Bedfan Sleep Blog

Approximately one in every one-hundred people in the United States has hyperthyroidism. This condition presents with several troublesome symptoms, one of which is night sweats. Hyperthyroidism is defined as a condition in which the thyroid gland, located in the front of your throat, is overactive and produces more hormones than needed. The thyroid gland is primarily responsible for two hormones: thyroxine and triiodothyronine. These two hormones are responsible for a variety of your different bodily functions, including: The speed at which your heart beats How deep of a breath you can take Your body’s internal temperature Your metabolism Whether you lose or gain weight The thyroid plays a significant role in the body, so it is no surprise that when there is an issue with it (such as hyperthyroidism), there are a variety of very different symptoms. Some of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism are as follows: Hyperthyroidism predominantly affects the nervous system and sends it into overdrive. Thus it should be no surprise that there are a lot of sleep-related issues with hyperthyroidism. These issues can result in insomnia, which is defined as persistent trouble falling asleep. In addition, an overactive thyroid will cause night sweats because the body becomes less tolerant to heat and therefore it begins to sweat excessively, which makes it much harder to stay asleep. Another symptom, which is generally a secondary symptom of insomnia, is muscle weakness and fatigue. This is because not getting enough sleep decreases muscle protein synthesis, which can cause muscle weakness over time. Shakiness and hand tremors are common symptoms of hyperthyroidism because of the way the nervous system is affected. However, involuntary movements in your hands or arms should be a cause for concern no matter what and could be a sign of hyperthyroidism or other issues. Changes in appetite and a loss of weight can also frequently occur with hyperthyroidism. This is because hyperthyroidism over-releases the hormone, decreasing appetite, and food intake, making the body often underweight. An irregular heartbeat and heart palpitations can also occur due to the thyroid’s direct effect on your heart. There are also a number of lung issues that can be caused by hyperthyroidism. Hyperventilation can occur, which causes the body to take too many shallow breaths and deprives the body of the proper amount of carbon dioxide, leading to lightheadedness and the aforementioned irregularly fast heartbeat. As with any health concerns, if you suspect that you might be suffering from hyperthyroidism, it is important to contact your doctor with your concerns. Only proper medical treatment can truly offer relief from the myriad symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Therefore, this article should not be used as a diagnostic tool but as an educational resource. One symptom that can be addressed is night sweats. We know just how tough night sweats can be to deal with, which is why we invented the BedFan. Our fan works uniquely by addressing the issue of overheating by blowing under the covers and over the body. This provides significantly better relief from hyperthyroidism's drenching night sweats at a much cheaper cost than other alternatives— especially during the summer when air conditioning costs are at an all-time high!

The causes of sweats that smell like vinegar were discussed in a prior blog post (Night Sweats Smell Like Vinegar); however, that post focused on diseases that cause the condition. That leaves a lot of things unaddressed, such as other things that can be responsible for the condition and how it can be dealt with. Of course, as with any health issue, you should consult your doctor about any health concerns you have. If you struggle with sweat that smells and feel self-conscious about it, there are some guidelines that can be followed to reduce the smell. Avoiding eating spicy food at night can help reduce odorful night sweating. Spicy food causes the body to sweat more because the chemical in spicy food, capsaicin, tricks the brain into thinking the internal body temperature is rising. In response to the body believing the temperature is rising, it activates the sweat glands in order to cool the body down. This high increase in sweat production will worsen the issue for those dealing with odorful sweat. The spicy foods which cause the worst reactions are spicy curry, hot wings, peppers, jalapenos, and wasabi. Food with a lot of general spices such as curry, garlic, and cumin also cause the body to create compounds that react with sweat and cause strong odors. In the case of night sweats, which is defined as excessive sweating occurring at night, the most important thing you can do to reduce sweating is to keep your body cool. You can keep your body cool at night in various ways, from lighter comforters and sheets to different fans. However, dropping the A/C temperature can be expensive, especially during the summer. This is why addressing the comforter and sheets situation first is essential. Swapping your usual comforter for a lighter one, such as a quilt, and using breathable sheets like linen or cotton can help cool you down while sleeping for a pretty low price. The BedFan is also highly effective at cooling the body while you sleep as it blows air directly over you. There is also a lot that can be done regarding hygiene that can help reduce the intensity of the smell of night sweats. For example, frequent washing, especially in the morning after sleeping, can eliminate the odor-causing sweat that accumulates overnight. Washing up before bed also helps to prevent vinegar-smelling night sweats by washing away bacteria already present on the body so that it will not mix with sweat overnight. Washing up with antibacterial soap, whether at night or in the morning, should also be followed up with an application of deodorant. Applying deodorant prior to bed can effectively reduce the intensity of the night sweat smell. This is because deodorant acts as a barrier between the body’s sweat glands and the bacteria on the skin, which reduces the chances of a reaction occurring and causing a strong smell. It should also be noted that if any other concerning symptoms are occurring along with vinegar-smelling sweats, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible. 

