Sleep Deprivation And Sweating: What's The Connection?

Night sweats, or sweating while sleeping, can be caused by a variety of factors, including environmental, medical, and psychological reasons. The most common cause of night sweats is a warm sleeping environment, which can be addressed by lowering the temperature or using lighter bedding and sleepwear. However, night sweats can also be caused by underlying medical conditions such as hormonal imbalances, endocrine disorders, infections, or cancer. In some cases, night sweats may be a side effect of certain medications or substances like alcohol. Additionally, stress and anxiety can lead to night sweats as they affect the body's responses and functions. It is important to consult a healthcare professional if night sweats are frequent, persistent, or accompanied by other symptoms, as they can help identify and address the underlying causes.

A warm sleeping environment

Your body goes through normal temperature changes as you sleep, and during certain phases of sleep, your body temperature may increase, which can lead to sweating. If your environment is too warm, you may wake up in a sweat.

To avoid night sweats caused by a warm sleeping environment, try the following:

• Keep your bedroom cool. Experts suggest an ideal sleeping temperature of around 65 degrees, but this can vary based on preference and other factors. You can lower your thermostat, use a fan, or open a window to let in fresh air.
• Choose lightweight bedding. Avoid fleece, flannel, down, and synthetic fibres, which can trap heat. Instead, opt for breathable cotton or moisture-wicking materials that allow for better temperature regulation.
• Dress lightly for sleep. Avoid long-sleeve pyjamas or heavy sleepwear, as these can cause you to overheat. Choose lightweight, breathable, or moisture-wicking sleepwear to stay comfortable throughout the night.
• Adjust your bedding as needed. If you find yourself getting too warm, remove extra blankets or layers to help cool down.

Stress and anxiety

Additionally, stress and anxiety can trigger a range of other physical responses that may contribute to disrupted sleep and excessive sweating. These responses can include a fast heartbeat, rapid breathing, shakiness, stomach and digestive issues, unexplained aches and pains, and mood changes.

To manage stress and anxiety-induced night sweats, it is essential to address the underlying causes. This may involve working with a mental health professional, such as a therapist, to identify and treat the root of these issues. Incorporating stress reduction techniques into your bedtime routine can also be beneficial. For example, you can try building in time to wind down before bed by taking a warm shower, avoiding screen time, or reading a book. Creating a relaxing atmosphere by adjusting the lighting and sound in your bedroom can also help.

If you experience recurrent or persistent stress and anxiety, it is important to seek professional help. Long-lasting or severe stress and anxiety could be indicative of a more serious mental health issue, such as an anxiety disorder or depression. Consult with your healthcare provider to discuss your symptoms and explore appropriate treatment options.

Hormonal issues

Sleep is heavily influenced by hormones, and hormonal issues can cause sleep disturbances. Hormone levels can fluctuate during pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause, potentially leading to excess sweating at night. Too much or too little of certain hormones can disrupt the regulation of body functions, including internal temperature control.

Estrogen

Estrogen deficiency can cause sleep disturbances, mainly due to night sweats and hot flashes. This can be treated with bioidentical estrogen, which must be balanced with bioidentical progesterone.

Progesterone

Progesterone has a soporific or sleep-inducing effect and can generate a sense of calmness when taken before bedtime. Low progesterone is often a culprit behind insomnia and anxiety.

Testosterone

Testosterone is important for quality deep sleep in men. A lack of sleep can lead to lower testosterone levels, creating a vicious cycle. Low testosterone can also play a role in sleep apnea.

Thyroid

Thyroid hormones give people more energy, regulate metabolism, and improve sleep quality, allowing people to spend more time in deep sleep phases. They can also help those who wake up frequently from snoring or sleep apnea. Conditions that impact the body's endocrine system, such as hyperthyroidism and diabetes, can disrupt hormone levels and result in night sweats.

Other Hormones

Follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and cortisol are also involved in sleep. Hormone imbalances are most often linked to reproductive health problems but can cause symptoms throughout the body, including hair thinning, hot flashes, nausea, brain fog, and anxiety.

Medication side effects

Medication can be a cause of night sweats, which are characterised by soaking wet clothes or bedsheets. If you are experiencing night sweats, it is important to speak with a healthcare professional, who may recommend adjusting your dosage, changing your medication, or adding a new medication.

