There are certain times when you expect to break a sweat: in the middle of a heat wave, during a spin class, or even before a work presentation. But if you've ever woken up drenched in the middle of the night, you might be wondering what's going on.
Sweating itself is completely normal, it's your body's way of regulating temperature. If you wake up sweaty in the middle of the night under a thick blanket or in a room that's too hot, that's normal. That's due to overheating, and when you eliminate the culprit, your body temperature and your nightly awakenings should return to normal.
But if you wake up wrapped in soggy sheets and your thermostat is set to a cool 18 degrees, there may be other underlying health issues causing that night sweat.
Why do you have night sweats?
You are going through menopause
The years leading up to menopause, known as perimenopause , are the prime time for hot flashes – nearly 80 percent of women report experiencing them as they go through this stage of life.
This is due to significant fluctuations in the production of the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. These fluctuations occur several times a day, even at night, when they cause night sweats.
If your hot flashes are mild, you can try lifestyle changes, such as keeping the thermostat on low, using lighter bedding, and sleeping in light, loose-fitting clothing. You should also avoid caffeine and alcohol , especially at night, as they can cause spikes in body temperature and lead to sweating.
Regular exercise can help, too: A February 2017 study on menopause found that sedentary people who completed a 20-week exercise program reported reductions in hot flashes, including night sweats.
It is a side effect of your medications
Certain medications are known to be associated with night sweats. They disrupt neurotransmitters in the brain, causing you to overproduce the hormone serotonin , which in turn throws your body temperature out of balance.
The biggest offenders are a class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), certain medications for blood pressure and diabetes, and over-the-counter medications such as omeprazole for heartburn or the pain reliever naproxen .
Talk to your doctor because you may be able to switch to another type of medicine that doesn't cause the same reaction. You should also avoid caffeine and alcohol, as they can exacerbate the problem.
You have a hormonal problem
Hyperthyroidism can overstimulate the nervous system, which means that not only do you have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep, but you can wake up in the middle of the night sweating like a storm.
If you have undiagnosed diabetes , that can also wreak havoc on your blood sugar levels and make you sweat more easily, even at night.
Although there are other conditions caused by adrenal tumors, such as pheochromocytoma and carcinoid syndrome , that can cause night sweats, these conditions are relatively rare.
Ask your doctor, especially if you have other symptoms of hyperthyroidism, such as heart palpitations, mood swings, hyperactivity, and weight loss, or type 2 diabetes, such as increased thirst, hunger, and urination.
It is a side effect of sleep apnea
Night sweats occur about three times more often in people with untreated sleep apnea, a condition in which tissue in your throat blocks your airways, causing you to stop breathing several times during the night.
This is because each episode of apnea causes your body to release the stress hormone cortisol , which activates the nervous system.
Pay attention to other symptoms of sleep apnea, including snoring, morning headaches, and feelings of excessive fatigue during the day. If you have them, see a doctor for a referral to a specialist.
Sleep apnea is diagnosed through a nighttime sleep study, in which it is connected to equipment that monitors your breathing patterns and blood oxygen levels while you sleep.
You have an infection
Life-threatening infections such as tuberculosis , human immunodeficiency virus ( HIV ), endocarditis (an infection of the heart valve), and osteomyelitis (a bone infection) are associated with night sweats, most likely because they can trigger fever .