Why Do i Sweat When I Sleep

Many people can sleep through the night without any problems. For a percentage of the population, there are some sleep disorders and problems that can cause sleep disruptions and discomfort.

One condition is night sweats. While you may not feel this going on while you are in deep slumber, you may often wake up to a pool of dried sweat on your pillows and wonder, “why do I sweat when I sleep?” If this is the case, there may be a number of reasons for this situation.

You have to remember that sweating is a normal and natural process of the human body. External factors in your environment may be the root cause. If your room is too warm and your clothes aren’t comfortable, then you will sweat during the night.

This is why it’s best to avoid synthetic fabrics when going to sleep. Use high thread count cotton sheets and regulate the temperature in your room by opening or closing a window, or using an electric fan or the air conditioner to help prevent this.

Also, make sure that you avoid consuming chocolate, caffeine, spicy food and alcoholic beverages at least two to three hours before you turn in, as these have been shown to contribute to nighttime sweats.

However, there are cases wherein the cause is internal rather than external. This is the case for night sweats caused by an underlying medical condition.

If you still ask the question, “why do I sweat when I sleep even if my room is comfortable?”, then the cause may be a medical condition. Menopause or even perimenopause is often associated with night sweats.

The hormonal changes in the body can cause hot flashes in a person.

A woman may wake up in the middle of the night because of excessive sweating. Another reason why you may sweat at night is because the body is dealing with an infection.

Tuberculosis, AIDS, endocarditis, osteomyelitis or cancer of the lymphoma may cause night sweats in patients. These conditions may only be confirmed by a physician so it’s best to consult a doctor.

Taking certain prescription medication has also been shown to cause sweating at night. This is especially true for anti-depressants or anti-psychotic medication.

Cortisone based medication may also contribute to the condition. Taking tamoxifen, hydralazine and even Viagra can be a contributing factor. In other cases, idiopathic hyperhidrosis may be the underlying cause.

In this instance, the excessive sweating may not have any medically explainable cause. Talk to your doctor to discuss the best course of treatment so you can find relief and get a good night’s sleep without breaking a sweat.