Introduction
When you hear the word sweat, all you can possibly think of is summer, workout, emotions or stress. Some people have sweaty hands and feet, while some people never sweat at all. However, there can be some people who suffer from excessive sweating, where they can sweat more than normal. This condition is medically referred to as Hyperhidrosis. This could get quite troublesome for some people, who tend to get a little conscious and embarrassed due to the excessive sweat that gets abruptly displayed on the clothes, or hinder any day-to-day activities.
This situation can be branched out into two different types, namely;
Focal hyperhidrosis: This type of excessive sweating can specifically occur in specific parts of the body. For example, excessive sweating on the soles and palms, which is medically termed as palmoplantar hyperhidrosis.
Generalised hyperhidrosis: This type of excessive sweating can occur all over the entire body.
Following are some of the most frequently asked questions about this medical condition. One can use this as a guide to clarify any doubts or book an appointment to consult with the doctor in case of any bothersome concern.
What is the reason for excessive sweating?
In general, the process of sweating is the body’s natural mechanism to cool itself down. The nervous system triggers the sweat glands automatically when the body temperature increases. For some people, sweating also occurs on their palms when they are nervous.
Many people suffer from primary focal hyperhidrosis which is the most common form of excessive sweating that affects the palms, soles, and at times the face. In this type, the nerves that are in charge of signalling the sweat glands tend to become quite overactive, even though there are no signs of triggers caused by physical activities or an increased temperature. When a person gets anxious, nervous or stressed, this problem could get worse. For this kind of hyperhidrosis, there has been no medical course till date. This can either run in the families or may have a hereditary factor.
On the other hand, secondary hyperhidrosis is caused due to underlying medical conditions and is known to be the less common type – causing sweat all over the body. Some of the conditions that might cause excessive sweating include:
● Diabetic problems
● Hot flashes due to menopause
● Thyroid disorders
● Very low blood sugar
● Particular kind of cancer
● Heart attack
● Disorders in the nervous system
● Infection
● Certain medications
● Drug addiction
When should I be worried about excessive sweating?
● Dripping wet under the arms or around the back
● Too much sweat that you feel the need to change your clothes
● Excessive sweating face that runs down through your forehead or cheeks
● Body odour
● Inflammation or itchiness
● Changes in the skin like discolouration, wrinkles, cracks or paleness
● Your socks become sweat or your hands has become slippery
● Residue that leaves visible marks on clothes
● Night sweats phone no obvious reason
● Disrupt your every day routine
● Brings about a social withdrawal or emotional discomfort
● Sudden excessive sweating than usual
● The soles of your feet may become unusually soft or disintegrated
Is there a disease that causes excessive sweating?
Well, to be honest, there are chances that this may be due to a particular type of cancer. Studies say that excessive sweating may also be linked to early signs of cancer like bone cancer or liver cancer. However, do not jump to any conclusions without consulting a doctor and getting a further diagnosis. An underlying disease is only diagnosed when every other possible cause gets ruled out.
Does sweating a lot mean heart problems?
Sometimes, sudden excessive sweating could be an early sign of heart problems. Let us crack this down. When your heart is pumping blood through clogged arteries, your body tends to sweat profusely in order to lower your temperature during this additional exertion. Although this cannot be guaranteed without proper diagnosis, it is recommended to consult with a doctor at the earliest. Some of the other symptoms that could come along with excessive sweating during a heart attack are;
● Shortness of breath
● Fatigue
● Night sweats
● Nausea
● Dizziness
● Sharp pain or pressure on the chest
Is excessive sweating healthy?
A lot of people think that sweating a lot has a weight loss effect on their body and hence come to the conclusion that excessive sweating is healthy. It should be understood that sweating and losing weight are connected in no way. If you feel that you are sweating excessively, the first thing you need to do is to get yourself checked to find out this unusual occurrence. Furthermore, sweating excessively can also cause issues like dehydration, and hence it’s not a sign of a healthy lifestyle. Book your appointment at Tamira now to find out the cause of your excessive sweating and get yourself treated amongst the best set of treatment options like MiraDry, Neuromodulator injection(Botox) and Laser by our board-certified doctors.
