Excessive Sweating at Night: Causes and Solutions

Everyone sweats during gut-wrenching moments like interviewing for a new job or speaking before a crowd. But if you experience excessive sweating at night, a deeper issue might be to blame.

Night sweats are incidents of excessive perspiration that happen while you sleep. Sweating while sleeping can drench your clothes and even your bedding, often requiring you to change your pajamas or sheets before morning. In a word, night sweats are miserable.

So what separates sweating in sleep from normal sweating, and what can you do about it? Today we’ll learn more about how to stop night sweats and wake feeling rested.

SWEATING WHILE SLEEPING? HERE’S WHY

How much you sweat depends on your DNA, medical conditions, stress and other factors. However, you might sweat more than others at night — regardless of temperature.

Here are a few reasons you might be sweating while sleeping.

1. HYPERHIDROSIS

It’s normal to experience night sweats when you’re sick or sleeping in hot weather, but some people sweat for no reason, at any time.

People with hyperhidrosis experience excessive sweating that’s unrelated to climate or other external circumstances. The underarms, forehead, hands and feet are the areas most commonly affected.

However, people with secondary hyperhidrosis (or diaphoresis) sweat due to an underlying condition. A telltale sign of secondary hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating all over, not just one specific area. You’re more likely to sweat while sleeping if you have secondary hyperhidrosis.

2. MEDICAL CONDITIONS

If you’ve recently been diagnosed with one of the following conditions, excessive sweating at night might be a side effect. The most effective way to stop medically-induced night sweats is to treat the underlying illness.

• Menopause and pregnancy
• Infections
• Cancer
• Hyperthyroidism
• Hormone disorders
• Neurologic conditions
• Alcoholism

If addressing the illness or condition doesn’t eliminate your night sweats, consult your doctor about other possible solutions. Dermira and TheraVida manufacture treatments for secondary hyperhidrosis, though the long-term effects are still unknown.

3. MEDICATIONS

If you constantly sweat at night, it could be a side effect of a prescription drug. Common drugs attributed to secondary hyperhidrosis include:

• Antidepressants
• Pain medications, aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Blood pressure medications
• Cancer treatments
• Oral diabetes drugs and insulin
• Antibiotics
• Hormone treatments
• Dietary supplements like zinc and iron.

If you suspect one of these medications is causing your night sweats, consult your doctor. Forgoing certain medications you rely upon could pose more significant health risks than sweating at night. It’s always wise to talk to your doctor before making any health-related decisions.

HOW TO STOP NIGHT SWEATS

Treating medical conditions can take time. But there are other lifestyle changes you can make today to stop sweating at night, including wearing cooling clothing or using sweat-wicking sleep products.

Ensuring you have a comfortable sleeping environment goes a long way in minimizing sweating in sleep. Try these bedtime tips to manage excessive sweating at night.

1. WEAR COOLING CLOTHING TO BED

For Her: Cool-jams™ Moisture Wicking Gathered Tank Nightgown is perfect for anyone who suffers from hot flashes or night sweats while sleeping. Its proprietary material wicks moisture away, preventing bacteria and odor growth that can form during the night.

For Him: Thompson Tees Original Fit Crewneck combines the best features of a luxury undershirt with patented sweat proof technology that stops night sweat in its tracks.

While Thompson Tees Sweat Proof Undershirts serve a technical purpose and are designed for daytime wear, you can also wear them as sleep shirts. Consider keeping your nighttime Thompson Tee separate from your daytime undershirts to reduce wear and tear and extend the overall quality and lifespan.

2. AVOID HEAVY BEDDING

Slumber Cloud’s Stratus Sheet Set features NASA-engineered Outlast® fibers to provide cooler, deeper sleep. Their sheets adapt to body temperature fluctuations to maximize sleeping comfort.

The Buffy Breeze Comforter helps you stay cool with temperature-regulating, 100% eucalyptus fiber. The super-soft eucalyptus shell doesn’t trap heat, keeping you comfortable without overheating. Eucalyptus fiber is naturally breathable and cool to the touch.

3. TRY COOLING PILLOWS

Can 8000+ Amazon reviewers be wrong? Coop Home Goods’ Eden Pillow contains gel-infused memory foam and microfiber fill blend for cooler, more comfortable sleep. The pillowcase is made with a proprietary fabric that provides softness and breathability.

4. COOL YOUR BED

Do you share a bed with someone who is always hot or cold? The BedJet 3 Climate Comfort System provides instant comfort, offering cooling and humidity control. Get immediate relief from hot flashes, night sweats and memory foam mattresses and wake up refreshed.

5. KEEP THE ROOM COOL

For optimal sleep, keep your bedroom temperature between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit. While room temperature doesn’t cause sweating in sleep, it may make you feel worse. Lowering your thermostat keeps heat from building up around you during the night.

6. AVOID SWEAT-INDUCING FOODS BEFORE BED

Alcohol and caffeinated beverages increase your heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature, triggering a sweat response.

Hot and spicy foods stimulate nerve receptors in your mouth, tricking your body into thinking it’s hot. The not-so-surprising result? Sweat.

Avoiding sweat-inducing foods, especially in the evening, may reduce excessive sweating at night. Conversely, try adding sweat reducing foods into your diet.

7. REDUCE STRESS

Stress and a lack of exercise are other contributors to night sweats. Take proactive steps to reduce stress and work regular exercise into your routine to reduce excessive sweating at night.

STAY COMFORTABLE WITH A THOMPSON TEE

Severe night sweats can jolt you up mid-sleep and ruin your night. But if you have an underlying condition that causes night sweating, night sweats might be a fact of life.

Thompson Tee’s patented sweat proof technology has helped thousands of men and women manage excessive underarm sweating. The shirts completely absorb underarm sweat so it won't bleed through to your sheets and leave you feeling drenched.

Try Thompson Tee risk-free today.

*PLEASE NOTE: As with any medically-related issues, it’s best to seek advice from a qualified medical practitioner. The information provided is not to be used or relied on for diagnostic purposes and should not be considered a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment.