9 Reasons Why You Wake Up Sweaty!

Anyone who suffers from night sweats knows how unpleasant it is to wake up drenched in sweat in the middle of the night. This is because of a physical condition, not because it's summer and the nights are hot and humid.

Sweating at night disrupts your sleep, which also affects how you feel during the day. Therefore, it's a good idea to investigate the underlying cause of your night sweats. From there, you can determine the best solution.

Sweating is a normal process in which the body tries to get rid of excess heat. We also sweat in bed. But if you wake up during the night and notice that your pajamas and sheets are damp or even wet, you're experiencing night sweats.

Night sweats are different from normal sweating. They're not just situations where you get too hot due to high summer temperatures or because your duvet is too thick. Waking up sweaty is caused by excessive sweating, also called hyperhidrosis.

Below you will find 9 reasons for night sweats and some tips that can alleviate the symptoms.

One of the most common causes of waking up sweaty at night is menopause. During menopause, a woman's hormone levels change, and these fluctuations can cause hot flashes [1] .

These hot flashes can also occur at night . Your skin turns red and you sweat profusely. A hot flash usually doesn't last very long, but if it occurs at night, you may wake up.

There are certain triggers that can cause hot flashes. For example, it's recommended not to smoke, avoid spicy foods, and avoid alcohol and caffeine. It's also wise to avoid wearing tight clothing at night and to make sure your duvet or blanket isn't too warm.

For severe symptoms, it's best to visit your GP. They can offer advice and, if necessary, prescribe medication.

Night sweats in men can also occur and can be caused by hot flashes. A testosterone deficiency may be an underlying cause.

If you're taking medication and experience night sweats, it might be helpful to check the package insert for side effects. Certain medications, such as antidepressants and medications for cancer, leukemia, and diabetes, can cause night sweats.

If you suspect that medication you're taking is causing you to wake up sweating at night, it's a good idea to consult your doctor. They may be able to prescribe an alternative. Don't stop taking your medication on your own, as this can have negative consequences.

An overactive thyroid can also be one of the reasons you experience night sweats. This gland, located in your neck, regulates how your body uses energy. If you have an overactive thyroid, it produces too much thyroid hormone (thyroxine).

This can disrupt various processes in your body. Besides sweating at night, you may also experience sudden weight loss, heart palpitations and an increased appetite [2] .

Tests are needed to determine if you have an overactive thyroid. A blood test can be performed to determine if your thyroxine levels are too high. If so, medications can be prescribed to inhibit the hormone's production.

As mentioned, sweating is a normal process that serves to eliminate excess heat. Hyperhidrosis means you sweat excessively, even when there are no triggers, such as physical exertion or high ambient temperatures.

With primary hyperhidrosis, doctors cannot find an underlying cause. With secondary hyperhidrosis, there is a cause, which could be a health problem or medication you're taking. With the first type, you sweat only during the day, but with the second, you also sweat at night.

If you regularly wake up sweating, you may have hyperhidrosis. If you have no idea what's causing your symptoms, it's wise to see your doctor. They can perform a sweat test, and you may be referred to a specialist.

When you have an anxiety disorder, it affects not only your mental well-being, but also your physical well-being. The associated stress can cause excessive sweating, even at night.

It doesn't matter whether it's generalized anxiety disorder, performance anxiety, social anxiety, or another form of anxiety. If you suffer from night sweats, it's a sign that you're not managing your anxiety well.

If you regularly wake up due to panic attacks or feelings of stress, this can cause additional fatigue, making it even harder to manage your anxiety. So it's important to do something about this.

If you'd like to work on this yourself, it's a good idea to ensure you have some rest and relaxation before bed. Meditation or mindfulness exercises can be helpful. Yoga is also a good way to reduce stress.

If this doesn't help enough, it's best to seek help from a psychologist. There are various therapies to choose from. This can provide a lot of support.

Sleep apnea occurs when you temporarily pause your breathing while you sleep. Muscle relaxation causes your throat to close, blocking your breathing. Besides causing you to snore loudly, it can also cause night sweats [3] .

Do you notice that, in addition to night sweats, you're also very tired during the day? Then it might be a good idea to find out if you might have sleep apnea. Treating this condition is important, as it can negatively impact your health.

In that case, make an appointment with your GP. Sleep apnea can be treated in various ways. This can range from something as simple as no longer sleeping on your back to a CPAP machine that maintains positive air pressure in your airways.

If you have the flu or another infection, you're likely to develop a fever and experience night sweats. This is a beneficial response from the body.

Normally, your body temperature is around 37 degrees Celsius. An infection triggers your immune system, and your temperature can rise to 38 degrees Celsius or higher. This allows your body to produce more antibodies.

The higher body temperature can make you sweat. A fever isn't pleasant, but it's harmless and generally only temporary. As you recover, the fever will go away.

Contact your GP if you feel short of breath, drowsy, drink too little, or if the fever is 40 degrees Celsius or higher and lasts longer than 3 days.

Any condition that causes a fever, such as viral infections, can cause night sweats. Autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, can also cause this.

When you have rheumatism, your own immune system attacks the mucous membranes and tissues of your joints. Swollen, red, and stiff joints are a common symptom of this disease.

But the underlying cause of rheumatism is chronic inflammation, and fever can also occur with it. Waking up sweaty at night can therefore certainly be caused by rheumatism.

There is no cure for this condition, but treatments are available to alleviate symptoms, including night sweats. Physical therapy can help keep your joints flexible.

Your doctor can also prescribe medication to reduce pain and inflammation. This can also help reduce night sweats.

Another reason for excessive sweating during sleep is low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia. If you have diabetes and use insulin or sulfonylureas, you're more likely to experience hypoglycemia during the night [4] .

Besides heavy sweating, you may also experience palpitations, restlessness, and a sudden hunger pang. Low blood sugar doesn't always wake you up.

Do you wake up in the morning with a headache, feeling faint, or high blood sugar? Then there's a good chance you experienced hypoglycemia during your sleep.

Low blood sugar can be dangerous. Night sweats can be a sign of hypoglycemia. Therefore, it's important to monitor your blood sugar levels or have them tested if you suspect you have diabetes.