When you have night sweats, you can sweat so much while sleeping that your sheets and clothing get wet. Night sweats may be linked to many factors, which may include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Night sweats can be uncomfortable and may wake you up and make it hard to fall back asleep.

Menopause is a common cause of night sweats. But other medical conditions can also cause these uncomfortable episodes, including GERD.

That said, the evidence of night sweats caused by GERD is limited. Other medical conditions that cause night sweats may be serious, such as cancer.

Sweating is one of your body’s natural responses to heat. It helps you cool yourself off when you’re in a hot environment or exercising. You can also sweat in response to other stressors, such as illness.

GERD is a digestive condition that involves prolonged acid reflux, which then causes heartburn.

It’s unclear how GERD might directly cause night sweats. However, limited research from 2020 based on one person who had both GERD and night sweats suggests an association between the symptoms and GERD.

Another older study presented only two other people who had night sweats with GERD. Given this, more research is needed to understand whether there’s a true connection between GERD and night sweats.

If you experience night sweats and have GERD, make an appointment with your doctor. They can help determine whether GERD or another condition causes these symptoms.

If you wake up with heartburn and excessive sweating or experience other symptoms of GERD, your doctor may prescribe medications to help manage your symptoms.

While this is not a definitive finding, the 2020 study examining one person who experienced night sweats with GERD showed that they were treated with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). PPIs are a common medication for GERD, and they seemed to resolve the person’s night sweats.

Other medications your doctor may prescribe for GERD include antacids and H2 blockers. Home remedies and lifestyle changes, such as changing your diet, can help manage symptoms of GERD.

If the cause is not GERD, treatment will depend on the underlying cause. If you have GERD and night sweats and your doctor can’t find another cause for them, managing your GERD symptoms may help relieve them.

While GERD can be a cause of night sweats, not all people with GERD have them. And even if you have GERD, night sweats often have other causes. It’s important to rule them out before settling on GERD as the cause.

Other possible causes of night sweats include:

  • menopause or conditions that affect your hormones
  • certain medications
  • infections
  • serious conditions, such as tuberculosis or cancer

If you’re experiencing night sweats, make an appointment with your doctor. They may use a variety of examinations and tests to help determine the cause.

Whether or not you have GERD, occasional night sweats that do not significantly disrupt your sleep may not be a cause for concern. However, it’s still a good idea to mention it the next time you see your doctor.

If you have frequent night sweats or any other concerning symptoms, it’s best to seek more urgent medical advice.

Some other potential warning signs that may indicate a more serious underlying cause include:

  • sudden weight loss
  • body aches and pains
  • high fever and chills
  • long-term (chronic) or bloody coughing
  • digestive issues like diarrhea or stomach pain

A doctor can help identify the underlying cause of your night sweats and create a treatment plan if necessary.

Can GERD cause sweating during the day?

There’s little evidence that GERD-related daytime sweating is similar to night sweats. That said, a 2020 study found a link between GERD and palmar hyperhidrosis, a condition that causes sweaty palms.

What are the symptoms of GERD at night?

If you have GERD, symptoms you might experience at night include acid reflux with heartburn, choking, or coughing. These may be severe enough to wake you up.

If this is the case and you experience it frequently, it may mean your GERD is not well managed. If so, it’s a good idea to see your doctor to adjust your treatment.

Night sweats can be troublesome, especially if they interrupt your sleep on a regular basis. On top of waking you up, the discomfort can make it difficult to fall back asleep.

The key to help prevent future night sweats is to treat the underlying cause.

It’s important to work with your doctor to manage your GERD symptoms and lower your risk of further health problems.