Diarrhea and night sweats can be symptomatic of a variety of different conditions. They usually are indicative of an issue within the stomach. However, regardless of what you suspect the issue to be, your first move should be to contact your doctor with your concerns. This article should only be used for educating yourself and not for diagnosis. Diarrhea occurs when you’re sick as the body’s way of quickly clearing the digestive tract of bacteria, toxins, or viruses. Clearing out the gut in this manner helps prevent worse infections. Night sweats are often a secondary type of symptom which occur due to a fever. The fever begins as the body’s way of fighting off whatever is behind the issue (virus, bacteria, etc.). Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is one of the leading causes of these two symptoms. IBD is a gastrointestinal disorder with symptoms such as abdominal cramping, bloating, increased gas, constipation, food intolerance, and diarrhea. In addition, IBD flareups can cause a fever, which in turn causes night sweats to occur. IBD is, in short, chronic inflammation of the stomach tissues. There are also different types of IBD, namely Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Crohn’s disease is defined as being a type of IBD in which the lining of the digestive tract, especially the deeper layers, are inflamed. It mainly affects the small intestine but can also affect the large intestine and occasionally the upper gastrointestinal tract. Ulcerative colitis consists of sores developing throughout the colon’s lining (large intestine) and the rectum.  Traveler’s diarrhea occurs when someone travels and consumes contaminated food or water and can cause diarrhea and night sweats. This contamination can come from several different types of bacteria, such as campylobacter, shigella, jejuni, or salmonella, but around 70% of the time occurs due to enterotoxigenic E. coli. In addition, certain viruses can also cause traveler’s diarrhea, such as norovirus and rotavirus. Finally, a parasite called giardia lamblia can also cause the symptoms of traveler’s diarrhea. Gastroenteritis is one of the most common causes of the symptoms of diarrhea and night sweats. In truth, the term gastroenteritis covers a variety of different causes of the stomach illness, similar to traveler’s diarrhea. There are various bacterial causes and parasitic causes behind gastroenteritis. Still, the most common cause in the United States is norovirus. Food poisoning is another frequent cause of diarrhea and night sweats. Food poisoning is similar to traveler’s diarrhea, as it occurs when contaminated, spoiled, or toxic food is eaten. Organisms that cause food poisoning can be introduced to food during any stage of processing and fairly often occur after eating at a restaurant where food has not been adequately prepared or cooked. However, food poisoning can also happen at home if the food is not handled correctly. Meat, eggs, and dairy are the most commonly contaminated food, which is why handling high-risk foods properly, whether at home or in a work environment, is essential. To reiterate it once again, please be sure to contact your doctor if you have any health concerns. 

Sweat odor can vary widely and is influenced by factors such as diet, genetics, stress, and medical conditions. While most sweat is produced by scentless eccrine glands, apocrine glands in areas like the armpits and groin can create stronger odors when sweat mixes with bacteria. Certain foods, hormonal changes, and excessive sweating can intensify body odor. Medical conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, hyperhidrosis, and rare genetic disorders can cause sweat to smell like vinegar or other unusual scents. Persistent changes in sweat odor, especially when accompanied by other symptoms, should be evaluated by a healthcare professional to rule out underlying health issues. Maintaining good hygiene, managing stress, and using appropriate deodorants can help control sweat odor.

At some point, you’ve probably found yourself wide awake in bed, unable to sleep, with your thoughts running a mile a minute and being unable to shake the feeling of stress. Unfortunately, this situation is all too common, and stress is one of the most significant factors in experiences of sleeplessness. Sleep-preventing stress can result from various things, from work or finances for adults to school and important assignments for teenagers. When stress begins to interrupt sleep, it can cause further disruption within everyday life. Failing to reach the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep can cause a variety of issues, such as memory and your ability to learn. Furthermore, the stress system is triggered when the body does not get enough sleep, which spikes stress levels even more, eventually causing a continuous cycle. That’s a lot to unpack! So how can you reduce your levels of stress in order to avoid the vicious cycle of stress and sleep loss? Exercise is widely used as a tool to help both the body and the mind. Exercise has great psychological effects, including alleviating stress and anxiety. This is because exercising releases dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin, which all promote a feeling of happiness by dampening pain and depression. Exercise also reduces the production of the hormones cortisol and adrenalin, which are stress-related hormones. In addition, evidence has found that adding physical exercise into your everyday routine vastly improves sleep quality in those who struggle with sleep disorders. Exercise can be added to your daily routine in several different ways. For example, if you enjoy going to the gym, you could head to the gym (and maybe grab a gym partner on the way!) and run on the treadmill for a good thirty minutes. This is considered to be a moderate to high physical activity, which is especially helpful in reducing stress and promoting sleep. However, if you’re looking for something more reasonable, you can opt to walk instead of drive when given a chance! You can also take the stairs instead of the elevator to really get your muscles burning and your heart pumping. As you get closer to bedtime, such as in the evening, you should engage in relaxing activities. Taking some time to engage in mindfulness meditation has been shown to benefit those struggling with stress greatly. The mindfulness session can last anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes and can lead to improvements in depression, stress, and anxiety. Taking a bath close to bedtime is also a very relaxing activity that can help reduce stress and promote sleepiness. Once you finally get to bed, there are more practices you can follow to help quiet your brain so that you can finally sleep. First, stay off electronics so that the blue light from your devices does not interfere with your body’s sleep/wake cycle. From there, play relaxing music or your choice of sleep sounds. While doing so, begin working on slow breathing exercises and let your muscles fully relax. You can find many guides online to walk you through how to perform slow breathing exercises and muscle relaxation properly. Both exercises are beneficial in lulling yourself to sleep, so do take the time to read up on them! 

