Night Sweats: Why You Sweat During Sleep and What It Means

You wake up and your sheets and sleepwear are soaked. Yet the room is cool. This is night sweats, not just a hot bedroom.

What night sweats are and how they differ from a hot bedroom

Sweating at night is normal if you're hot because of the room or the blanket. That's how the body cools down. Night sweats are when you're soaked through even though the bedroom is cool. Night sweats occur in both adults and children.

Why people sweat at night: the main causes

The most common causes are menopause symptoms, anxiety, and taking certain medications. The list also includes antidepressants, steroids, and painkillers. Night sweating can occur with low blood sugar, after alcohol or drugs. Another cause is harmless hyperhidrosis, when a person sweats excessively all the time.

Sometimes the cause of night sweating cannot be found. Sweating is regulated by the autonomic nervous system, which is not under our control. A person has between 2 and 4 million sweat glands, and in men they are more active. Sweat glands become fully functional during puberty. Sweating may increase with fever and infection. Hyperhidrosis can be generalized or localized.

• Menopause symptoms and hot flashes
• Anxiety and stressful situations
• Medications: antidepressants, steroids, painkillers
• Low blood sugar
• Alcohol or drugs

Night sweats in women: hormonal changes and other factors

In women, night sweats are often linked to menopause. Hot flashes wake them at night, and the bed becomes wet. Menopause is one of the common causes of night sweats. Anxiety and medications also contribute.

Which symptoms alongside night sweating are concerning

Pay attention to combinations of signs. Night sweats together with a very high temperature, cough, or diarrhea require a conversation with a doctor. Unexplained weight loss alongside night sweating is also a reason to get checked. Chest pain, rapid heartbeat, and shortness of breath together with sweating suggest a possible thyroid problem or infection.

How a doctor determines the cause of night sweats

The doctor asks about symptoms and examines you. They will check which medications you are taking. If the sweating is related to a medication, the doctor may suggest another one. Sweat gland activity is examined using dynamic infrared thermography. The diagnosis is made based on complaints and examination findings.

When heavy sweating at night requires a doctor's visit

See a doctor if night sweats regularly wake you or bother you. A reason for a visit is sweating with a high temperature, cough, or diarrhea. Also if you are losing weight without a reason. If you sweat at night or frequently sweat during sleep, this should be discussed with a specialist.

Night sweats alone are not a reason to call an ambulance. Call 103 or 112 if, along with sweating, there is pain or pressure in the chest or shortness of breath.

This material is for reference. It does not replace a consultation with a doctor who will assess your specific situation.

This content is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Medical disclaimer