Night sweats refers to excessive sweating that some people experience at night while they are sleeping. This is something experienced by both men and women of all ages. What are the causes of night sweats? Most often, it is caused by fever. Sometimes, it is also caused by an illness, menopause or medications. But typically, it is caused by duvets that are not appropriate for the climate or room temperature.
What Are Night Sweats?
If you feel that your body is sweating excessively during sleep, then you are suffering from night sweats. If night sweats are caused by extreme heat, then you can alleviate them by switching to a lighter duvet. Night sweats can happen unexpectedly and you find your sheets are soaked with moisture in just a short period. Sometimes this is a symptom of some medical condition, although not all people who experience night sweats are suffering from medical issues.
Night sweats can be very frustrating. However, there are ways to get a good night’s sleep despite having night sweats. You can buy a cooling pad, use linen sheets or put a cooler in your room. However, the easier and quicker solution that won’t cost you a lot is to simply change your duvet. Perhaps, your sweating is caused by the duvet that you are currently using. The best duvets for night sweats should be breathable and great at wicking away sweat.
How to Find the Right Duvet to Stop Night Sweats
Night sweats can disturb your sleep and may cause fatigue and tiredness throughout the day. If you suffer from overheating at night, then you are aware that it can be very unpleasant to wake up with sweat all over your body. If you sweat a lot when you sleep, then perhaps you are using an incorrect duvet or pillow.
If you are experiencing night sweats or hot flushes, then you need a breathable duvet that can minimise the moisture from your sweat. Generally, there are two main types of duvet filling: a natural filling and a synthetic alternative.
Duvets which use natural fillings such as goose or duck down are breathable and can decrease the moisture stuck in the bedding. On the other hand, duvets which have synthetic fillings are less breathable. This can trap more moisture in the bedding, making your night sweats even worse.
Which Duvet Fillings Are Best for Night Sweats?
A natural filled duvet can greatly help in regulating your body temperature. So, if you are suffering from hot sweats at night or you are naturally a warm sleeper, then you can sleep comfortably with a natural filled duvet. You could also consider using a goose feather and down duvet. This can keep you cooler at night while providing the feeling of a feather and down duvet.
Goose Feather and Down Duvet
A goose feather and down duvet is a mid-priced duvet. It is not as costly as a 100% goose-down duvet. However, don’t be deceived by retailers who are falsely claiming to sell goose feather and down duvets. They will claim that their duvets include a certain percentage of down but that is not true. They will only include a small amount of down and then label their product as a Hungarian or Siberian down duvet. To make sure that you are buying a genuine goose feather and down duvet, you have to look for a reliable retailer.
Goose feather and goose down are not the same. Goose feather is a bit heavier than goose down. But weight is not a major concern. The most important thing is that goose down can insulate more, compared to goose feather. But then you also have to think about the price difference.
Duvets filled with goose or duck down are more breathable and can minimise the moisture trapped in the bedding. Goose-down duvets provide more air circulation compared to synthetic fillings.
What is the Appropriate Duvet Tog Rating for Night Sweats?
The duvet tog rating should match the season. Keep in mind that the higher the duvet tog rating, the more warmth it provides. Hence, if you are experiencing night sweats, then you need a duvet with a lower tog rating, which is between 4.5 and 9. It has the right warmth that can help you sleep better. A duvet with a tog rating of 4.5 is also best for summer. For spring and autumn, you need a duvet with a 9 tog rating. For the winter, get yourself a 13.5 tog duvet by combining your 4.5 and 9 tog duvets.
What Are the Best Sheets for Night Sweats?
To keep you cool at night, you need to combine your natural down duvets with 100% cotton sheets. Cotton can help in regulating temperature and absorbing sweat. So, to have the best bedding, you have to use pillowcases, sheets and duvet covers that are made of 100% cotton.
How to Manage Moisture
One of the factors that contributes to night sweating is the ventilation capacity of your duvet. There are specific fillings that can provide better ventilation than others. Duvets with down or wool fillings can help in fighting night sweats. They tend to be more breathable than synthetic fillings. Also, synthetic alternatives have poor ventilation and can cause you to overheat at night and sweat more.
For more breathability, you can choose a duvet cover that provides you with good ventilation. Your duvet covers must be made of 100% cotton. These are also softer on the skin compared to the cheaper ones.
The same principle should also be applied when it comes to pillowcases. Cotton is tightly woven, yet it is extremely breathable, making it effective for eliminating moisture trapped in your duvet. Also, it is greatly recommended that you air out your duvets and pillows more often. When not in use, you must store your duvets and pillows in a well-ventilated area. Avoid using plastic bags since they can affect the ventilation and moisture management of duvets.
So, if you want to have a comfortable sleep, then you should look for a lighter, breathable duvet that can make you feel well-rested.