Excessive Sweating While Sleeping
Sweating during sleeping. It is a problem that can be a literal (and figurative) nightmare for millions of people and it very much a reality. Excessive sweating while sleeping can drench your clothes, ruin your sheets, and disrupt your sleep and the sleep of anyone else in the bed. It can be extremely annoying, disturbing, and frustrating for anyone who experiences this, but there are things you can do about it.
If you find yourself dealing with this problem, don’t sweat it! The experts at The Center for Hyperhidrosis are here to help!
Why Do I Sweat In My Sleep?
People can sweat in their sleep for a number of different reasons. Maybe your room is too hot. Maybe there are too many blankets. Maybe your pajamas are just too warm for comfortable sleeping. These elements can each play a factor in sweating during sleeping- but that is not what we are here to address. While occasionally sweating during your sleep is annoying, it is excessive nighttime sweating that is the real problem that should be addressed.
Excessive nighttime sweating can be a result of a condition known as hyperhidrosis. You can learn more about hyperhidrosis here. This particular effect of hyperhidrosis is known as night sweats, and they are a lot more common than you think.
What are Night Sweats?
Night sweats are any significant perspiration that occurs during sleep. True night sweats typically occur in repeated episodes and include pretty extreme levels of perspiration. With night sweats, it doesn’t matter what age, gender, or physical condition you are in. The truth of the matter is that night sweats can happen to anyone- but you can do something about it.
Reasons for Night Sweats
As mentioned above, there can be many different reasons for sweating during sleep. Night sweats, on the other hand, are a much more severe version of sweating while sleeping and can have a number of causes. Menopause is known to cause night sweats. Night sweats can also occur due to an underlying illness or as a side effect to a medication. More severe causes like infection, low blood sugar, hormone disorders, and even certain cancers can also be associated with night sweats.
While these causes are very significant and should be ruled out, more often than not the reason for excessive night sweats is hyperhidrosis. With hyperhidrosis, the body chronically produces too much sweat and is often the source of continual unwanted night sweats.
When to be Concerned About Night Sweats
It is important to be aware of the line between occasionally sweating at night and excessive night sweats. If your night sweats are coupled with other symptoms such as fever, weakness, fatigue, cough, or any other significant outlying symptom, it is important to consult with your doctor immediately to rule out any serious causes. Additionally, if you are experiencing continual episodes of intense night sweats, it is important to recognize and identify this as a potential issue. In these cases, you likely suffer from hyperhidrosis. At the end of the day, you know your body best and what your personal norm or regular state is. If your night sweats are frequent, consistent, heavy, interrupt your sleep, or are bothersome to you in any way, there are many options available to help you combat this disturbance.
How to Stop Night Sweats
There are many different methods you can implement when searching for how to stop night sweats. Of course, there are smaller, simpler options such as the ones listed below:
- Lower the temperature of the room. This can be done by turning down the air temperature at night, opening a window, or utilizing fans to help you and the room stay cool.
- Pajamas made for sweating. There are many different products available that can assist with dealing with conditions like hyperhidrosis. Many different pajama factors can help with sweating including moisture-wicking abilities, lighter fabrics, and more breathable materials to name a few.
- Optimize your sheets. Similar to the pajama recommendation above, some sheets are better equipped to handle and combat heat and sweating. It is also important to be aware of how heavy, thick, or breathable the different layers of sheets that you are using are.
- Cooldown before bed. Certain night sweats can be tied to overheating before bed. If you shower before you go to sleep, give yourself time to cool off afterward. Additionally, avoid hot or spicy foods before bed or any other natural sweat triggers (smoking, caffeine, etc.).
These are just a few ways that you can combat night sweats. For more severe conditions, like hyperhidrosis related night sweats, more extensive and effective treatments will prove to be far more significant and beneficial. The Center for Hyperhidrosis specializes in the treatment and continued management of excessive sweating. There are several different treatment options that can make a significant difference in your night sweat patterns and help you to reduce and manage your night sweats.
For more information, learn more about our treatment options or contact us today for more details on how we can help you get a better night’s sleep!
