What it means if you sweat a lot in your sleep. This can be a symptom of several conditions

Waking up on a sweltering summer morning in sweat is unpleasant, but expected. It’s another matter when it happens in a non-hot season or happens all the time. What is the cause of night sweating? Is it normal?

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Sweating itself is a normal, vital function. Only infants do not sweat. Sweating is the basis of the cooling mechanism. The nervous system automatically triggers the work of sweat glands when the body temperature rises. For example, during emotional distress, physical exertion, illness or a reaction to heat.

There is a thermoregulation center in the brain that signals the sweat glands. There are over a thousand of them in the body. The glands relax and, accordingly, sweat appears.

Why we sweat at night

If night sweats are not related to emotional dreams, the embarrassing symptom can occur for many other reasons.

Sleep conditions

Julia: Unrelated to diseases – temperature and humidity in the bedroom, too warm a blanket, synthetic clothing, taking certain types of medications (antidepressants, insulin, aspirin, abrupt withdrawal of psychoactive drugs).

Diseases

For example, a disorder of the nervous system that regulates the function of internal organs. Stress and panic attacks. Apnea (temporary respiratory arrest) during sleep, hypertensive crisis.

The cause of excessive sweating at night can be infectious, viral and bacterial diseases – all with fever, tuberculosis, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and some cancers.

There are two types of excessive sweating:

• focal hyperhidrosis: excessive sweating in specific areas of the body (usually the axillae, arms, legs, or face);
• generalized hyperhidrosis: excessive sweating, usually the result of specific diseases.

Julia: The most common form of hyperhidrosis is called primary focal hyperhidrosis. In this type, the nerves responsible for signaling to the sweat glands become overactive, even if it was not caused by physical activity or a rise in temperature. When stressed or nervous, the problem worsens. This type is usually manifested by sweating on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, and sometimes the face.

When is it worth contacting a specialist?

Often people suffer from hyperhidrosis for years without seeking help. Increased sweating can have a negative impact on your life. Cause social awkwardness, increase anxiety levels. It can also be a sign of a serious health problem.

See your doctor if:

• you seem to be sweating a lot more than usual;
• your sweating is not related to exercise or being in a stuffy room;
• you are unintentionally losing weight;
• sweating mainly occurs or increases at night.

In addition to the unpleasant emotional effects of hyperhidrosis, excessive sweating can also cause painful skin problems and irritations such as bacterial overgrowth and fungal growth, inflammation, etc.