Don’t Sweat It: How to Keep IBD Temperature Changes in Check

It’s not uncommon to wake up sweaty when you have inflammatory bowel disease. Many people can manage this problem with changes to your room temperature, pajamas, and bedding.

Having difficulty getting a good night’s sleep? If you have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis and you regularly wake up drenched in sweat, you’re not alone.

Night sweats are common in people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). But with some lifestyle changes, night sweats can be managed and may become less bothersome.

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What are night sweats?

Waking up sweaty is caused by an increase in your body temperature. It can be a normal response to common viruses, sleeping in warm temperatures, drinking alcohol, or eating especially spicy food.

It happens to many people on an occasional basis, and in most cases, it isn’t considered night sweats.

Night sweats are repeated episodes of heavy sweating. Usually, the sweating is enough to soak your pajamas or sheets. Night sweats disrupt your sleep and are typically the result of a prolonged infection, medical condition, hormonal changes, or a side effect of a medication.

What causes night sweats in people with IBD?

Night sweats in people with IBD occur for the following reasons:

• Inflammation caused by IBD: When your IBD is active, your immune system is essentially functioning in overdrive. As immune activity increases, your body responds by raising its internal temperature so it can increase the production of immune cells. This elevation in temperature can cause fever and night sweats.
• IBD medications: Prednisone is the most common IBD medication that can cause sweating. Other immunosuppressive IBD medications may contribute to fever and night sweats. If you recently started a new IBD medication and notice an increase in night sweats, talk with your pharmacist or doctor.
• Fever related to an abscess: An abscess is a pocket of infection inside your abdomen or pelvis that develops as a complication of IBD. Abscesses affect up to 30% of people with Crohn’s disease. Abscesses also can occur in people with ulcerative colitis but much less commonly. Abscesses are usually painful and cause a fever. If you’re having an increase in pain and night sweats, be sure to tell your doctor.

Are night sweats a cause for concern?

Night sweats may be a common occurrence for you and your condition. However, if your sleep quality seems to be worsening due to night sweats or other symptoms, it could mean you’re going to experience a flare.

A 2019 study found that in people with Crohn’s disease, poor sleep is associated with disease activity and a higher likelihood of clinical disease relapse within 6 months.

Talk with your doctor if your night sweats frequently interrupt your sleep. They may do tests to determine if your inflammation is worsening.

Before my son was diagnosed with Crohn’s, he started having regular night sweats along with low grade fevers. I later understood that this was due to his body’s response to inflammation and a perianal abscess that eventually landed him in the hospital.

Tips for managing night sweats

Even though my son is in remission, he still has night sweats from time to time. It’s not unusual for him to wake up with a soaked pillow and damp sheets. Although his night sweats can’t always be prevented, I’ve found the following strategies help him feel better and sleep better.

Keep the room cool

The ideal temperature for sleep is between 60 and 67°F (15.6 and 19.4°C). This will help your body stay cool but not get cold. Using a ceiling fan can also help the room feel cool.

Dress lightly

Your body’s temperature naturally falls 1–2 degrees as night approaches. When you feel cool at bedtime, avoid the temptation to dress warmly. Dress in lightweight, breathable clothing. Avoid heavy or synthetic fabrics such as fleece and polyester because they can trap heat.

Choose breathable or moisture-wicking bedding

Generally, natural fabrics such as cotton, bamboo, linen, and silk are more breathable than synthetic ones, meaning they let air pass through so they don’t become too warm. Synthetic fabrics such as flannel, polyester, and acrylic aren’t breathable, so people with IBD may want to avoid them.

Some synthetic fabrics like microfiber, as well as semisynthetic fabrics such as Tencel, lyocell, and viscose, are engineered to wick moisture, which helps keep you cool.

If you’re not sure where to find such bedding, check out these recommendations for sheets made from both natural and synthetic moisture-wicking fabrics.

My son has sensitive skin, so I prefer to buy him sheets made from natural fabrics like cotton or bamboo. Don’t forget to also choose lightweight blankets that are breathable or made with cooling technology.

Use pillow and mattress protectors

Pillow and mattress protectors help absorb any moisture from sweating and keep your pillow and mattress clean. Choose natural or moisture-wicking fabrics. Also, consider using covers that are both waterproof and breathable, or layer a breathable cover over a waterproof one.

Layer it up

I usually put two pillow protectors on my son’s pillow underneath the pillowcase. Sometimes, I also put two fitted sheets on his bed over his mattress cover. Another option is to put a towel or top sheet under the fitted sheet. That way the wet top layers can be easily removed, even during the night, if needed.

Strip the bed promptly after a sweaty night to keep bedding fresh and dry. If your pillow is still damp after you strip it, put it near a sunny window during the day to air out. If it has an odor or is wet, you may need to wash it or replace it.

If your pillow is machine washable, wash two pillows together so your washer doesn’t become unbalanced — I learned this tip the hard way! Dry it in the dryer with tennis balls to help the pillow retain its shape.

Keep water and a change of clothes at your bedside

When you wake up sweaty, drinking water and changing clothes can help you cool down. Having everything close to your bed will help you get comfortable and back to sleep quickly.

Limit caffeine, alcohol, and certain foods

Caffeine, alcohol, or very spicy or sugary foods can raise your body temperature and cause sweating. Limit them throughout the day and avoid them within a few hours of bedtime to help regulate your temperature.

The takeaway

Night sweats can be a bothersome symptom of IBD. Keeping your bedroom cool, wearing lightweight pajamas, and choosing cooling bedding can help manage occasional night sweats.

Being prepared with what you need to cool down during the night can also improve your sleep. If your night sweats persist or are worsening, reach out to your doctor for medical advice.