Antidepressants

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as escitalopram (Lexapro), sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil), fluoxetine (Prozac), and citalopram (Celexa) can cause excessive sweating. About 10% of people taking an SSRI report this side effect. Other antidepressants that can cause night sweats include bupropion (Wellbutrin XR, Wellbutrin SR) and venlafaxine (Effexor XR). Bupropion is an example of an antidepressant that may be less likely to cause sweating.

Tricyclic Antidepressants

These are not used as often, but they can cause sweating.

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids like prednisone (Rayos, Prednisone Intensol) are known to cause sweating. This side effect should go away once you complete your course of treatment.

Triptans

Triptans are a class of medications used to treat migraines. Examples include sumatriptan (Imitrex), rizatriptan (Maxalt), and frovatriptan (Frova). Triptans are usually only taken for a short period, but you may experience sweating after taking one. This should go away once the medication is out of your system. Triptans also carry a risk of serotonin syndrome, which can be fatal.

NSAID Pain Relievers

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and aspirin, can sometimes cause sweating as a side effect. If you are taking these regularly and experiencing excessive sweating, you could try a topical NSAID like diclofenac gel (Voltaren gel).

Opioid Pain Relievers

Opioids such as morphine (MS Contin), oxycodone (OxyContin), hydromorphone (Dilaudid), and tramadol (Qdolo, ConZip) are a well-known cause of excessive sweating. This is because opioids stimulate mast cells, which release histamine, resulting in skin warmth and sweating. Opioids also carry a risk of dependence, and sweating can be a withdrawal symptom. Do not stop taking opioids abruptly on your own.

Diabetes Medications

Sweating while taking diabetes medications could be a sign that your blood glucose is too low (hypoglycaemia). Other symptoms include shakiness, a fast heartbeat, and dizziness. Hypoglycaemia is a common side effect of insulin, glyburide (Diabeta, Glynase), and glipizide (Glucotrol XL).

Asthma Inhalers

Some asthma inhalers contain beta-agonist drugs that can cause increased sweating. These include albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil, ProAir) and levalbuterol (Xopenex), as well as combination inhalers like fluticasone/salmeterol (Advair) and ipratropium/albuterol (Combivent).

Proton Pump Inhibitors

Sweating has been reported with medications like omeprazole (Prilosec) and lansoprazole (Prevacid). These are usually only taken for up to 14 days (OTC) or 4 to 8 weeks (prescription).

Breast Cancer Medications

Hormone therapy medications for breast cancer, like tamoxifen (Soltamox), anastrozole (Arimidex), exemestane (Aromasin), and letrozole (Femara) can cause night sweats. These medications lower estrogen in the body, which can result in symptoms similar to menopause, such as hot flashes and night sweats.

Other Medications

Any medication that affects the balance of hormones or brain chemicals can potentially cause excessive sweating. Other drug classes that have increased sweating as a side effect include certain migraine medications and osteoporosis treatments.

Underlying medical conditions

Night sweats, or excessive sweating at night, can be caused by a variety of underlying medical conditions. Here are some possible reasons:

Endocrine Disorders

Conditions that affect the body's endocrine system, such as hyperthyroidism and diabetes, can disrupt hormone levels and result in night sweats. Hyperthyroidism, for instance, causes an overactivity of thyroid hormones, which can speed up bodily functions like sweat production. On the other hand, people with diabetes may experience hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, during the night, leading to increased sweating.

Infections

Certain infections, including serious ones like HIV, mononucleosis, pneumonia, flu, COVID-19, endocarditis, osteomyelitis, and tuberculosis, can induce night sweats. Infections cause a rise in body temperature as the body tries to kill off the invading organism, leading to sweating even during sleep.

Cancer

Although rare, certain types of cancer, such as Hodgkin's lymphoma, leukemia, and prostate cancer, can cause night sweats. Night sweats may also be a side effect of cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Sleep Disorders

Research has linked sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea and insomnia with night sweats. The frequent night awakenings associated with these disorders may trigger sweating. Treating sleep apnea, for example, has been shown to reduce night sweats in some cases.

Anxiety and Stress

Anxiety disorders and chronic stress can lead to night sweats as they amplify the body's responses, including sweat production. Recurrent or long-lasting stress and anxiety could indicate a more serious mental health issue that requires professional help.

Hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis is a condition characterized by excessive sweating with no apparent cause. It can occur during the day or at night and may be focal (genetic) or generalized (caused by an underlying medical condition or medication). While not serious, hyperhidrosis can be embarrassing and significantly impact one's life.

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