How common are night sweats in obstructive sleep apnoea?

Obstructive sleep apnoea happens when the upper airway repeatedly narrows or closes during sleep. The resulting effort to breathe and brief awakenings can activate the body’s stress response, with sweating in some people. Loud snoring, witnessed pauses, gasping, morning headaches, dry mouth and daytime sleepiness may provide more useful context.

Night sweats also occur with a warm bedroom, alcohol, medicines, infections, hormonal changes and other sleep problems. A person may have night sweats without having sleep apnoea, so the symptom should be interpreted with the rest of the sleep history.

Ask a sleep partner whether they notice snoring, breathing pauses or choking sounds. Note morning symptoms, daytime drowsiness and how often sweating disturbs sleep. Arrange a clinical review if these features recur, especially if sleepiness affects driving or work. A clinician may assess your airway and recommend a sleep study when the pattern suggests disrupted breathing.

Get urgent help for severe breathing difficulty while awake, chest pain, fainting or confusion. Seek prompt medical advice if you repeatedly wake choking, feel dangerously sleepy during routine activities, or someone observes prolonged breathing pauses. Do not drive when you are struggling to stay awake.

Ask whether your symptoms warrant a sleep assessment, what information a partner should record, and how to reduce safety risks from daytime drowsiness. Discuss alcohol, sedatives and nasal blockage if they may be affecting sleep or breathing.