Night sweats

Anna Stanbaugh

I started getting night sweats couple weeks ago. I wake up 3-4 times each night hot and sweating like crazy. It last 5-10 min and then I get cold. I'm pretty sure it's not hormones - I had that checked couple month ago. I also remember having the same issue last summer. Is it related to exercising? Is there anything I can do to avoid it? I tried finding an answer online, but there are so many different theories...

Nemo Brauch

I don't have a solution but I can offer comfort in the form of companionship! I find it generally hits me mostly whenI have really big training days (like camp weeks or race rehearsals). I wake up completely soaked from sweating. Really gross. I keep a little insulated lunch bag of ice packs next to the bed to put under my pillow when the sweats hit and that seems to at least give me some comfort.

Danielle Santucci

Anna, I had the same thing happen to me a few years ago and I started an elimination process within my diet and come to find out it was the red wine I was drinking at night. I started avoiding wine during the peak training weeks leading up to a race and viola...gone. If I do slip and have a glass, I make sure to drink a gallon of water with it to flush the system. I never had this issue until I started training for an Ironman and was convinced I was going through early menopause at age 40....because it just couldnt be my beloved Cabernet

Anna Stanbaugh

Daniele, I'm pretty sure it's not the red wine for me. I haven't been drinking enough of it lately. :-) But I guess I can try eliminating other stuff.I don't think I had any changes in my diet recently. hmmm.

Congrats on the great finish last Sunday!

Francis Picard

my wife had the same issue and she completly cut the acohol and it all stopped.. funny thing is that it only happens with white wine and not the red.

jfields74

For me it seemed to be that I was too negative in calories for the day. I was super focused on obtaining my race weight but I just wasn't tracking intake vs what I burned each day. Some nights I would have to change the sheets in the middle of the night because everything was soaked.

Satish Punna

First, night sweats can be a sign of something serious.  I don't want to scare you but make sure you are checked by your physician.

Most likely your blood sugar is crashing at night.  Try to have something with a bit of fat and protein (yogurt, smoothie) before bed.  Doeasn't have to be a lot (200 KCal) and it should smooth things out through the night.  

Nemo Brauch

Most likely your blood sugar is crashing at night.

Thanks Satish- that makes some sense to me as it connects with the "big training days" I experience as well.

Anna Stanbaugh

Thanks guys! I guess I will have to try different things and see if any of it works...

Trish Marshall

UGH! I'd take some magnesium at bed too. I use a product called Calm. We deplete that during training, it helps relax for bed and I tend to sleep a bit better.

Definitely watch the booze and caffein. Those were both big triggers for me for flashes. Good luck Summit!