If you wake up drenched in sweat every night, you may have a condition called night sweat. Night sweats may occur due to the temperature of the room, clothing, bedding, or underlying medical condition. If you have frequent night sweats, you should consider changing your bedtime habits. You should also talk to a doctor to determine the root cause of the condition.

What causes night sweat?

1. Obesity

Obesity can cause night sweats and should be treated by a medical doctor if you are afflicted with it. Increasing fat in the body can cause other issues, such as blood sugar and cardiovascular disease. These problems can lead to increased sweating during the night, so it is important to address these issues as quickly as possible.

2. Warm Climate

Oftentimes, night sweat is caused by a change in climate, but you can prevent it by making sure you're sleeping in a cool environment.

The temperature in your bedroom may be the primary cause of night sweats. Regardless of the reason, it's important to remember that your body is trying to cool itself down, and it does this by sweating.

A number of simple changes in your daily habits can make a huge difference in the level of your night sweats. First, avoiding spicy foods and caffeine before bed can help you stay cool and comfortable. Second, try to avoid too many blankets on your bed.

3. Infections

Another potential cause of night sweats is bacterial endocarditis. An infection of the heart's valves can cause night sweats, as can aortic dissection.

4. Autoinmune Diseases

Night sweats can be caused by many different causes. They may be related to your room temperature or what you wear to bed, or they can be a sign of something more serious, such as an autoimmune disorder or sleep apnea.

Autoinflammatory diseases cause the body to mistakenly attack healthy tissue and cause widespread inflammation. Night sweats can be a symptom of autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and Lupus. In addition to drenching sweats, these diseases can also cause fatigue and joint swelling.

5. Hormone Disorders

Women going through menopause may also experience night sweats. The change in hormone levels during this time is thought to be a significant contributor to this condition. Some women with menopause experience hot flashes as well, which are characterized by sudden changes in body temperature, which are accompanied by a rash.

Menopause symptoms may also be exacerbated by obesity, and women who are obese often experience worse night sweats. This may be because the extra body-fat tissue is a strong insulator of heat. 

6. Stress

Whether you're stressed out or simply overly anxious, stress can trigger a night sweat. Your body responds to stress by sweating, but the sweat is only one of several physiological effects of your body's stress response. Stress also increases the amount of perspiration that occurs during sleep. To relieve your stress level, try yoga and lighten your work load.

Studies have shown that stress can trigger night sweats. This is because it can cause your brain to become overactive and make your sweat glands more responsive. Moreover, anxiety may cause a person to worry about the possible effects of his or her sweating, which can further increase his or her anxiety. In severe cases, you should see a doctor to determine the underlying cause of your anxiety. 

7. Alcohol Consumption

Alcohol is known to increase the risk of night sweats because it affects the nervous system, which can increase the body's temperature. People with alcohol intolerance or withdrawal from alcohol can experience night sweats. Drinking too much alcohol will alter your core body temperature, leading to excessive sweating.

8. Medicines

Certain medicines are known to cause night sweats, including antidepressants, steroids, and some painkillers. If you have experienced night sweats while taking these medications, you should speak to your doctor. You may be able to find an alternative to the medication, or your doctor may prescribe a different drug that can help alleviate your condition.

Treatments for Night Sweats

There are many causes of night sweats, including stress, alcohol, hormones, and prescription medications. It can be extremely uncomfortable and affect your quality of sleep. It can even lead to medical problems. While there are no known cures for night sweats, there are many things you can do to reduce your risk of developing them.

First, you can try to limit the amount of stress you feel throughout the day. Changing your lifestyle can significantly reduce the number of nights you'll be drenched in sweat. Avoid drinking alcohol, caffeine or spicy food before bed and avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes. Instead, dress in layers so you can adjust your temperature easily throughout the night. Also, wear socks made from moisture-wicking materials. Also, try to sleep in a room with a cooler temperature and to drink plenty of cold water before you go to bed.

Another way to help alleviate night sweats is to do relaxation exercises before bed. You can also do this by exercising frequently. However, if the problem continues, you should visit your doctor. This way, you can get the appropriate treatment to prevent further complications.

In some cases, medications can be prescribed to help reduce night sweats. In other cases, you may need to switch medications or try different treatments.

If night sweats are bothersome, you should consider getting professional help.