Covid-19 can present itself with many symptoms, such as night sweats, that vary from person to person. To make matters even more complicated, it has multiple variants that present with slightly different symptoms.      Covid-19 generally presents with the following symptoms: Fever or chills Difficulty breathing Cough Headache Diarrhea Loss of taste or smell Fatigue Body aches Nausea or vomiting Sore throat     The Delta variant of Covid-19 presents with: Fever Runny nose Headache Sore throat The Omicron variant of Covid-19 presents with: Fever Body pain Sneezing Sore throat Dry cough Headache Fatigue Night Sweats The symptoms that show with the different variants of Covid-19 are very similar. In addition, flu symptoms are also highly similar to those of Covid-19. Therefore, the only way to verify if the illness causing these symptoms is Covid-19 is to take a covid test. However, night sweats do not only occur with acute Covid-19; they can also happen with post-acute Covid-19.  Post-acute Covid-19, also known as long covid, is the presence of covid symptoms over 12 weeks before the occurrence of covid. Between 10% and 30% of people who contract covid will experience long covid, and there is no correlation between the severity of acute covid and the likelihood of developing long covid. The common symptoms of long covid are headaches, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, difficulty sleeping, fever, anxiety, depression, chest pain, rapid pulse, and night sweats. Those suffering long covid often have a lot of trouble with sleeping, called covid insomnia. They often report having trouble with both falling asleep and staying asleep. Covid insomnia occurs due to poor sleep quality, sleep/wake schedule disturbances, and insomnia. Night sweats also contribute to the poor sleep quality in those suffering from long covid.  The best way to combat night sweats in those suffering from both acute Covid-19 and post-acute Covid-19 is to develop good sleep hygiene. Good sleep hygiene consists of both a good bedroom environment and sleep-promoting routines. In addition, having good sleep hygiene is beneficial for mental and physical health, which makes sleep hygiene a central part of good health. Both children and adults can benefit from good sleep hygiene. Sleep-promoting routines should have a solid bedtime and a set wake-up time, allowing your body to get into a rhythm. There should also be a thirty-minute period before bedtime devoted to relaxation. This period should ideally be device free so that there is no exposure to blue light or distractions. Relaxing music, stretching, reading, and having a warm tea (especially chamomile or lavender) are all relaxing activities to engage in before bed.  A good bedroom environment prioritizes comfort. Investing in a comfortable mattress and pillows is essential to creating the perfect bedroom environment. A good mattress is a crucial part of a sleep-promoting bedroom. The bedroom temperature should be cool, ideally around 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Especially for someone struggling with night sweats, fans are great for increased comfort. The Bedfan is especially great for those struggling with night sweats, as it blows air directly over the body. 

This article explores the connection between night sweats and coughing, highlighting that these symptoms often occur together due to respiratory infections or chronic conditions such as the common cold, pneumonia, acute bronchitis, and emphysema. It explains how night sweats result from the body’s response to infection and emphasizes the importance of monitoring symptoms, as persistent or worsening issues may signal serious illnesses like pneumonia or COPD. The article also provides guidance on when to seek medical advice and discusses practical solutions for managing night sweats, such as using the Bedfan to improve sleep comfort. Overall, it encourages individuals to be vigilant about their symptoms and seek timely medical care when needed.

Night sweats and itchy skin without having a rash are two symptoms that are commonly associated with lymphoma. Night sweats are defined as excessive sweating which occurs at night, especially while sleeping. This sweating can result in soaked bed sheets and night clothes and occurs without outside influence from things like too many blankets or hot weather. Itchy skin is pretty straightforward as far as symptoms go.      Lymphoma is cancer that occurs in the body’s lymphatic system, which is the system that the body uses to fight off germs. It specifically occurs in the white blood cells of the lymphatic system called lymphocytes. The lymphatic system is made up of the spleen, thymus gland, bone marrow, and lymph nodes. Lymphoma can show up in all of those areas as well as other organs in the body. Lymphoma is also divided into two different types: Hodgkin Lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.      There are two types of lymphocytes in the lymphatic system. T lymphocytes (T cells) come in many different types. Some T cells slow or boost the activity of other immune system cells and other T cells destroy abnormal cells or germs. The other type of lymphocyte is the B lymphocyte (B cells) which make proteins called antibodies to assist in protecting the body from viruses and bacteria. Hodgkin Lymphoma generally begins in B cells.      Hodgkin Lymphoma can develop in any of the body’s lymphatic tissue. It most frequently begins in areas of the upper body, such as the chest, neck, or under the arms. The lymphatic tissues in those areas are the adenoids, tonsils, thymus, and lymph nodes in the armpits. Hodgkin Lymphoma has two sub types, which are treated differently. Classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) is the most common, with 9 out of 10 cases of Hodgkin lymphoma being classic. The cHL cancer cells are called Reed-Sternberg cells, which are abnormal B lymphocyte cells. Classic Hodgkin lymphoma then has 4 sub types as well. Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) is the second type and only occurs in 5% of cases. NLPHL cells are variants of the Reed-Sternberg cells, called popcorn cells (as they resemble popcorn).      Non-Hodkin lymphoma is very similar to Hodgkin lymphoma, occurring in B cells as well. It is categorized by the different types of lymphomas that can occur.  Indolent lymphomas grow and spread slowly and may not need to be treated quickly, but instead can just be closely monitored. Aggressive lymphomas grow and spread slowly and need to be treated very quickly. Other types of lymphoma don’t fit into either of these two categories     Now that the different types of lymphoma are understood, the symptoms can be examined. The most common symptoms are swollen lymph nodes, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, sweats, infections, fever, and itching. As noted, itching and sweats are two of the symptoms. The itching occurs due to cytokines, which the body’s immune system releases in response to lymphoma. These cytokines irritate nerve endings in the skin, which causes the itching sensation. Although doctors are not entirely sure why lymphoma causes sweating, it is likely because of the chemicals that the body releases in response to the lymphoma.      The BedFan is often used by people who are fighting lymphoma, as it provides great relief from the drenching night sweats that are so often experienced. 

