Sweating in sleep, also known as night sweats, can happen for several reasons including hormonal imbalances (such as menopause), medications, infections, anxiety, stress, and even your sleep environment or what you wear to bed. Hormonal changes can trick the brain's temperature control, causing excessive sweating. Stress and anxiety activate the body's stress response which can lead to sweating while asleep. Additionally, infections trigger the body's immune response, sometimes raising body temperature and causing sweating to help cool down. Environmental factors like heavy bedding or a warm room may also cause sweating that is not true night sweats but rather overheating during sleep.
More specific causes related to health include low blood sugar (especially in diabetes), sleep apnea, hormone disorders like thyroid issues, and certain medications such as antidepressants and steroids. If night sweats are frequent, severe, or accompanied by other concerning symptoms such as fever, weight loss, or fatigue, it is important to consult a doctor for a thorough evaluation.
In summary, common reasons for sweating during sleep are hormonal changes, stress, infections, medication side effects, and an overheated sleeping environment. Identifying the exact cause may require medical advice if symptoms persist or worsen.
