It’s not uncommon to crave a cold glass of water on a hot summer day or after you’ve eaten something particularly spicy. However, waking up in the middle of the night is not something that you should be okay with. Ask yourself, do I always feel thirsty in the middle of the night? It’s common for many people to experience an increased sense of thirst during night time. For people who experience this everyday, a full night’s sleep can remain a distant dream. This article will help you understand why you feel thirsty at night and how RightLife - a health and wellness app can guide you to better sleep.
How does thirst work?
To understand why you always feel thirsty at night, you will first have to understand how the concept of thirst works. The human body requires water to function to its full potential. Thirst is your body's way of telling you that it's running low on water. It's normal to feel thirsty when it's hot or after you've gone through an intense workout.
When your body is in need of water, nerve centers deep within the brain are stimulated, resulting in the sensation of thirst. The sensation becomes stronger as the body’s need for water increases, motivating a person to reach out for a glass of water. When the body has excess water, thirst is suppressed.
Why do you feel thirsty at night?
Several factors can contribute to increased thirst in the middle of the night. Here are five possible causes:
- Dehydration
The simplest cause of nighttime thirst is dehydration. Taking part in physical activities during the day, exposure to heat, or having less fluid may make you dehydrated at night, and that is why you wake up feeling thirsty.
- Salty or sweet products
Consuming salty or sweet foods before bedtime can increase your thirst throughout the night. When you consume excessive amounts of sodium, your body retains water to maintain balance which increases your thirst. On the other hand, sugary desserts raise your glucose levels which in turn increase your thirst.
- Mouth breathing or snoring
If you breathe through your mouth or are a snorer, you end up waking up with a dry mouth and throat that leaves you thirsty. It's worse if you have sleep apnea or are congested through your nose, because you don't breathe well out of your nostrils, causing your mouth to dry up from the inside.
- Sleep disorder
Sleep disorders such as snoring or sleep apnea can cause nighttime thirst for a few reasons. Firstly, snoring and sleep apnea can lead to breathing difficulties during sleep. These conditions can cause intermittent pauses in breathing or shallow breathing, which can result in increased evaporation of moisture from the airways. This increased evaporation can lead to dryness in the mouth and throat, triggering a sensation of thirst. If you have concerns about a potential sleep disorder such as snoring or sleep apnea, it is essential to seek guidance from a healthcare professional or even a sleep expert at RightLife.
- High bedroom temperature
When your bedroom temperature is high, your body will experience more sweating. The body utilizes sweat to cool itself but you will also lose fluid. This is why you can feel more thirsty on hot nights. Furthermore, hot nights may make it really difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep.
How to prevent excessive thirst at night
If you frequently reach out for a glass of water in the night and end up spoiling your sleep, consider trying these tips to sleep well at night consistently.
- Drink enough water during the day
One way to make sure you’re hydrated at night is to drink eight glasses of water per day. While you sleep, you lose water from your body, so it’s an excellent idea to drink a glass of water as soon as you wake up. Maintain steady intake of water and try to avoid drinking any fluids close to bedtime. You can even remind yourself to drink water via your smartphone with alarms or applications like RightLife to help you keep track of your water intake.
- Keep an eye on what you eat
Avoiding nighttime thirst often starts with paying close attention to your diet, especially in the hours leading up to bedtime. Certain foods and drinks can dehydrate you, making you feel thirsty during the night. To prevent this, opt for lighter, more hydrating foods in the evening. Incorporating water-rich fruits and vegetables like cucumbers, watermelon, or oranges can help maintain hydration levels.
- Maintain sleep hygiene
Creating a healthy sleep environment is crucial for avoiding nighttime thirst, and RightLife’s SleepRight program can help you achieve this. Start by keeping your bedroom cool, as excessive heat can lead to dehydration. Use a humidifier to maintain moisture in the air, preventing your mouth and throat from drying out, especially if you’re prone to mouth breathing or snoring. Ensure your bedding and sleepwear are breathable and comfortable, so you stay cool throughout the night.
Since you now understand how nighttime thirst works, you’ll be in a better position to fix it. Get your sleep back on track with our SleepRight program. Join RightLife today and stop feeling thirsty in the middle of the night!
