GETTING to sleep can be hard enough – but the task can be even trickier with damp sheets.
While the heat can be a major source of discomfort when you’re trying to nod off, experts have warned you shouldn’t dismiss night sweats.
1
Sleep guru Andrea Strand said sweating at night can happen because of your environment or underlying medical issues.
She revealed the ideal temperature for snooze is between 15 and 20C.
But for some people, that’s not always possible and Andrea said that investing in a cooling mattress topper or switching to lighter bedding can help.
“If this is not cool enough for you, you can always place a cool pack under your pillow to lower your body temperature and stop the sweating”, she said.
Before assuming you have a serious health issue, Andrea, working with Eachnight.com, said you should avoid eating large meals two to three hours before bed.
“This means your digestive system won’t be working after you fall asleep, allowing your body to rest more.
“Avoiding spicy foods and caffeine at night can also be a great way to beat the night-time sweats.
“Caffeine is a stimulant and can increase your heart rate, leading to a raise in blood pressure which can activate sweat glands”, she said.
Andrea explained stress and anxiety can also cause night sweats, and doing activities such as yoga and meditation before bed could help.
If you’ve tried these tips, your night sweats continue and you start to experience day time fatigue as a result of lost sleep, then it could be time to see a doctor, Andrea said.
This is because night sweats can actually be down to a number of illnesses.
When Omicron first emerged, while it is a milder illness, many people were complaining of night sweats.
It can leave your bed sheets and nightwear damp, or even soaking wet, even if the room you are sleeping in is cool.
Speaking to ITV’s Lorraine, Dr Amir Khan said patients were experiencing “those kind of drenching night sweats where you might have to get up and change your clothes”.
Certain medications can also cause night sweats, such as depression medications, hormone therapy, as well as drugs used to treat opioid addiction, such as methadone and drugs to treat low blood sugar.
Experts at the Mayo Clinic also explained that night sweats can be a sign of a range of deadly illnesses.
These are:
Night sweats can also be down to alcohol use disorders, as well as drug addiction.
When you stop using alcohol and drugs you might experience sweating and shaking.
The experts explained: “Alcohol withdrawal can occur when alcohol use has been heavy and prolonged and is then stopped or greatly reduced. It can occur within several hours to four or five days later.
“Signs and symptoms include sweating, rapid heartbeat, hand tremors, problems sleeping, nausea and vomiting, hallucinations, restlessness and agitation, anxiety, and occasionally seizures.
“Symptoms can be severe enough to impair your ability to function at work or in social situations.”
While the illnesses above are the most deadly, most of the time night sweats will be down to a less serious condition.
It’s always important to check with your GP if you’re worried.
We pay for your stories!
Do you have a story for Central Recorder news desk?