8 Essential Facts About Excessive Sweating at Night

It is possible to suffer from excessive sweating only at night and not during the day

Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis in medical terms) is characterized by excessive and bothersome perspiration, surpassing the average.

Although it is often associated with physical activities or stressful situations, excessive sweating can also occur at night without any obvious stimulus. This is referred to as nocturnal hyperhidrosis.

Here are the physiological mechanisms that come into play at night regarding sweating:

1. During the night, our body undergoes a natural drop in body temperature, which can trigger sweating in response to the temperature decrease. This sweating response is exaggerated in individuals suffering from excessive sweating.
2. Another factor that can contribute to excessive sweating at night is the activity of the autonomic nervous system. This system is responsible for regulating various bodily functions, such as body temperature, respiration, and blood circulation. In some people with nocturnal hyperhidrosis, the autonomic nervous system can be overactive, leading to excessive sweating at night.
3. Hormonal imbalances can also play a role in excessive night sweating.

Diseases and medications are among the most common causes of night sweats

How I sweat a lot at night? The most probable cause of why you sweat at night is that you are in a room that is too hot. This can also be due to hormonal changes, medications, or other causes.

Nocturnal hyperhidrosis can be caused by various factors:

• Hormonal disorders,
• Infections,
• Medications,
• Underlying medical conditions such as menopause, diabetes, or sleep apnea,
• Lifestyle and dietary habits.

The medications most often associated with nocturnal sweating are antidepressants. As for diseases and conditions, hyperhidrosis, menopause, infections, diabetes, and heart diseases are more common causes. See also: 8 Diseases Causing Excessive Sweating.

It is very rare for cancer to be the cause of night sweats; other symptoms are much more characteristic.

Diet, beverages, and lifestyle choices can also lead to significant night sweats

Here are several factors that can cause excessive sweating at night, either every night or occasionally:

1. Alcohol consumption can dilate blood vessels, disrupt sleep cycles, and affect brain function, leading to night sweats.
2. Tobacco and cannabis use can also cause night sweats due to the stimulating effect of nicotine on the nervous system.
3. Caffeine can also induce night sweats due to its stimulating effect on the nervous system.
4. Late-night meals can impact digestion and nutrient absorption, resulting in night sweats.
5. Stress and anxiety can influence hormonal levels and brain functions, potentially causing night sweats in affected individuals.

For more details, I discuss these factors further in my dedicated article on the causes of night sweats in both men and women (coming soon in english).

See also: Diet, food and excessive sweating.

Hyperhidrosis is one of the conditions that can be the cause of excessive sweating at night

Sometimes, there is no identifiable cause for night sweats—no specific medications, hormonal changes, illnesses, or lifestyle factors that can explain them.

In such cases, the most probable hypothesis is that you may have primary hyperhidrosis. In 90% of cases, people with hyperhidrosis have primary hyperhidrosis.

This is a medically defined condition with research teams and medical and surgical treatments. It is the condition that affects the majority of people visiting the site you are currently consulting, the Hyperhidrosis Observatory.

You can find numerous other articles on this topic on my website.

Ventilating your room is one of the tips for sweating less at night

When discussing among individuals dealing with hyperhidrosis, one common observation is that many have adopted the habit of sleeping:

• In a room with a temperature around 15-19°C (59-66°F);
• With a slightly open window, even in the middle of winter;
• Using a fan or air conditioning.

The reason? The cold, but also the air circulation helps to dry the sweat more quickly as it leaves the body.

Some sheets help to better manage night sweats

Certain textile materials are better at absorbing moisture, provide less warmth, and are more breathable.

In particular:

• Bamboo;
• Linen;
• Cotton.

There are many varieties of sheets theoretically designed to better handle night sweats. You can find such sheets in a store of your choice.

Here are two examples:

• DOZ by SIJO 100% Organic Bamboo Sheet Set (see on Amazon)
• Oeko-Tex Bed Sheet Set Cotton (see on Amazon)

Some people seek a spiritual meaning behind night sweats

When I write a new article for this site, I often start from the questions people most frequently ask about excessive sweating on the internet.

This is how I noticed that dozens of people daily inquire about the spiritual significance of sweating at night.

Certainly, you can find people citing certain spiritual traditions that attribute a specific meaning to this physical experience. For example:

• In some indigenous cultures, excessive night sweating may be considered a spiritual purge, liberating the body from emotional or energetic toxins.
• In Ayurvedic tradition, excessive night sweating may be viewed as an imbalance in the Pitta dosha, correctable through dietary or lifestyle changes.

However, it is challenging to trace the precise sources of this information, and sources are often contradictory.

I understand that some people wish to find meaning behind what they experience, especially when it troubles them significantly. Personally, though, this type of explanation does not provide me with particular support.

In some cases, medical treatments can be used for night sweating

Many are hesitant to discuss their sweating issues with a healthcare professional: 50% of people wait ten years before consulting a doctor about it. There is a fear that it may be associated with poor hygiene.

And when one does speak up, some professionals may not be aware of the full range of non-medical, medical, and surgical treatments available.

Of course, the ideal is to find solutions without resorting to medication, particularly by adopting the various solutions discussed earlier: changing lifestyle habits, adapting the sleep environment, and treating underlying causes.

If nothing works, and your excessive night sweating is genuinely bothersome, you may consider exploring more specific treatments for hyperhidrosis.

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Do you have any comments or questions? Your comments are welcome 🙂 !

You may also like:

• Common causes of night sweat
• My blog on hyperhidrosis
• Pros and cons of medication for hyperhidrosis

 📚 SOURCES

Idiaquez J, Casar JC, Arnardottir ES, August E, Santin J, Iturriaga R. Hyperhidrosis in sleep disorders – A narrative review of mechanisms and clinical significance. J Sleep Res. 2022 Jun 15:e13660. doi: 10.1111/jsr.13660. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35706374.

Medications, Dermnet, here

Jared Brackenrich; Christy Fagg. Hyperhidrosis. here

Collercandy N, Thorey C, Diot E, Grammatico-Guillon L, Thillard EM, Bernard L, Maillot F, Lemaignen A. When to investigate for secondary hyperhidrosis: data from a retrospective cohort of all causes of recurrent sweating. Ann Med. 2022 Dec;54(1):2089-2101. doi: 10.1080/07853890.2022.2102675. PMID: 35903938; PMCID: PMC9455328.