Perspiration
What is perspiration?
Sweating is a natural phenomenon in which the body excretes fluid which evaporates on the skin. The heat that is extracted from the body in this way causes the body temperature to drop. The pores in our skin are cleaned and our body can breath freely.
Click here for more information about the perspiration process.
Perspiration is linked first of all to physical exercise and summer temperatures. However, most sweat arises in emotional tension (such as when we are startled or nervous).
Other causes of sweating are hormonal changes, a medical problem, excessively warm clothes, etc.
What triggers perspiration?
Sweat is produced by millions of sweat glands. These are special small organs on the skin. Every human being has about five million of them, spread all over the body. Most sweat glands are located in the skin of the feet, palms and armpits.
Every six minutes, these glands produce sweat. As a result, we can easily lose a litre of fluid a day, in exceptional cases even as much as ten litres. This is why it is important to maintain your fluid balance by drinking regularly.
You also lose fluid while asleep. Per night, this varies from half a litre to one litre. This is quite a lot. Moreover, that fluid penetrates the mattress. A damp atmosphere is the ideal surroundings for the development of bacteria. Without a mattress protector, the mattress is in fact a breeding ground for microbes, dust and other allergens.
Excessive perspiration
Excessive perspiration occurs quite frequently. About 1% of the population suffers from over-stimulation of the nervous system, resulting in more sweat being produced than is necessary. This is known as hyperhydrosis.
Profuse sweating is a symptom of particular diseases or specific disorders of the nervous system. However, most people with high sweat production do not have any disorder. In these cases, there is simply an overactivity of the sweat glands which may be temporary or continuous.
Sometimes so much sweat may be produced that it interferes with everyday activities. Sweat patches or perspiration odours are unpleasant for everyone and are always inconvenient. The fact is, however, that perspiration may also be useful. It cools down the body and through the presence of pheromones may act as a factor of attraction. These fragrant hormones trigger sexual excitement or, on the contrary, cause revulsion.
Click here for more information about treatment for excessive perspiration.
Sleep and temperature
Many people think it is light that is responsible for the feeling of needing to sleep. But in fact it is body temperature: it is lower before going to sleep than in the morning before getting up.
Apart from body temperature, the ambient temperature also affects sleep. The impact of our surroundings is rather complex. You will easily feel sleepy in a hot room. But when it is warm at night, you often have problems sleeping.
This is because the climate indoors, e.g. temperature and humidity in the bedroom, are of great importance for sound sleep.
Sweating while asleep
There may be many causes of sleeping poorly at night. One of these is perspiration. We sweat not only all day but also at night. When we fall asleep, there is a drop in body temperature as the body excretes fluid.
Research has shown that humans lose half to one litre of fluid per night. This fluid evaporates and penetrates deep into the mattress. In this damp environment, bacteria and fungi can flourish, creating an unhealthy sleeping environment. It is therefore important to cover your mattress with a mattress protector.
AeroSleep prevents moisture penetrating the mattress, thus preventing it from becoming a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. Through the 3D structure, hot air is discharged from the body and fresh air is supplied from the surrounding environment. Through this process, body sweat can evaporate effortlessly. Your sheets and mattress remain dry and fresh until the morning.
As the body is at rest, one would not expect a human being to sweat up to one litre while asleep. However, there are various causes why people may sweat in bed.
Some people sweat at night without it disrupting their sleep. However, it is very unpleasant when perspiration causes sleeplessness and one stays awake because of feeling hot and because the sheets are damp. Many people just accept this without looking for a solution or asking for advice. But a number of small changes can make all the difference.