    Both night sweats and headaches by themselves can be symptoms of minor problems. However, when the two are frequently showing up together, they can be a sign of something more concerning. Night sweats can be caused by problems such as anxiety, menopause, and drug or alcohol use. Headaches can be caused by similar issues like stress, too many painkillers, or too much alcohol. Headaches and night sweats overlap as symptoms of hypoglycemia.      Hypoglycemia is defined as low blood glucose and there are many other symptoms which can help you identify if that is what might possibly be behind the night sweats and headaches. Of course, if there is any suspicion that hypoglycemia could be an issue in your life, you should contact your doctor with your concerns. Some of the other symptoms are as follows: Palor Excessive sweating Shakiness Nausea Fast heartbeat Anxiety or irritability Fatigue Dizziness Issues with concentration Tingling or numbness around the mouth Hypoglycemia frequently occurs with diabetes. Given that glucose is your body’s main source of energy, hypoglycemia can be dangerous. If untreated, it can, on the extreme end, result in seizures, comas, or death. It can also cause falls, injuries, motor vehicle accidents, weakness, and can increase the risk for dementia in older adults. This is why it is so important to see a doctor if hypoglycemia is suspected. It most often occurs due to diabetes medications such as insulin. Insulin is prescribed to people with diabetes in order to help them control their blood sugar levels. In type 1 diabetes the body fails to make insulin, while in type 2 diabetes the body is less responsive to insulin, which is why insulin or another medication must be prescribed. However, if too much insulin is introduced to the system, hypoglycemia can occur.  Night sweats as a symptom is very concerning for those with diabetes, as the drop in blood sugar is occurring during their sleep and they are unable to respond quickly to it. Chronic night sweats and waking up with a bad headache is a sure-tell sign for diabetics that hypoglycemia is likely occurring during their sleep. It is suggested that if these symptoms occur together for several days in a row, a quick test should be done. Everyday Health suggests that an alarm should be set for the middle of the night, such as around three hours after bedtime. At this time, glucose levels should be tested and then tested once again upon waking. If there are abnormal fluctuations occurring, your doctor should be contacted.     Nocturnal hypoglycemia can also occur outside of diabetes. Changes in personal routine can cause a drop in blood sugar. As can alcohol consumption, exercising too close to bedtime, and eating too few carbohydrates. Other external factors, even environmental, can cause nocturnal hypoglycemia! High altitudes can cause a drop in blood sugar, whether from the altitude itself or from the extraneous exercise from hiking to a high altitude. High temperatures or humidity can also cause hypoglycemia because heat can cause blood vessels which enhances insulin absorption causing blood sugar to drop.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. If HIV is not treated, it can lead to acquired immunodeficiency disease (AIDS). HIV can be spread through sexual transmission or through shared needles. HIV-1 originated in humans when it was transferred from chimpanzees to humans in southeastern Cameroon, Africa. This transmission likely occurred due to the chimpanzees being hunted and their meat being eaten. Old World monkeys are naturally infected with a variety of different lentiviruses, which, when transferred to humans, present as HIV similar diseases.      HIV-1 became present in humans as early as the late 1800s, but it did not make its way to the United States until around the mid-1970s. It was finally recognized as a disease in 1981. Just in the time since it was recognized, there have been approximately 60 million cases of HIV across the world, and it has been responsible for over 25 million deaths. It is most deadly in developing countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa’s young adults.      Symptoms of HIV begin to develop 2-4 weeks after transmission occurs, with symptoms that last from a few days to even a few weeks. The symptoms are often flu-like, such as sore throats, swollen lymph nodes, rashes, fevers, fatigue, chills, and night sweats. However, the presence of these symptoms is likely not indicative of HIV and should only be of concern if there is a chance you have recently been exposed to HIV. There is also a chance that no symptoms will present at all, so getting tested is essential if there is any reason to suspect that you might have contracted HIV.      The stage where the flu-like symptoms are showing is known as Stage One, or “Acute HIV Infection.” At this point in time, there is a large amount of HIV in the infected person’s bloodstream, which makes it highly contagious. If tested and given a positive result, some of the flu-like symptoms, like night sweats, can be alleviated through relatively simple means. For example, using lighter comforters and sheets at night can help with excess sweating by not heating up the body even more. Using a fan is also an excellent way to cool the body, especially the BedFan, which blows under the sheets to cool the body entirely.      The second stage is “Chronic HIV Infection.” During this stage, the infected person is asymptomatic, which is often called clinical latency. However, despite being asymptomatic, HIV is still active and reproducing in the body. During this stage, people generally test positive for the virus and can begin treatment. However, once they start treatment, they are unlikely to move out of this stage and progress toward AIDS. The medications can also lower their viral load (amount of HIV in their blood) to the point that it is safe for their sexual partners, but this needs to be carefully monitored. On the contrary, if it is not treated, the person will likely remain in this stage for up to a decade. Over that decade, the amount of HIV in the blood continues to go up until Stage Three is reached.      Stage Three is reached when the virus becomes AIDS. Getting to this stage comes with various new problems, one of which is a damaged immune system. The impaired immune system provides an opportunity for other infections and illnesses to move in and wreak more havoc on the body. HIV is also very easily transmittable during the AIDS stage. Without treatment, people who have moved into this stage will typically only survive for three more years. 

