You sweat when you sleep primarily because your body is trying to regulate its temperature. Sweating at night, known as night sweats, can happen for several reasons:
- Sleeping environment: Being too warm, such as having heavy bedding, warm pajamas, or a room temperature that's too high, can cause sweating to cool down the body.
- Infections and fever: When you have an infection with fever, your body's temperature rises to fight it, leading to night sweats.
- Hormonal changes: Fluctuations in hormones during menopause, pregnancy, or other hormone-related conditions can cause excessive sweating at night.
- Medical conditions: Disorders like hyperthyroidism, diabetes (especially with low blood sugar), and other illnesses can trigger night sweats.
- Medications: Some medications can cause sweating as a side effect.
- Stress and anxiety: Mental health conditions or stress can increase sweating at night.
- Sleep disorders: Conditions such as sleep apnea can be associated with night sweats.
If you frequently wake up soaked in sweat or this sweating disrupts your sleep or daily life, it is advisable to consult a healthcare provider to rule out underlying health issues. Otherwise, managing room temperature, wearing loose breathable clothing, and reducing stress can help reduce night sweating.
