Waking up in a clammy bed is frustrating. Night sweats during sleep are often not immediately serious, but they do disrupt your rest. The cause is often heat, stress, hormones, alcohol, medication or a sleep disorder. Here's what you need to know and what you can do yourself.
When is it actually night sweats?
Night sweats are more than just feeling a bit too warm. You sweat so noticeably in your sleep that you wake up feeling clammy, with wet clothes or damp bed linen. As a result, you sleep more lightly, wake up more often and get up feeling less rested. If you only feel hot after a muggy night or under a thick duvet, then heat is usually the obvious explanation.
Possible causes of heavy sweating during sleep
There isn't one single cause of sweating a lot during sleep. Often, several things play a role at the same time.
Heat, stress and lifestyle
A warm bedroom, poor ventilation, a heavy duvet or materials that hold a lot of heat can trigger excessive sweating during sleep. Alcohol, spicy food, late exercise, stress, anxiety and restless dreams can also keep your body more active at night.
Hormones, medication and physical symptoms
Sudden sweating at night also happens with menopause, fever or an infection, an overactive thyroid, fluctuations in blood sugar and sleep disorders such as sleep apnoea. Night-time sweating can also be a side effect of some medicines, such as certain antidepressants or painkillers. If you have extreme sweating during sleep for no clear reason or it keeps coming back, it's wise to look into it further. Are hot flushes your main problem? Then take a look at bedding for menopause.
What you can do yourself about sweating during sleep
Start with your sleep environment and evening routine. That's often where you'll notice the quickest difference.
- Keep your bedroom cool and well ventilated. For many people, 17-19°C feels comfortable.
- Choose light sleepwear and bedding with temperature-regulating properties.
- It's better to sleep under layers than under one heavy duvet.
- Cut down on alcohol, caffeine and very spicy food late in the evening.
- Wind down calmly in the evening with regular bedtimes and fewer stimuli.
If you can't see a clear cause, keep track for one to two weeks of when you sweat during sleep. That way, you'll spot a pattern in food, stress, your cycle, medication or room temperature more quickly.
Which bedding feels more comfortable if you sweat a lot at night?
If you often wake up clammy, it helps to pay attention to breathability, moisture regulation and the weight of your bedding. Supple materials such as TENCEL™ sateen feel smooth and fresh to many people. Cotton is often comfortable if you're looking for an airy, natural sleep feel. Summer bedding that feels soft and not stuffy can also be nicer than heavy layers that trap heat. Don't expect a miracle cure, but you can expect more comfort and a calmer feeling in bed. Also take a look at Tencel Sateen bedding if you're looking for breathable, moisture-regulating bedding.
Not sure whether to choose Tencel, cotton or microfibre? Then compare how warm or cool they feel, how easy they are to wash and how comfortable they feel on your skin. Want to know the specific difference? Read Tencel vs microfibre. That's exactly the kind of difference you'll feel every night.
When it's better to call your GP
Night sweats are often harmless, but ongoing or severe symptoms deserve attention. Contact your GP if night sweats continue for several weeks or if you often wake up drenched, especially with these signs:
- fever or recurring infections
- unexplained weight loss
- swollen glands
- new or changed medication
- heavy snoring or pauses in breathing at night
A doctor can help look into the possible cause. This information points you in the right direction, but it does not replace personal medical advice.
Frequently asked questions about night sweats during sleep
What can night sweats be a symptom of?
Night sweats can go with something harmless, such as a warm room or stress, but also with hormone fluctuations, infections, medication use, thyroid problems or sleep apnoea. So don't just look at the sweating itself, but also at any other symptoms around it.
What causes sudden sweating at night?
Sudden night sweats are often caused by fever, hormone fluctuations, alcohol, stress or a sleep environment that's too warm. A new medicine can also play a role.
Does different bedding help with heavy sweating during sleep?
Different bedding won't solve every cause, but it can make your sleep environment more comfortable. It's better to choose light, breathable and comfortable bedding than heavy materials that hold onto heat.
What should you do if nothing seems to help?
Do you keep sweating a lot during sleep despite a cool room, breathable bedding and a calm evening routine? Then ask your GP to help you look into it, especially if you also wake up tired, snore, have a fever or lose weight for no clear reason.