The ketogenic diet, more commonly referred to as “keto” is a low-carb, high-fat diet. This diet is taken up in order to lose weight and improve health. It is also believed to help avoid diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease. The high-fat concentrate in keto foods replaces average carb intake, which puts your body into a state called ketosis. When your body is in ketosis, it becomes adept at turning fat into energy. The low amounts of carbs consumed while doing this diet also lead to lower levels of blood sugar and insulin, which can be helpful to some people.      While this diet has a fair amount of health benefits, it can also cause some unforeseen health issues. During the first two to seven days after starting a keto diet, a myriad of flu-like symptoms can arise. This is known as the “keto flu.” While there isn’t much medical research on the keto flu phenomenon, from what evidence of it has been gathered, the symptoms generally consist of the following:     -Foggy brain    -Headaches    -Fatigue    -Nausea    -Difficulty sleeping    -Constipation     There’s no clear reason as to why the keto flu occurs after starting the diet. It could be related to the sudden cut back on carbs, a change in the gut microbiome, or related to detoxing. However, these symptoms usually secede within a week.  Night sweats are also occasionally reported with starting the keto diet. While there is not much research on this either, there are quite a few different things that could cause night sweats while on the keto diet!  The keto diet includes a very serious drop in the number of carbs that the body normally takes in. As carbs are turned into simple sugars when digested, it’s no surprise that eating a high amount of carbs can cause a rise in blood sugar. It should make sense then that when all of those carbs are cut, blood sugar levels in the body drop drastically. If the body’s blood sugar levels drop extremely low, heavy sweating and night sweats can result.  Also caused by the sudden drop in carbs is, surprisingly, dehydration! The low amount of carbs causes the body to have lower amounts of glycogen and insulin, and higher ketone levels. When the low-carb diet first begins, the body relies heavily on muscle glycogen for energy. However, for each bit of glycogen that the body uses, twice the amount of water is lost. This means that dehydration can occur easily once the body starts using up high amounts of glycogen. Being dehydrated can cause body temperatures to rise at night, causing night sweats. This can be pretty easily avoided though, by making sure to drink adequate amounts of water while on keto. Night sweats can also occur as a symptom of withdrawal from sugars! Most people have heard at some point that sugar is addictive, and this is entirely true. Both sugars and refined carbs have addictive qualities and a research review by Harvard showed that sugar withdrawal shares symptoms of opioid withdrawal. One of the symptoms being heavy sweating and night sweats. 

Night sweats are defined as episodes of extreme sweating from hot flashes that occur during sleep. They are typically pretty severe, soaking clothing and bedding with sweat. Doctors can find the cause of a patient’s night sweats with a detailed medical history and after running a variety of tests. They can be the result of a number of different conditions, from menopause to cancer.     Menopause- Night sweats often occur when a woman is going through menopause. Menopause is a transitional 12-month period of time which begins after a woman's last period and marks the end of her reproductive ability. Common symptoms of menopause include hot flashes, chills, mood changes, weight gains, and hot flashes. The hot flashes associated with menopause are often quite severe and make sleeping difficult.      Tuberculosis- Many infections cause night sweats, but tuberculosis is the most likely one to cause them. Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial disease that mainly affects the lungs, but can also affect the kidney, brain, and spine. The bacterium that causes TB is called Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is spread through the air from person to person. When the TB bacterium is breathed in, it settles in the lungs and begins to grow. Once it has settled, it can be passed to more people through any activity that expels air from the lungs. Night sweats are usually an indicator that the level of TB infection in the body is very high. Thyroid Disease- Thyroid diseases such as hypothyroidism can also cause night sweats. While there is not much scientific evidence to back the idea that hypothyroidism directly causes night sweats, there is a link between night sweats and the hypothyroidism medication levothyroxine. Overuse of levothyroxine increases sweating and night sweats.  Stress and Anxiety- Stress and anxiety are one of the leading causes of night sweats. You can generally tell if these two issues are the root of the night sweats if your night sweats are accompanied by other stress and anxiety-related symptoms. Having feelings of worry, fear, and dread that continue to come back is a big indication that there might be a root issue of anxiety.  Medications- Certain medications can also be a cause of night sweats. SSRIs and tricyclic antidepressants, which are both used to treat depression, can cause excessive sweating. Common pain killers such as NSAIDs like aspirin and ibuprofen and acetaminophen (Tylenol) have also been linked to acute night sweats. Hormone therapy drugs, steroids, and antipsychotics are also on the list.  Diabetes- Diabetes can cause night sweats in a variety of ways. First of all, low blood sugar can cause night sweats. This can especially be seen in a situation called nocturnal hypoglycemia where the blood sugar drops while you’re asleep, generally because you had a late day or ate late at night. It can also cause chills and severe headaches. The second way that diabetes can be linked to night sweats is through medication. People who medicate their diabetes through insulin are at a higher risk of night sweats. This is because insulin, as well as alcohol and food, prevent you from measuring your glucose levels. 

