Why is body overheating at night? Tips to avoid the problem and heatstroke

Heat triggers a series of processes in our body that pose a health risk. You even wake up so soaked that it seems like you just got out of the shower, does it sound familiar and you don’t know why your body overheating at night?  During the night, your body becomes heated that may hinder rest and this may be because of external factors such as anxiety that many citizens are living because of the crisis of the coronavirus.

Reasons for body overheating at night

If you sleep in an environment that is too cold or, on the contrary, too hot. When you sleep, the internal temperature of the body down to their level is slow usually about four hours after test s starting to sleep, it’s why if you wake up at midnight sweating, something is wrong.

What temperature does the room have to be?

It is recommended that the bedroom temperature does not exceed 21 degrees Celsius. Many people keep their houses, and particularly their bedrooms, too warm. Studies show that the optimal temperature for sleeping is relatively low, between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius.

Experts believe that a colder room makes it easier to sleep, strange as it may sound closer to the natural temperature of the body.

But whether due to the temperature of the room, the humidity or the bedding we use, it is common for you to undergo temperature changes during the night and you may be cold or even wake up sweating.

Why does body overheating at night?

Your body can modify its temperature according to the environment in which it is. This serves to keep your system at a stable and healthy level and allows you a good night’s sleep.

All people, on average, have a body temperature between 36.3 ° and 37.1 ° in a healthy state, if it exceeds that figure, you already know that what you will have is a fever.

 During the day, you will be in different areas where the temperature varies in the environment, and with it, yours will also change. For example, in a warm climate, the body works to cool itself and vice versa.

Why does your temperature rise while you sleep?

The body experiences changes in body temperature when sleeping, causing the most significant drop to be in the NREM stage.

The thermoregulation mechanisms are unstable compared to when you are awake, that is, while you sleep, you have a more comfortable temperature. That is why, if you sleep soundly, you will be a little colder.

During the REM phase, your body temperature will adjust to room temperature. Therefore, if your resting place has extreme weather, it is more likely that your sleep will be interrupted and you will wake up sweating like a chicken, as your body constantly tries to adjust.

The mattress also influences

It can influence these changes. To reduce the effects of temperature changes, use a wide range of thermoregulatory products to avoid those night sweats, both mattresses and mattress covers, pillows and protective covers.

Tips for avoid body overheating at night

Some tips to fight the heat and not suffer the effects described above:

• Hydrate, with soft drinks and fresh and raw food.
• Pay attention to the elderly, children, pregnant women, people with diseases that can aggravate with heat such as respiratory or heart diseases.
• Use light clothing, with light and breathable colors.
• Exercise best at the beginning or end of the day.
• Do not leave anyone inside a closed and stationary vehicle, neither people nor animals.
• Protect yourself from the sun with glasses, hat and sunscreen.
• Find out about heat weather warnings and listen to what local health and civil protection bodies say.

Heatstroke: the most serious consequence

The most serious effect that a high-temperature event can cause is to suffer from a very dangerous heat stroke. It is no coincidence that heatwaves are more deadly than cold ones.

The increase in body temperature above 40° C due to heat, or due to excessive physical exertion, will cause the thermoregulatory mechanisms not to work. This situation will have the consequence that sweating stops. We will have difficulty breathing. Heart rate will increase, we will have confusion, dizziness, fainting, kidney failure. Faced with such a situation, medical attention should be sought immediately. In the meantime, we can drink water in small sips, take refuge in a cool place and apply moist compresses to the body.