Sweating while sleeping: what to do if you sweat at night?

If you often wake up bathed in sweat & therefore don’t sleep at night, then you should definitely find out the causes. There can be serious consequences.

Everyone sweats in their sleep. Our body needs sweat to regulate its own temperature.

However, some people sweat excessively – it can even go so far that they regularly wake up in a completely soaked bed and have to change all of their bed linen.

Night sweats – profuse sweating while sleeping – are not only uncomfortable, but can also be an indication of deeper health problems.

If you have already experienced this situation, then you should definitely take a closer look.

The possible causes of heavy night sweats

Before we look at the reasons and available solutions, here’s a little hint: This guide is no substitute for a visit to the doctor.

If you sweat profusely on a regular basis, then you should definitely seek advice from a professional. Only he can make an unequivocal diagnosis.

In fact, in many cases it is next to impossible to find out the exact causes of night sweats.

These reasons can cause night sweats:

• Wrong bedding. Duvets that are too thick and unsuitable pillows can cause profuse sweating. In many cases impermeable materials (cheap polyester covers) also hinder breathability.
• Too high temperature. Especially in summer there is often high humidity and temperatures . If night sweats appear temporarily or suddenly, it is often due to the time of year or the environment.
• Cold. However, new night sweats can also be an indication of a cold or flu. In most cases, the body then returns to its original normal state.
• Symptom of a disease. Other diseases and infections can also promote night sweats. Some of them are: diabetes mellitus, tuberculosis, infectious diseases such as HIV or tumor diseases.
• Hormonal disorders. Often night sweats also occur more frequently with an overactive thyroid. Many women also suffer from increased night sweating during the menopause.
• Psychological reasons. Often there are also no measurable causes, what doctors call idiopathic night sweats Possibly psychological problems (worry, stress, tension) cause sweating.

Sweating in Your Sleep – You Can Do This

Since the reasons are so diverse, if in doubt, you should consult a doctor as early as possible.

In many cases night sweats are harmless, but more rarely they are also caused by serious illnesses (especially in combination with other symptoms such as weight loss).

In general, you can still try to improve your sleep hygiene in order to minimize the occurrence of night sweats.

Pay attention to your sleeping habits

Irregular bedtime, late eating or constant reading on your smartphone: all of these things can reduce the quality of our sleep and contribute to the development of sleep disorders .

• It is therefore always worthwhile – not only if you sweat profusely – to ensure that your sleep hygiene is as healthy as possible and to take your night’s rest seriously.
• A lack of sleep is a problem for both body and mind. You are not only susceptible to diseases, but also less efficient and resilient.

In short: poor sleep reduces your quality of life. So it’s best to take some time to learn more about how you can sleep better .

Arrange your bedroom appropriately

The furnishing of your bedroom also affects the quality of sleep.

Cheap bedding is often made of materials that do not leave any air to breathe. The body fights against it while sleeping and sweats more.

• You should therefore use materials that are as breathable as possible. A cover made of high-quality cotton helps regulate the temperature:
• It absorbs sweat and carries it outside. This cools the body and – ideally – it has to sweat less.

A matching pillow with a breathable core can also prevent night sweat. When buying, make sure that your head does not sink directly into the pillow.

Last but not least, the right temperature naturally also plays a role. Ventilate adequately and make sure that you do not sleep in sweaty conditions during the night.

Nutrition tips for night sweats

It helps to drink regularly throughout the day. However, large amounts of fluids right before bed can encourage night sweats.

The same applies to spicy dishes, coffee and alcohol. They can all lead to excessive perspiration and soaked sheets.

It is therefore best to plan some time without eating or drinking before going to bed.

Exercise enough

A trained body is not only healthier, but also regulates its own temperature better. This can prevent sudden sweats.

• However, weight is even more important: Obese people sweat more often and more heavily. The body has to support its own weight during sleep and thus perform significantly more throughout the night.
• This is exhausting and affects not only the quality of sleep, but also night sweat. A heavy weight can also promote sleep disorders such as sleep apnea (disturbed air intake at night).

Getting enough exercise is certainly not a panacea, but it can reduce the risk of night sweats and improve the quality of life in general.

Tip: A fascia roller loosens tension and improves your sleep quality.

Avoid stress before bed

If you regularly brood or worry about falling asleep, a very personal sleep routine will help.

A sleep ritual can be anything: meditation, relaxation exercises or a journal entry.

All of these measures help us to leave everyday life behind and forget the worries of the past day.

If you frequently wake up drenched in sweat after a nightmare, you may be able to use these strategies to combat the root causes.

Summary: Here’s what you can do for night sweats

Due to the many reasons for night sweats, it is difficult to provide general help.

Since serious illnesses can also cause soaked sheets, it is always worth visiting a doctor to clarify the exact causes.

Consistent sleep hygiene helps alleviate symptoms or prevent them from developing in the first place. Even if illnesses are the cause, it is always worth taking a look at your own sleeping habits.

If you want to find out more about how you can sleep more healthily, then read our section on Sleeping Better . There you will find numerous helpful tips with which you can get the most out of your night’s sleep.