Night sweats can be very discomforting. But how does GERD cause night sweats, and how can you manage night sweats caused by GERDs? Read on to find out.
Waking up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat can be very unpleasant, especially if it happens on a regular basis. It can disrupt sleep and make you cranky, especially if you repeatedly change bedding.
There are several reasons you might wake up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat, one of which includes gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
This article will explore the relationship between GERD and night sweats, how to treat night sweats caused by GERD, other causes of night sweats, and when to contact your doctor.
GERD is short for gastroesophageal reflux disease. It occurs when stomach acid moves back into the esophagus (a tube that connects your mouth and stomach). This acid reflux can irritate the lining of your esophagus and lead to heartburn and other symptoms.
Having acid refluxes once in a while is pretty normal; however, if it occurs more than twice in a week, then a doctor may diagnose GERD.
Similar to sleep apnea, GERD may also be linked to night sweats. But currently, very limited evidence exists to explain how GERD can cause night sweats. Most of the information is based on doctors who observe this symptom in their patients with GERD.
However, some researchers believe acid reflux may trigger the autonomic nervous system leading to increased heart rate. This increased heart rate may lead to excessive sweating because as the heart rate increases, the body tries to dissipate heat, and sweating is one way the body does so.
In people with GERD, sweating is usually worse at night due to increased acid reflux. This is because when you lie down, there is an easier flow of acid back to the esophagus because there's no gravity available to keep the acid down.
Night sweats can be very uncomfortable, especially if they occur regularly and interrupt sleep. If you have night sweats regularly, in addition to other diagnostic features of GERD, then your doctor might recommend treating the underlying cause. Some common medications that your doctor may prescribe include:
Aside from medication, you can also take certain steps to help improve the quality of your sleep if you have night sweats. Some of these include:
No, not really. It is normal to experience night sweats occasionally, and they are often nothing to worry about. Night sweats may be due to physical activity or maybe fever.
However, if night sweats persist and disrupt your sleep regularly, it could be a sign of an underlying medical condition, and it is time to check in with your doctor. Your doctor will perform a diagnostic test to rule out any underlying condition.
In addition to GERD, other causes of night sweat may include:
In addition to night sweats, other common symptoms you may experience if you have GERD include:
Keep in mind that it is quite common to experience occasional acid reflux, especially after eating a large meal or lying down immediately after eating.
However, if this reflux becomes recurrent, you need to contact a doctor because GERD, when left untreated, can lead to serious complications such as esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus), which can cause gastrointestinal bleeding; respiratory problems like chest congestion; or Barrett's esophagus, which is a risk factor for esophageal cancer.