flushes that are a symptom of menopause can sometimes occur at night resulting in excessive sweating. If you’re not going through menopause, night sweats are most likely simply overheating, or experiencing a hormonal hot flush from other factors.

Some of these are broken down by @the_hormonequeen in this TikTok:

@the_hormonequeen

Almost always low estrogen, but can also be cortisol or insulin! Check out video for some options to resolve! #nightsweats #hormones #hormoneimbalance #femalehealth #healthtips #menopause #menopausesymptoms

♬ original sound – the_hormonequeen

Night sweats in men

What causes night sweats in men? It is thought that men with low testosterone are more likely to experience night sweats. Naturally, as men get older, their bodies produce less testosterone and so profusely sweating in sleep is more likely to happen to males who are of an older age.

As with women, there are many different reasons that they can experience this from any age, as @houstonmethodist breaks down here:

@houstonmethodist

#fyp #foryou #health #healthcare #healthandwellness #wellness #menshealth #night #nighttime #sleep #sleeping #nightsweats #nightsweat #menshealthtips #menshealthwareness #menshealthmatters

♬ original sound – Houston Methodist

No matter your biological sex, however, it’s good to speak to an expert about these symptoms if they’re longstanding.

3. Don’t sleep with your heating on – Keeping the heating off or at a lower setting helps maintain a cooler room temperature, which can prevent overheating during sleep. A cooler environment is generally more conducive to restful sleep.

4. Try opening a window at night – Allowing fresh air to circulate can help regulate the room temperature. Even a small crack can make a big difference in reducing stuffiness and promoting a cooler sleeping environment.

5. Use a fan in your bedroom – A fan can provide a steady flow of air, helping to evaporate sweat and cool your skin. It also creates white noise, which can be soothing and help you fall asleep faster.

6. Sleep under a lighter duvet – Switching to a lighter duvet or using a blanket instead of a heavy comforter can prevent overheating. Look for duvets with lightweight materials like down alternatives or breathable fabrics like cotton.

7. Turn your pillow often – Flipping your pillow periodically can help keep your head cool. You can also consider using a cooling pillow designed to dissipate heat and maintain a lower temperature.

8. Establish a calming night-time routine to reduce stress and anxiety – Engage in relaxing activities before bed, such as reading, meditating, or taking a warm bath. Reducing stress and anxiety can improve sleep quality and help your body manage temperature better.

9. If you sleep with a partner, try sleeping in a separate bed to see if it makes a difference – Sharing a bed can increase body heat and disrupt sleep. Trying separate beds or even just separate blankets might help you stay cooler and sleep more soundly.

10. Maintain a healthy weight and exercise often – Regular physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight can help regulate body temperature and improve overall sleep quality. Exercise also reduces stress and anxiety, which can contribute to better sleep.

Sweating in sleep is normal for most people. However, if you have reoccurring experiences of night sweats, it is best to seek medical advice from your local GP to determine the cause.