Mayo Clinic defines night sweats as episodes of very heavy sweating during sleep, in which the clothing and sheets are often soaked. Night sweats are specifically not caused by factors such as being hot from sleeping under a large number of blankets. Instead, they are caused by the body sweating heavily to adjust body temperature. This need for adjustment is often caused by conditions including: Menopause Autoimmune disorders Drug addiction Thyroid disease Certain cancers     Out of all the conditions that can cause night sweats, the sweats that come from specific types of cancers are often extreme and drenching, as well as accompanied by fevers and weight loss. Two cancers that commonly cause night sweats are lymphoma and leukemia. Leukemia-related night sweats can also come with fatigue, excessive bruising, daytime fevers, and weight loss.  Adrenal tumors can also cause excessive sweating. The adrenal glands are part of the system that releases hormones into the blood. Hormones are essential to a large majority of the body’s processes. The body has two adrenal glands, with one being located on the top of each kidney. Tumors on adrenal glands stimulate excessive catecholamines hormone production, resulting in pheochromocytoma, which causes profuse sweating at night.  Carcinoid tumors may also cause night sweats. These tumors are a type of neuroendocrine tumor that comes from neuroendocrine cells. It’s a slow-growing cancer that can appear in different areas of the body. These tumors are found in children and young adults to be in either the appendix or lungs. In adults, they are more likely to be found in the digestive tract. There’s not yet a clear indication of why night sweats can be a symptom of these tumors. Night sweats may also occur with: Mesothelioma  Bone cancer Liver cancer Why Does Cancer Cause Night Sweats?     It’s not clear why some of these cancers cause night sweats. The two most likely causes are either hormones or the body trying to fight off cancer, thus causing fevers and excessive sweating. Cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, can also cause night sweats, as can hormone-altering medications and morphine.  The best way to treat night sweats from cancer is to make changes within your sleep environment. Wearing light, loose, and breathable clothing is a good start, as tight-fitting clothes trap heat and only worsen the sweating. The best material for breathable pajamas is Supima cotton. This type of cotton is extra-breathable and feels cool on the skin.      You should also invest in new bedding to help with night sweats. Lightweight, breathable sheets can help reduce sweating. You should also ensure that the comforter you’re using is not too heavy and heat-trapping but also light and breathable. Beyond just the bedding, mattresses can also play a big part in night sweats as particular mattresses will retain heat. Cooling mattresses are beneficial, but can also be pricey, so you could instead opt for a cooling bed topper.     Keeping your room cool with the help of AC or fans is also integral to keeping the body cool and preventing night sweats. This is where the BedFan comes into play, as it offers a unique ability to blow cool air under the sheets instead of just relying on cool air in the room. This airflow directly onto the body relieves people suffering from night sweats.

     Most people have heard the advice about sleeping on your left side at some point in their life. While this advice is valid, it leaves a lot of unanswered questions. The biggest one is how, exactly, is sleeping on your left side beneficial? There are actually a lot of benefits to sleeping on your left side, especially for people who are either pregnant or suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).      For people who are pregnant, sleeping on your left side is very helpful to your developing baby. It keeps pressure off of the liver, while also increasing blood flow between the heart, fetus, kidneys, and uterus. However, while it is a good practice, it is not necessary. It won’t hurt the baby if you choose to sleep on your right side as well for a short time. GERD is also a common symptom of pregnancy, and sleeping on your left side has been scientifically proven to lessen both the intensity and frequency of acid reflux!      Sleeping on your left side also promotes bowel movements due to gravity, which is great for people who struggle to have regular bowel movements. This can be helpful to people who have lazy bowel syndrome, constipation, or inflammatory bowel disease.      Researchers have found that another benefit of sleeping on the left side can is that it is also healthy for your brain! It can help your body clear interstitial waste from your brain. It could reduce your chances of getting Alzheimer's disease, which destroys thinking and memory skills, or Parkinson’s disease which affects the central nervous system and the ability to move.       Sleeping on your side is also great for your spin, especially if you can get into a symmetrical side sleeping position. It supports the spine's natural curve and is gentler on the body. You can also assume the fetal position while on your side, although it can become hard to breathe if you curl up too tightly.        Sleeping on your right side can also be beneficial at times, especially for people who have heart failure, as sleeping on their left side can be painful due to the way it affects their heart. 

What Sleep Is Best? Sleep is a vital part of life, and it's something that we all do. But when was the last time you thought about how much sleep you should be getting each night? Or what types of sleep are best for your body? We're going to take a closer look at the different stages of sleep so that you can have a better understanding of what type of sleep is best. Sleep Habits Sleep is the foundation of good health, but what does that really mean? What does sleep do for us in the first place? And how many hours should we be sleeping to feel rested, alert, and energized throughout the day? These are all important questions to ask yourself if you're trying to improve your sleep habits—and hopefully, one day even get enough shut-eye so that you can wake up without an alarm clock! Before we cover what type of sleep is best, let’s figure out how much sleep you need. This question is probably on everyone's mind when they're thinking about their daily rest and recovery schedule. The answer depends on several factors including age, gender, and how active or inactive someone is during their waking hours (i.e., exercise). Considering that most adults only get six hours on average (according to a recent poll), it's fair to say that our society doesn't prioritize getting enough shuteye as much as some other countries around the world! How Much Sleep Do You Need? 7-9 hours. This is the recommendation of the National Sleep Foundation, but it's a broad range and you may need more or less sleep depending on your age, body size, lifestyle, health, and environment. If you're under 18 years old: You should get 9-13 hours of sleep per night. If you're over 18 years old: You should get 7-9 hours of sleep per night. The amount of sleep needed decreases with age until about 50 years old when your need for deep sleep increases slightly again until about 70 years old (when it decreases). The Stages of Sleep There are five different stages of sleep: Stage 1 - Very Light Sleep Stage 2 - Light Sleep Stage 3 - Deep Sleep Stage 4 - Very Deep Sleep REM (Rapid Eye Movement) Sleep Stages 1, 2, and 3 are the lightest and most common stages of sleep. If you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, this is almost certainly why. When you're in a lighter stage of sleep your brain activity slows down, but muscle activity increases to prevent you from acting out your dreams if they become too intense. For example, if you're dreaming about having an accident while driving and suddenly jerk awake violently with your hand on the brake pedal, that's an example of what happens when muscle tension gets too high during light-stage sleep. Rapid Eye Movement (REM) REM sleep is when you are most likely to experience a dream. It is also the stage of sleep where your eyes move rapidly from side to side and up and down. REM sleep makes up about 20% of total sleep time for adults, but it can vary between 10-25% depending on your age. Your brain enters REM during the last third of your sleeping period—so if you're going to bed at 10 p.m., then you’re likely to enter REM at around 2:00 in the morning. It doesn't happen all at once; instead, it happens in cycles throughout the night with each cycle lasting approximately 90 minutes (but again, that can vary based on age). During this stage of sleep, our brains are active but we don't physically move around much (if at all); this makes it easy for us not only to have vivid dreams but also hallucinations or false perceptions—which explains why some say they can see ghosts while they're asleep! The Bedfan will help you reach REM sleep faster and allow you to stay there longer.   The more time spent in REM the better rested we will feel when we wake up because our bodies release hormones called growth hormone during these periods which helps regenerate tissues such as muscle fibers and bone cells In the end, while you can't choose what stage of sleep you'll spend the most time in during sleep, making sure that you are aiming to get an age-appropriate amount of sleep each night will increase your chances of spending the right amount of time in all of the sleep stages. 

