Many people struggle with night sweats because of overheating during the night, but what about the cold sweats that come on regardless of temperature in the bed? Cold sweats are unlike other types of sweating, as they persist regardless of hot temperatures, level of exercise, or a predisposition to night sweats. Cold sweats are brought on with a sudden chill accompanied by excessive sweating that is highly concentrated in the palms, underarms, and soles of the feet. Cold sweats are often attributed to our body’s fight or flight instinct, in which we prepare ourselves to encounter a threatening situation. However, cold sweats can also be brought on by certain types of common conditions that restrict blood or oxygen flow from circulating evenly throughout the body. As mentioned, these sweats are much different from sweating due to higher body temperatures and night sweats, so what triggers cold sweats?

The answer is a variety of different factors. Some of the most common reasons that one might find themselves experiencing cold sweats while sleeping are as follows:

Stress or Anxiety:
Stress or anxiety affects millions of sleepers across the world. With pressures at home, work, and/or school, it often keeps people awake at night. Anxiety and stress and weigh on the mind even as we sleep, and can cause night sweats because of the physical impacts that stress can have on the body. Stress can cause unexplained pain unrelated to injury, the muscles to tense, and even nausea and vomiting. These side effects of stress and anxiety can all trigger the onset of nighttime cold sweats and disrupt sleep. For more information on this topic, take a look at our article about Anxiety and Sweating at Night.

Medication Side Effects:
One of the reasons that a sleeper might find themselves waking up in a cold sweat is their body’s reaction to a certain kind of medicine they may be taking. Hormone therapy drugs, strong pain relievers, and antidepressants are medications that can trigger the onset of cold sweats. Commonly known medications such as albuterol and insulin have been linked to side effects of cold sweating. Medications that can trigger night sweats can be either prescription drugs or those found over-the-counter. If these medications are causing an increased cold sweating, be sure to contact a medical professional about various tests that might allow for a lowered dosage.

Migraines:
Migraines are headaches characterized by intense pain for an extended period of time. Migraines can make sufferers feel disoriented, dizzy, or even cause them to experience temporary blurred vision or slurred speech. The body typically reacts to intense pains with cold sweating, meaning that the pain associated with migraines can cause a similar reaction and trigger cold sweating.

Infections:
It is not uncommon for the body to react to bodily infections with cold sweats. This especially the case for those infections that cause fevers. Fever “breaks” can happen when the body is trying to naturally cool itself down after a fever. A fever break could be the trigger of cold sweats.

Menopause:
During menopause and perimenopause, women experience a number of hormonal imbalances that trigger various phenomena. Although menopause is most commonly associated with hot flashes, hormonal imbalances can also cause the onset of cold sweats as changes in various hormone levels are likely to cause the body to being cold sweating. If your sleep is affected by symptoms of menopause, check out our article about how BedJet is a Clinically Proven Treatment for Menopausal Sleep Disturbances.

Hypotension:
Hypotension occurs when blood pressure drops to a concerning level. It is however, common for blood pressure to be lower while we are sleeping, but this disorder can be dangerous if not enough oxygen is being transported to the organs. One of the major causes of cold sweats is a lack of even distribution of blood and oxygen throughout the body, making hypotension a contributor to cold sweats during the night.

Hyperhidrosis:
Hyperhidrosis is a condition that is classified by excessive sweating in localized or generalized areas due to an overreaction to stimuli by the sweat glands. The most common areas affected by hyperhidrosis are the face, underarms, palms, and feet, though other areas can experience the same kind of excessive sweating. Sweating does not have to be the result of a rise in body temperature, which means those living with Hyperhidrosis can often experience cold sweats.

Hypoglycemia:
Those with hypoglycemia experience drops in their blood sugar levels which can have other effects on the body. As such, the body responds to a drop in blood sugar levels similarly to a drop in oxygen levels, which can prompt the onset of cold sweats.

Although many of these conditions can trigger the onset of cold sweats during sleep, it there is a way to keep more comfortable. BedJet, a forced-air climate control device for beds can deliver heating or cooling air into bed to maintain an ideal temperature overnight. Many who have found themselves waking up uncomfortable in the middle of the night have turned to BedJet and found the rest they’ve been looking for. BedJet uses the convective evaporative method of cooling which is really effective for keeping you cool in bed if your bedroom temperature is 78 degrees and under. It’s designed to get rid of the main reason you’re feeling hot and stuffy in bed: body heat and moisture. You can sweat up to a liter every night without realizing - and your mattress and sheets trap that heat and moisture in! Our engineers have measured up to a 20% humidity rise trapped under the sheets. BedJet is designed to wick away that humidity and moisture within the bed itself, eliminating discomfort from sweating. The BedJet has allowed sleepers to find more control over their sleep environment and wake up less frequently due to excessive sweating and discomfort. While many of the causes of cold sweats are out of our locus of control, the discomfort caused by them can be kept at bay with the use of the BedJet.

It is important to note, however, that although BedJet can assist in relieving the symptoms of cold sweats, their causes could potentially be serious. It is important to speak with a medical professional if cold sweats persist throughout the night to ensure proper health.

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