Increased sweating is known as hyperhidrosis. Night sweating is then referred to as nocturnal hyperhidrosis. Some people regularly sweat heavily at night.
This can have various causes. An important criterion for the assessment of night sweat, which is often also asked by the doctor, is whether the night sweat was so strong that the pyjamas had to be changed or the bed sheet was soaked. In principle, sweating is something natural and is used by the body to release excess heat from the inside out.
This occurs especially in warm outside temperatures, during physical activity or even when there is a fever as part of an infection. A sweat emission at night of up to 500 mL is considered normal. At night, especially in the first half of the night, there is an average drop in body temperature of 1.5°C.
The body releases this heat to the outside. However, the environment must also be able to absorb the heat. If you lie under a thick blanket, for example, the heat is more difficult to dissipate.
The heat is then released through increased sweating. Night sweat is usually a harmless cause that can easily be eliminated. If the night sweat persists over a period of three to four weeks, however, a doctor should be consulted for clarification. This is especially true if fever, unwanted weight loss, fatigue or unspecific pain also occurs.
What can I do against night sweats?
Night sweat is a symptom behind which many different causes can be hidden. Also the definition of night sweat is not uniform, which is why there is often confusion about what can be called night sweat. By night sweat in the narrower sense of the word, doctors initially mean a very strong night sweat that causes one to change the nightgown or even the bed linen.
Sometimes the sweat is so intense that the linen is even changed several times during the night. Behind such a night sweat hides itself an illness, for example from the rheumatic form circle or a cancer illness, which must be treated by a physician. Infections can also cause such night sweats.
Unfortunately, one cannot do anything against this kind of night sweat oneself. Many humans seize under night sweat also less strong, nocturnal sweating. This type of “night sweat” is usually not caused by illness, so that one can do something against it oneself.
First of all, you should make sure that you do not heat the bedroom too much. A room temperature around 16 to 19 °C is optimal for sleeping. It is recommended to air the room with the windows completely open before sleeping so that the room can cool down at night.
Furthermore, you should choose breathable, light materials for bedding and nightgown. Cotton is very suitable in this case, whereas polyester or satin should be avoided. Before going to bed, you should avoid spicy food, caffeinated drinks or alcohol, as these increase sweating. Sage or chamomile tea is recommended in the evening. Furthermore, cool compresses on the wrists can help to cool down a bit and reduce sweating.
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