When night sweats become a cause for medical concern

Do you often wake up with a sweaty pillow? Please don’t ignore it. While it could be due to heat, it may also be a symptom of a severe illness. When should you see a doctor? We explain.

When temperatures exceed 25°C, we start to sweat intensively. This is an entirely natural phenomenon resulting from the body's thermoregulation. However, excessive sweating during sleep can be a symptom of a severe illness.

Sweating due to heat is natural and affects everyone, regardless of age or gender. The body tries to "defend" itself against high temperatures by producing sweat, which cools it. The body also sweats at night, especially in summer.

If the temperature in the room does not exceed 25°C, yet you wake up "drenched in sweat," it may be due to severe stress or anxiety disorders. Increasing tension manifests itself in the form of night sweats, teeth grinding, or nightmares.

How to help yourself? It would help if you lowered cortisol, the stress hormone. Regular physical activity and meditation, which significantly reduce anxiety levels, will be helpful.

Stress is just one of the factors that cause night sweats. Taking certain medications can aggravate this condition. These include painkillers, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergy drugs (e.g., ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin, cortisone, prednisone, and prednisolone), as well as most antidepressants.

Night sweats can be troublesome. The problem arises when there is so much sweat that we wake up on a damp pillow. If this happens regularly, you should consult a doctor. Excessive sweating may indicate hormonal disorders, diabetes, menopause, or a deficiency of specific vitamins.

If the doctor does not find any abnormalities, ensure the bedroom temperature does not exceed 20°C. Before going to bed, try to ventilate the room thoroughly. Invest in bedding and pyjamas made of natural materials like cotton or linen.