Are you constantly waking up drenched in sweat? If so, don’t worry. You aren’t alone and there could be an explanation for your issue. Namely, sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that could be causing your night sweats.

Luckily, there are numerous potential treatment options to help you solve your problem, such as using special sleep equipment. Hence, if you’ve been experiencing frequent night sweats ensure you talk to your doctor to find the cause and get the right treatment.

Night Sweats Basics

If you experience extreme perspiration during sleep, it means that you are having night sweats. You don’t really have to worry about this if this happens occasionally. However, if it is an ongoing problem and you constantly wake up drenched in sweat, there could be a medical condition leading to night sweats, and therefore you should seek medical attention.

Some medical causes of night sweats include menopause, hormonal imbalances, autoimmune disease, stress, anxiety, some medications, etc. And, as we already said, sleep apnea is also closely connected to night sweats.

Night Sweats and Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition characterized by breathing interruptions during sleep. This experience increases the levels of the stress hormone called cortisol and when the body tries to continue breathing regularly it seems like you are working out.

According to a study, people who have untreated sleep apnea are at a 30% higher risk of experiencing night sweats compared to those without sleep apnea. The study also showed that high blood pressure and not enough rapid eye movement sleep might be the cause.

Besides constant night sweats, other symptoms of sleep apnea include snoring, headaches, daytime sleepiness, irritability, concentration issues, sore throat, dry mouth, and memory issues. That said, if you’ve noticed any of these symptoms along with your night sweats, talk to your doctor as soon as possible to get the issue treated.

Speaking of treatment, the most common and recommended sleep apnea treatment is using sleep equipment. This includes a face mask and tubing that deliver continuous pressurized air to ease your breathing while asleep. Indeed, one study found that such equipment eliminated night sweats caused by sleep apnea.

Night Sweats Relief

In addition to using sleep equipment, there are other home remedies and strategies that could help you significantly in getting relief and reducing night sweats. Here are some tips:

• Bedding – Make sure that you aren’t using too much bedding that’s keeping you warm. Invest in good-quality breathable sheets and pajamas to help your skin stay dry.
• Airflow –Ensuring there’s proper airflow in your bedroom is also crucial. So, try cracking a window, opening a door, or getting a fan to keep air circulating
• Temperature – Similarly, the optimal temperature for sleeping ranges from 60 to 67°F for adults. So, set your thermostat before going to bed.
• Exercise – Following a wrong exercise schedule could also contribute to night sweats. As we know, exercise keeps your body warm so avoid working out close to bedtime.
• Stress – Stress could also cause night sweats. Thus, try relaxing before bedtime by doing activities you enjoy like reading, taking a shower, meditating, etc.
• Diet – Finally, your diet could also affect your temperature and be the cause of your issue. Just ensure you avoid alcohol, caffeine, smoking, and spicy food before bedtime.

The bottom line, there’s a link between sleep apnea and night sweats. To find relief, talk to your doctor to get the needed sleep apnea treatment and try the above-listed tips.