Does obstructive sleep apnoea cause night sweats?

Breathing interruptions can cause brief arousals and trigger the body's stress response during sleep. Some people notice sweating, a racing heartbeat, restless sleep, snoring, or waking gasping. The symptom may be more apparent to a bed partner or after waking with damp sleepwear or bedding.

Night sweats are not specific to obstructive sleep apnoea. A warm room, heavy bedding, alcohol, medicines, hormonal changes, infections, anxiety, and other medical conditions can also contribute.

Record how often sweating occurs, whether you need to change clothes or bedding, room temperature, alcohol intake, fever, weight change, medicines, and sleep symptoms. Tell a clinician if anyone has heard loud snoring or observed pauses in your breathing; they can decide whether sleep assessment or other tests are appropriate.

Keep the bedroom comfortably cool and use breathable bedding if it helps, but do not let practical measures delay assessment of persistent or troubling symptoms.

Arrange a medical review for recurrent drenching sweats, or sweats with fever, unexplained weight loss, swollen glands, ongoing cough, or worsening fatigue. Seek urgent help for severe shortness of breath, chest pain, fainting, or confusion.

Ask whether your night sweats fit with a sleep-breathing problem, which other causes should be considered, and whether a sleep study is suitable. Bring a list of medicines, supplements, and associated symptoms.