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There are many unanswered questions in life, but Why do I sweat in my sleep?
Design by Channing Smith
shouldnt be one of them.
There are a lot of factors that could be at play here, according to experts.
You may have sleep hyperhidrosisexcessive night sweating, in medical terms.
Youll never have to ask yourself Why do I sweat in my sleep?
Is it healthy to sweat while sleeping?
If your night sweats are infrequent, dont sweat it.
(Pun intended.)
Its normal to occasionally sweat while sleeping, says Shelby Harris, PsyD, director of sleep health atSleepopolis.
When should I be worried about night sweats?
If so, she advises talking to your doctor or a sleep specialist.
Can dehydration cause night sweats?
Sweating is a completely natural function of your body, says Dr. Harris.
Your body constantly works to check that your core temperature doesnt exceed approximately 98 Fahrenheit.
If youre dehydrated before you go to bed, youll most likely sweat less but you will feel overheated.
However, if youre well-hydrated, you will likely sweat more as your body tries to cool down.
Bedding and sleepwear are the most common reasons people sweat in their sleep, says Dr. Harris.
However, there are other things that can lead to you waking up drenched in sweat.
Dr. Harris says perimenopause and menopause are huge causes of night sweats for women.
Stress and anxiety are also common causes of excessive sweating at night.
Nightmares, night terrors, and sleep apnea can activate the bodys stress response as well.
Heres some of the most common night sweat causesand what to do about them.
Its your pajamas.
The first thing to do is check your pjs, says Breus.
Are they made of polyester, a fabric that can contain body heat?
They can trap extra body heat and are one of the most common causes of night sweats.
(Or if youre up for it, trysleeping in the nude.)
Breus recommendsCool-jams moisture-wicking pajamas.
Other companies have also createdsleepwear for night sweats.
Your room is too warm.
This may be stating the obvious, but your bedroom should feel comfortably cool.
The optimal bedroom temperature is around 65 Fahrenheit, Dr. Raymann advises.
What to do about it:The solution here is straightforward: Lower the temperature in your room.
About 30 minutes before you go to bed, crank the thermometer down to 65.
If thats still not enough, add some air flow.
Your bedding or mattress arent a fit.
Its very likely you and your partner have different sleep needs, Dr. Raymann says.
You hit the gym too close to bedtime.
Regular exercise is great for sleep but not if you do it too close to bedtime.
During exercise, your body warms up, Dr. Raymann says.
For sleep, your body needs to get rid of that extra heat.
You had a late-night meal.
What to do about it:Dont eat a full meal so close to bedtime.
This will also help ensure an upset stomach or indigestion isnt keeping you up at night.
Youre under a ton of stress.
Soothingsleep musicmay also help.
Your medication is causing side effects.
Aside from lifestyle choices, some medications can cause night sweats, Dr. Raymann says.
Common culprits are steroids, some antidepressants, aspirin, and hormone therapy medication.
You have an infection.
What causes night sweats?
Having an illness, Dr. Raymann says.
If youre sick, that could cause you to wake up early feeling cold and clammy.
A sign of infection is fever, he explains.
The body will still venture to maintain a healthy temperature, and hence sweating will occur.
What to do about it:Again, talk to your doctor on this one.
It could just be a run-of-the-mill cold, or it could be something more serious.
Especially since the outbreak of COVID-19, if you have a fever, you should get screened.
Youre going through perimenopause, menopause, or have a hormone imbalance.
Disruptions to your hormone system, both experts say, will affect your internal body temperature.
Menopause can cause both hot flashes and night sweats.
But with medical issues, remember its always important to talk to your doctor.
You have sleep apnea.
What to do about it:How to stop sweating in sleep mode?
Go to your doctor on this one.
Obstructive sleep apnea can be serious.
You have a heart problem.
Its often accompanied by other symptoms such as chest pain or a rapid heart rate.
People who suffer from chest pain may experience cold sweats, which can happen when awake or sleeping.
Are you also experiencing cold sweats during the day?
If so, talk to your doctor immediately.
If not, its likely another factor at play.
What vitamins help night sweats?
Theres not enough research to suggest that vitamins can help with night sweats, according to Dr. Harris.
How can I stop sweating in my sleep?
To best know how to stop your night sweats, find out whats causing them.
However, Dr. Harris suggests starting with a cooler sleeping environment.
In addition to adjusting the thermostat, consider a quality cooling mattress or mattress topper.
Look for pajamas in natural fabrics like cotton or linen or fabrics that are temperature regulating.
Plant-derived viscoses like bamboo, Tencel, and modal are all great options for temperature regulation.
Lastly, Dr. Harris suggests trying to wind down at least 30 to 60 minutes before bed.
Anna Moeslein is the deputy editor atGlamour.
