Waking up soaking wet in the middle of the night could be a red flag for serious health conditions, according to ITV regular Dr Amir Khan. While a single sweaty night may be harmless, especially during hot weather, persistent night sweats paired with other symptoms should prompt a visit to the GP.
Five causes of drenching night sweats
Dr Amir Khan, known for his appearances on Good Morning Britain and Lorraine, shared on social media that night sweats are a symptom people should never ignore. He outlined five important causes, starting with hormonal changes during menopause or perimenopause. "Hormonal changes around the menopause confuse the brain's temperature control, cue the infamous hot flushes and night sweats," he said. He advised speaking to a GP if night sweats affect sleep or mood, as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or lifestyle changes may help.
Infections and cancer
Aside from natural life changes, night sweats can indicate serious infections such as tuberculosis, HIV, or bacterial infections in the heart. Dr Khan said associated symptoms like fever, weight loss, or fatigue should raise concern. Some cancers, particularly lymphoma, can present as drenching sweats. "It's rare, but never ignore it, especially if it's combined with weight loss or swollen glands," he added.
Sleep apnea and other conditions
A "sneaky" cause is sleep apnea, where the airway temporarily blocks during sleep. Dr Khan explained: "When your airway temporarily blocks during sleep, your body struggles for air, stress, hormone surge, your heart races, and you wake up hot and drenched without even realising why." He urged people who snore, wake up exhausted, or have a partner who notices pauses in breathing to ask their GP about assessment, noting that obstructive sleep apnea is common and treatable.
Blood sugar or thyroid problems can also cause night sweats, especially in people with diabetes, particularly if accompanied by trembling, weight change, or a racing heart.
When to see a GP
The NHS website states that it is normal to sweat at night if the room or bedding is too hot, as the body tries to cool down. However, it advises seeing a GP if night sweats occur regularly, wake you up, or cause worry.
