Why do I sweat so much at night?

Lucy Gornall finds out why many of us perspire in bed... and it could be anything from your dinner to thyroid issues or even cancer

- Lucy Gornall

Ever woken up in a sweat? Some nights, you might feel as though you're sleeping in a sauna, with your sheets soaked in perspiration leaving you very uncomfortable as well as worried.

And there are several possible triggers for night sweats.

Some are easily addressed while others might need medical attention.

"The odd sweaty night, particularly during summer, shouldn't raise alarms," says Dr Martin Thornton, Chief Medical Officer for private healthcare firm Bluecrest.

"But if you find you are regularly waking with drenched sheets for more than a few weeks, it's time to speak up.

"Keep a log of what you ate, drank and other symptoms you experienced alongside sweating, to help a healthcare professional work with you to tackle the root causes."

And if night sweats are bothering you, then one of the following could be to blame...

DIET

Your dinner might be the reason you're waking up in a sweat.

"Spicy foods can trigger a rise in body temperature and activate your sweat glands," says Dr Thornton.

"Digestion raises your core temperature too, so heavy meals close to bedtime could increase sweating."

Aim to eat your last meal of the day at least two hours before hitting the pillow to give your body the best chance at digesting your food properly and preventing you from overheating.

It's also bad news for anyone who enjoys a nightcap.

YOUR BEDDING

Still got your winter duvet on as summer looms?