Suffering From Night Sweats? Here's What You Need to Know
Do you wake up in a pool of sweat? Do you have to change your sheets multiple times a night? If so, you might be suffering from night sweats. Night sweats are a common symptom of many medical conditions, but they can also be caused by your bed sheets.
Wondering how? Keep reading to find out!
Night Sweats: The Hot Topic
If you sweat during the night, you’re not alone—most people do. What are the two biggest culprits? Your bedroom and the sheets you’re sleeping on.
What Are Night Sweats?
Night sweats are episodes of excessive sweating that occur during sleep. They can be severe enough to soak your bedclothes and bed sheets, and may even wake you up. Night sweats are a common symptom of menopause, but they can also be caused by other conditions, such as anxiety, infections, and certain medications.[3]
If you regularly wake up with soaking wet sheets, you should consult your physician. Please see your doctor if you: [4]
- have night sweats regularly that wake you up or worry you.
- have a very high temperature (or feel hot and shivery), a cough, or diarrhea.
- have night sweats and are losing weight for no apparent reason.
- you notice your sweats have a noticeable color to them.
- have any questions or concerns regarding your sleep health.
The Science Behind Night Sweats
When you sleep, your body temperature naturally drops. However, if your body temperature drops too low, your body will release hormones to warm you up, which can cause you to shiver. In some people, the body's natural thermostat becomes overactive and releases too much heat, which can lead to night sweats.[5]
The most common causes behind night sweats can be: [3]
- Menopause symptoms (“hot flashes”)
- Anxiety
- Hyperthyroidism
- Diabetes
- Hormonal issues
- Neurological conditions
- Certain sleep disorders
- Obesity
- Depression
- Infections
- Dietary triggers
- Medicines (some antidepressants, steroids, and painkillers)
- Alcohol or drug use
- Hyperhidrosis (a condition that makes you sweat too much all the time)
- The temperature in your bedroom is too high (the ideal sleeping temperature is approximately 65 degrees Fahrenheit).
- Your bed sheets retain heat and moisture, and can’t regulate your body temperature.
Other Facts About Night Sweats
Need to know more? Check out some of these fun facts about night sweats: [3,4,6]
- Both men and women may experience night sweats for many of the same reasons, although they are more common in women than in men.
- Night sweats are most common during menopause, but they can start years before menopause begins.
- There are treatments available to help reduce night sweats, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, medications, emotional support systems, and so much more.
- OSA is a sleep disorder that causes people to repeatedly stop breathing during sleep. It is estimated that 3% to 7% of Americans have OSA. Men are 3 to 5 times more likely to develop OSA than women due to differences in airway anatomy, obesity rates, and hormonal levels.
Still Sweating? You Need Better Bed Sheets!
Don't end up trying to snuggle up in the coolness of your refrigerator.
Your old, traditional bed sheets can trap heat and moisture, which might be leading to your night sweats. This is especially true if your sheets are made of cotton, which is incredibly stuffy and not the best when it comes to breathability or wicking away moisture.
You need bed sheets made from moisture-wicking materials, like the coveted bamboo viscose, which can help keep you cool and dry at night. Don’t forget that for the perfect sleep oasis your bedroom temperature should be in the sweet spot of about 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
Here’s the great news—you’ve got options! Take a look at our top two favorite bamboo viscose sheets for sweaty sleepers:
100% Bamboo Bed Sheets
- Made from 100% pure bamboo viscose, which is naturally thermo-regulating and moisture-wicking.
- Beautifully designed for resort-grade style sleep all while staying affordable.
- Up to 10 color options to choose from.
- Designed with deep pockets and a durable 360-degree elastic fit.
- Perfect for people with sensitive skin or who suffer from night sweats.
- Machine washable and dryer friendly for easy maintenance.
- Lightweight, breathable, and wicks away excess body heat for a cooler sleep.
Luxury Bed Sheets
- Made from a unique bamboo viscose and polyester blend.
- One of the most breathable and lightweight fabrics on the market.
- Stays cooler and has thermal-regulating properties that balance your body temperature.
- Resists wrinkling, stains, and pilling.
- Fits all mattress types, from thin to thick (up to 16”).
- Machine washable and dryer friendly for easy maintenance.
- Wicks away excess body heat for a cooler sleep.
Cosy Pro Tip: Pair a cooling Luxury Mattress Protector with your new Cosy House Bedding. These mattress covers are crafted from 100% waterproof bamboo viscose fabric and help to guard against liquids, stains, and everyday wear. Night sweaters—snag this protector so you can stay cooler, cleaner, and dryer while you sleep.
Why do we love bamboo so much? It all comes down to Cosy House’s three Cs—Care, Comfort, and Cost:
- Care: We care about our planet. Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing renewable sources on the planet and uses less water than cotton. And, unlike cotton yield, bamboo plants don’t need too much space to produce a large crop. Bamboo plants also make 35% more oxygen than a hardwood forest, and with their extensive root systems, they help fight back against soil erosion to boot. [1,2]
- Comfort: We care about what’s going into your home. Viscose derived from bamboo is lightweight, breathable, and feathery-soft. Not to mention that sheets made from bamboo viscose are safe for sensitive skin and noses because they can naturally ward off common household non-living allergens!
- Cost: We care about you. Bamboo viscose is cheaper than cotton—they give you higher quality for less money than the higher-priced alternatives (ahem … cotton).
Ultimately, the best bed sheet for you will depend on your individual preferences. If you need some more bedding inspiration, look no further than right here. Day or night, hot or cold—-our dreamy collection of bed sheets is just what you need for your best sleep.
If you're experiencing night sweats, don't suffer in silence. Talk to your doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions. Your professional healthcare provider will be able to help you determine the next best steps as well as if it’s just a matter of stuffy bedding, or something more serious.
If you're looking for more information about night sweats, or if you're interested in learning about sleep science, bedding, lifestyle, tips, tricks, and so much more, visit our Cosy Living Blog! We have a wealth of information on all things Cosy and all things you.
Stay cozy out there!
We've gone ahead & enclosed a 10% off coupon below for you to use if you'd like to take the plunge and try out our sheets for yourself! To shop our collection & get 10% OFF Use the code 'BLOG10' at checkout.
Resources:
- Wikimedia Foundation. (2022, May 24). Bamboo. Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bamboo.
- Shrujal Jayesh Kumar, B., & Syeda, A. (2014, December). A case study on bamboo as a green building material. ISSN: 2249 – 8958, Volume-4 Issue-2. Retrieved from https://internationalgbc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0165_10.1.1.678.7429.pdf.
- Causes of night sweats. Sleep Foundation. (2023, February 13). https://www.sleepfoundation.org/night-sweats/causes-of-night-sweats
- Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2022, March 5). Night sweats. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/night-sweats/basics/definition/sym-20050768
- Tan CL, Knight ZA. Regulation of Body Temperature by the Nervous System. Neuron. 2018 Apr 4;98(1):31-48. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2018.02.022. PMID: 29621489; PMCID: PMC6034117. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6034117/
- Causes of night sweats in men. Sleep Foundation. (2023a, April 6). https://www.sleepfoundation.org/night-sweats/men