Asthma and Night Sweats: Why They Happen and What to Do

Night sweats when you have asthma are annoying and sometimes worrying. They can come from the asthma itself, from medicines, or from something else happening at night. Nocturnal asthma — when airway inflammation and tightness get worse at night — often causes coughing, wheeze, and sweating. If your chest tightens and you wake up drenched, your body is working hard to breathe and cool down.

Common causes include: asthma flare at night, oral or high-dose inhaled steroids, infections, fevers, reflux that triggers coughing, anxiety or panic attacks, and sleep problems like obstructive sleep apnea. Some asthma drugs, like oral steroids or theophylline, can cause sweating as a side effect. Hormone changes, menopause, and thyroid issues can also cause night sweats and may happen alongside asthma.

If you get night sweats often, track what else happens. Note the time, breathing symptoms, fever, weight loss, new medications, and how long it lasts. See your doctor if night sweats come with fevers, unplanned weight loss, swollen glands, or severe breathlessness. Those signs mean you need a medical check.

Simple steps to reduce night sweats and improve sleep

Try keeping your bedroom cool and use light bedding. Cotton sheets and moisture-wicking pajamas help. Avoid heavy meals, alcohol, and hot drinks two hours before bed. Check your inhaler technique and use your controller medicine as prescribed — poorly controlled asthma is a common cause of night symptoms. If you use oral steroids, ask about tapering or alternatives.

Small bedroom fixes help a lot. Use an AC or fan to keep air moving and reduce humidity — dust mites and mold like damp, warm rooms. Wash sheets weekly in hot water, vacuum the mattress, and consider allergen covers for pillows and mattress. If pets sleep in the bedroom, try keeping them out to see if symptoms and night sweats improve.

When medicines or tests might help

Your doctor may change inhalers, add a long-acting controller, or check for infections and reflux. They might test for sleep apnea or refer you to a specialist if symptoms persist. If side effects from a medicine seem likely, don’t stop it on your own — talk about options and timing.

Review your meds yearly and ask about stepping down steroids if your asthma is controlled. Long-term oral steroids raise the risk of side effects including sweating, weight gain, and mood changes. Vaccines for flu and COVID reduce infections that can trigger asthma nights. If stress or panic attacks wake you sweating, try simple breathing exercises before bed. A guided 10-minute breathing routine often calms airways and lowers night anxiety.

Keep a simple diary: nights with sweats, what you ate, meds taken, and your breathing. That makes appointments more useful. If night sweats are occasional and linked to a clear trigger, you can often fix them with simple changes. If they’re frequent or severe, get checked — proper asthma control and a focused workup usually clear up the problem. Bring your notes to appointments and ask for an updated asthma action plan.