Why Am I Shivering or Sweating at Night?

Causes of Shivering at Night

If the temperature in your bedroom is too cold, or if you aren’t covered by enough clothing or blankets, you may wake up shivering during the night. Other possible causes include:

• Infection: Fevers are the consequence of an immune system reaction to an infection, including bacterial and viral infections. Chills Trusted Source Medline Plus MedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends. View Source are often associated with fever, and are due to muscle contraction and relaxation, which raises the body’s core temperature.
• Menopause: Menopause is when a woman stops menstruating permanently. The transition to menopause involves hormonal changes that often cause symptoms, including cold chills Trusted Source Office on Women's Health (OWH) OWH coordinates women's health efforts across HHS and addresses critical women's health issues by informing and advancing policies, educating health care professionals and consumers, and supporting innovative programs. View Source , which may happen on their own or may occur after a hot flash.
• General anesthesia: General anesthesia is used to put patients to sleep during surgery so that they do not feel pain. Shivers after general anesthesia have been reported in anywhere from 20 to 70% of patients Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source , and are often due to low body temperature.
• Drug withdrawal: Withdrawal symptoms can occur when stopping or reducing use of a drug. Cold flashes with goosebumps are a possible symptom of prescription opioid withdrawal Trusted Source National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) NIDA is the lead federal agency supporting scientific research on drug use and its consequences. View Source .

Causes of Sweating at Night

Sleeping in a bedroom that is too warm, wearing too many layers, or covering yourself with too much bedding can cause you to sweat at night. There are a number of other potential causes of night sweats:

• Infection: Bacterial and viral infections often cause fevers, and sweating frequently occurs with a fever.
• Menopause: The most common symptom of menopause is hot flashes, which can occur at night and cause night sweats. In the premenopausal state, hormonal fluctuations during certain periods of the menstrual cycle can also lead to night sweats.
• Medications: Some drugs Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source increase sweating as a side effect, including certain antidepressants, opioids, and cancer treatment drugs. Also, withdrawal from drugs, such as opioids Trusted Source Medline Plus MedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends. View Source , can cause sweating.
• Obstructive sleep apnea: A research study found that up to one-third Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source of individuals with obstructive sleep apnea experience frequent night sweats. An association between other sleep-related disorders (such as RLS) and night sweats has also been suggested.
• Alcohol: Higher alcohol use Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source has been correlated with night and day sweating. Additionally, sweating is a known symptom of alcohol withdrawal Trusted Source Merck Manual First published in 1899 as a small reference book for physicians and pharmacists, the Manual grew in size and scope to become one of the most widely used comprehensive medical resources for professionals and consumers. View Source .
• Anxiety: Research suggests that panic attacks may be associated with night sweats.

Other causes of night sweats include cancer Trusted Source National Cancer Institute (NCI) The NCI is the federal government's principal agency for cancer research and training. View Source , acid reflux Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source , hyperthyroidism Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source obesity, low blood sugar, and other infections, such as tuberculosis and HIV.

How To Stop or Reduce Shivering and Sweating While Asleep

For people who have a known cause of their nighttime shivering or sweating, the treatment should focus on the underlying condition. If you are unsure of the cause of your nighttime shivers or sweats, try taking the following steps to see if they help.

• Adjust your bedroom temperature: Evidence suggests that the optimal room temperature for sleep is around 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Each person’s temperature needs are different, though, so it could help to see whether increasing or decreasing the temperature of your room helps relieve your nighttime shivering or sweating. Also consider whether you have the best mattress and bedding for temperature regulation, as these are things that can impact body temperature throughout the night.
• Experiment with layers: If you are shivering at night, try adding more layers of clothing, including socks, or blankets. If you are sweating, remove layers and wear loose, breathable clothing to bed.
• Use a fan or heat pack: Placing a fan in your bedroom can help cool you off, while bringing a hot water bottle or heating pad with you to bed can keep you warm.
• Check for fever: Take your temperature, and if you find that you have a fever, you may have an infection. Drink fluids and rest at home. A sponge bath with lukewarm water may help relieve fever symptoms. Fever-reducing medications are also available over the counter.

Is This Dangerous? When Should You See a Doctor?

In most cases, nighttime shivering or sweating is not dangerous and is not cause for alarm. If your symptoms occur often or do not resolve with changes in your bedroom temperature and bedding, it’s a good idea to speak with your doctor. Your doctor will collect information from you about the frequency and severity of your shivering or sweating, along with other related symptoms. Your doctor may also recommend diagnostic testing to diagnose or rule out an underlying condition.

If you have chills and night sweats due to a fever, make sure to speak with a doctor if your temperature reaches 103 degrees Fahrenheit, if you have a fever lasting longer than three days, or the fever is associated with symptoms such as headache, stiff neck, chest pain, rash, or severe throat swelling.

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