Though sleeping difficulties are common among Americans, a significant portion of the population suffers from a serious sleep disorder called insomnia. See how the Bedfan can help.

      College students are notoriously some of the most sleep-deprived people on the face of the earth. Pulling all-nighters, popping Adderall, and slipping naps into every uninterrupted moment seem to be considered the norms. This is generally due to having heavy school loads and part-time jobs, while still trying to maintain a social life. While students do lose sleep trying to maintain high grades, their lack of sleep usually hurts their grades in the long run. Here we will cover the relationship between sleep and college students, as well as provide some tips in overcoming sleep deprivation.       A lack of sleep heavily impacts memory and concentration skills which go on to make performing well on a test very difficult. Instead of cramming late into the night and early morning, the best way to prepare for a test is to study well and get the full recommended 8 hours of sleep. While getting those 8 hours of sleep can be tricky, there are some things that can help.     Going to bed early ensures that you will get the amount of sleep you need, even if you encounter some hiccups along the way to falling asleep. This also gives you extra time in case you have trouble getting to sleep and need to get out of bed and do something relaxing. These relaxing activities can be taking a bath or reading a boring book. Most important to getting sleep is staying off of electronics, as the blue light emitted by them affects sleep. Naps taken during the day should also be under an hour long and before 3 pm.        It’s also important for students to get good sleep because not only can lack sleep affect grades, it can also strongly affect mental health. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 50% of students struggle with anxiety, and 44% experience symptoms of depression. (Sleep Education) And while lack of sleep is bad enough for grades, mental health issues can only worsen academic struggles.       It is also recommended that extra sleep is not made up for on the weekends by sleeping in. While this seems a common and straightforward enough thing to do, it actually greatly messes with the body’s sleep schedule, making healthy sleep more evasive. Instead, it is recommended that students get to bed earlier on the weekends and wake up at their usual time, rather than sleep in late.       As a general rule, it is also important to avoid caffeine late at night when trying to sleep early, as caffeine (obviously) makes falling asleep more difficult than necessary. (Learn: how does caffeine affect sleep.) Students should also make an effort to not eat a big meal before bed, instead rely on small snacks or desserts to keep their stomachs full while going to bed. Nothing can keep you awake and delay you from sleeping as much as an angry, empty stomach. One good pre-bedtime snack is tart cherries, which have a healthy helping of melatonin. But always avoid ice cream, chocolate, alcohol, potato chips, and any other fried foods before bed. Sugar raises blood sugar, which can make it hard to fall asleep, while the oil in fried foods keeps the body from focusing on going to sleep. 

     Melatonin is generally called “the sleep hormone,” and anyone who has had issues winding down at night is likely familiar with it. Many people take synthetic melatonin as a supplement at night to help them wind down and get a good night of sleep. Of course, being a hormone, melatonin is naturally produced by the body. Melatonin production is linked to the circadian rhythm, with more being produced after dark, in order to help the body sleep at the proper times.       Research in recent years has shown that synthetic melatonin can help people get better sleep in multiple different situations. Troubled sleepers can benefit greatly from taking, as can night owls who need to get to bed at an unusually early time. Even people who wake up too early in the morning can take melatonin to help them sleep until a decent time. Studies done over short amounts of time have found that melatonin supplements help people fall asleep faster and have better sleep efficiency. Sleep efficiency is the amount of time spent in bed compared to the amount of time you actually spend sleeping. (VeryWell Health)       Melatonin supplements have also been found to be helpful for people who are neurodivergent. Children who have ADHD experience better sleep while taking melatonin. Many people with autism have a hard time producing the proper amount of melatonin and studies have shown that supplements help them fall asleep sooner. Better sleep has also been found to improve functioning during the day.        One of the most impressive facets of melatonin supplements is the lack of severe side effects. There are a handful of minor reported side effects, such as dizziness, nausea, and drowsiness. These are very minor side effects in comparison to the ones commonly associated with prescription or over-the-counter sleeping medications. The large majority of people who use sleeping medications report feeling as though they are hungover the next day. Melatonin supplement side effects include gastrointestinal issues such as constipation, diarrhea, gas, heartburn, and nausea. Your body can also become dependent on sleeping pills and after quitting, rebound insomnia can occur.        When deciding whether or not one should take melatonin, any present health concerns should be taken into consideration and a doctor should be consulted. Melatonin can interact with high blood pressure medications, immune system suppressants such as cyclosporine, and herbs such as valerian, kava kava, and St. John’s wort. Melatonin is also not suggested for children to take due to some concern that it may affect gonadal development. Women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant should also avoid taking melatonin as it may inhibit ovulation to an extent. Men taking melatonin have also reported increased breast size and reduced sperm count. 

