Night sweats that are not caused by warm bedding

Short answer: If you have temperature, duvet and sleepwear under control and still sweat at night, it is worth mentioning to your doctor. Clothing can make it more comfortable, not solve the cause.

Clear the three known things first

Room temperature, duvet thickness and sleepwear explain most cases of night sweats. Lower the temperature a couple of degrees, switch to a thinner duvet, and try lighter sleepwear before looking further for other causes. See bamboo bedding, easy to adjust with the season.

Thin sleepwear makes the night bearable

A material that moves moisture away from the skin means you are not lying in something wet and cold after a sweat in the middle of the night. Thin, smooth fabric against the skin feels less clammy than thicker cotton. See bamboo sleepwear, made exactly for this purpose.

Change midway through the night

Keeping a set of sleepwear ready by the bed means changing takes a minute instead of lying awake in something damp. Try laying a towel over the sheet on the side you sweat most, so you can change it without changing the whole bed. See bamboo sleepwear for women.

Bedding plays a role too

Thick, dense bedding holds onto heat and moisture, which can extend a sweat rather than shorten it. Smooth, breathable bedding lets moisture escape instead of trapping it, which makes the whole night more comfortable to get through.

Drink less late in the evening

Large amounts of fluid, alcohol or heavily spiced food late in the evening can trigger night sweats in some people. It is not a guarantee, but a simple place to start if you want to check whether your own evening routine plays a part.

Keep the bedroom cool

A cool, well ventilated bedroom makes it easier to hold a stable temperature all night. Air the room before bed, and consider a fan on warm nights if the room struggles to cool down on its own.

Keep a short log

Note down for a few nights when the sweating happens, how strong it is, and what you ate or drank that day. This makes it easier for both you and your doctor to see whether there is a pattern or whether it seems random.

It is not always something serious

Night sweats can have many entirely ordinary causes, from stress to a common cold. That does not mean it is not worth looking into, but it is also not cause for undue worry while you wait for a conversation with your doctor.

Mention it to your doctor

Persistent night sweats without explanation should be mentioned at your next appointment, especially if it is new or comes with other symptoms. It is information worth passing on, even if you are not sure yourself whether it means anything.

Frequently asked questions

What should you do about night sweats?

First fix temperature, duvet and sleepwear. If it continues despite those changes, mention it to your doctor at your next opportunity rather than waiting long.

Does thin sleepwear help?

It does not remove the sweating, but it moves the moisture away so you are not lying wet afterwards. It makes the night more bearable even before a cause is found.