A lot of us have talked in our sleep at some point in our life. The degree to which varies greatly though, as it might be just a word or sound, or it may be a whole dialogue. So, what causes sleep talking at night? A whopping 50% of children between 3 and 10 years old deal with this parasomnia, while only around 5% of adults do. There is also a high possibility that sleep talking is, in fact, a genetic trait! Studies have found that only about half of sleep talk is clear enough to understand, while the other half is just gibberish. While the statistics of it may seem clear cut, the content of the activity is a little less clear. Science is yet to come to a conclusion on what causes sleep talking. It’s rarely related to the sleep-talker’s consciousness and their real-life events. It’s more likely related to conflict-heavy events, such as nightmares, or an underlying mental health factor such as PTSD.  More often than not, sleep talk that is recorded contains exclamations or profanities. (Sleep Foundation) It may also be connected to Sleep Apnea and chronic headaches.  As a whole, it’s not dangerous for people to be talking in their sleep, it’s just disruptive to whoever may be sharing a bedroom with them. Waking up another person with sleep talking can quickly become problematic, because high-quality sleep is so important to functioning in everyday life. Some small changes can be made to try and lessen the frequency and severity of sleep talking- most of it tying back to sleep hygiene and environment. Keeping a sleep diary for a couple of weeks for your doctor to look at is one of the best things you can do to get started on making some changes with sleep talking. A sleep diary can be a big responsibility to take on though, even if just for a little while. So if you’re looking for something a little bit smaller to try and help, you can also try making your bedroom space better for sleep. Making sure the mattress is of high quality and the bedding is cozy goes a long way. Keeping the temperatures low can also encourage great sleep. You should be sure to limit the amount of light and noise pollution in your bedroom. This can be as simple as unplugging bright electronics at night or running a sound machine to drown out distracting noises. As for the person who is sharing the room with the sleep talker, there are some things you can do to make your quality of sleep a little bit better, too. Earplugs or headphones worn in or over the ears can help filter out the sound enough to not disturb your sleep. A sound machine can also help to drown out the sound of your room partner talking in the middle of the night. If a sound machine isn’t feasible, trying something with a little less volume such as a fan. If it comes down to it, sleeping in another room may be one of the only ways to get a good night of sleep without having it disrupted.  The most important thing is, if you’re experiencing troubles in your life due to sleep talking, you should consult your doctor about it. For more information on other sleep issues, follow our Sleep Health Blog. https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/talking-in-your-sleep https://www.sleepfoundation.org/parasomnias/sleep-talking

Most of us know someone who sleepwalks on the regular- you might even be that person! Sleepwalking, formally called somnambulism, is a very strange parasomnia, which can lead people to do things that are very out of the ordinary for them. Whether that be eating food in their sleep in the middle of the night, or walking down the road and putting themselves in dangerous situations. Some people have actually even driven while being in a state of sleepwalking. We are going to cover what sleepwalking looks like, its causes, and sleepwalking treatment. What Does Sleepwalking Look Like? Someone in a sleepwalking episode typically has wide open, glassy eyes and a blank expression on their face. As noted earlier, sleepwalking is also not just walking- it can be running, violent, or include urination in inappropriate places. It usually happens an hour or two after the sleepwalker goes to sleep. The sleepwalking person rarely remembers what happened during the seconds to half-an-hour long episode. They either return to bed and continue sleeping or wake up out of bed and be confused as to where they are and what’s happening.  (Sleep Foundation) Sleepwalking Causes Sleepwalking is a parasomnia, described specifically as a disorder of arousal. It occurs during the deepest stage of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. Sleep terrors also occur during NREM sleep, so the two can occur at the same time. (MayoClinic) Sleepwalking causes can be attributed to several other health conditions such as sleep-disordered breathing, like obstructive sleep apnea. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can affect sleepwalking and there is alcohol induced sleepwalking. Medications used for psychiatric disorders and sedatives can worsen or cause sleepwalking. A consistent lack of sleep can cause the body to need more deep sleep, which can make sleepwalking more likely to occur.  Sleepwalking Treatment Most people who sleepwalk don’t require any kind of treatment for it. It’s more common in children than adults as it usually becomes less frequent as you get older. Those who do have some treatment for it are generally children whose parents use the anticipated awakening method. This method has the parents wake the child before the anticipated time when they are going to sleepwalk. This is easy to calculate because it occurs in the same sleep stage each time. It has been shown to be effective in children, but has yet to be tested in adults.  Other measures can be taken to try and lessen sleepwalking, such as improving sleep hygiene and atmosphere. Consumption of alcohol or caffeine near bedtime can cause disturbances in sleep which may be linked to sleep problems that can worsen sleepwalking. Learning more about sleep hygiene and how to improve it is a good place to start if you or someone you know is struggling with sleepwalking.  If you’re trying to help someone who sleepwalks, the best that you can do is eliminate safety risks in the area where they may be while sleepwalking. Putting away sharp objects, removing tripping hazards, and latching doors and windows securely can all help keep a sleepwalking person safe. If the sleep walking is happening multiple times a week or resulting in dangerous activity, you should reach out to a doctor.  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sleepwalking/symptoms-causes/syc-20353506 https://www.sleepfoundation.org/parasomnias/sleepwalking