According to a recent article, although some perspiration is normal to have, if you are having regular episodes of excessive sweating it could be the sign of something more serious.
Hyperhidrosis
The medical term for excessive or extreme sweating is hyperhidrosis. It is a result of the sweat glands working improperly – they are unable to turn off. The condition effects around 15 million people in the United States alone, making it fairly common. Although it does not always mean there is an underlying medical condition, it is recommend seeing a doctor just in case.
How to Tell if it’s Normal Sweating or Not
It is perfectly normal to work up a bit of sweat, especially when temperatures start to rise in the summer or after a workout session. However, if you find yourself dripping in sweat when you are not doing anything physical, or after even the tiniest bit of exertion, then you may want to talk to your doctor.
Excessive Sweating Could Be a Sign of…
Diabetes
One reason you may find yourself sweating excessively is due to diabetes. Patients with any type of diabetes may experience low blood sugar occasionally, and a sign of blood sugar levels dropping is an increase in perspiration. In addition, diabetes can lead to nerve damage which can therefore lead to issues with the nerves that control the sweat glands. Finally, there are a few medications that are used for managing diabetes that have excessive sweating as a side effect.
Thyroid Disease
Hormone disruptions and issues with regulating one’s temperature are a result of thyroid disease. Therefore, any changes in a person’s thyroid hormone levels will cause issues with various body processes. An example of this is when a patient is diagnosed with hypothyroidism, which is when the thyroid does not make enough of the thyroid hormone, they might be cold when others are not. Moreover, a patient diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, which is when the thyroid produces too much of the thyroid hormone, they might feel hot in situations where others will not, and it will cause them to sweat profusely.
Menopause
Menopause causes estrogen and progesterone levels to change. As a result, internal thermostat is impacted, and the body has to learn how to regulate its temperature again. During this process, affected individuals might be subject to moments where they overheat and sweat excessively. These moments are often referred to as hot flashes.
Pregnancy
Another time when estrogen levels change is during pregnancy. They produce increased amounts of estrogen, along with various other hormone changes. These changes can lead to increases in body temperature, thus leading to an increase in sweating. This is seen most often during the beginning of a pregnancy.
Anxiety
Stress responses are triggered when you are anxious. These stress triggers set off an abundance of activity within your nervous system, which can therefore cause you sweat glands to overwork causing you to sweat.
Ways to Stop Extreme Sweating
If you are sweating only slightly more than usual, there are over-the-counter methods you can use to help. These methods include certain antiperspirants, medicated wipes, and antiperspirants that contain aluminum.
On occasions where a patient’s sweating is particularly extreme, doctors may recommend oral medications, injections (such as Botox), treatments that work on the sweat glands, and even in some cases, surgery is recommended.
However, the number one step to take when you find yourself sweating abnormally on a regular basis is to talk to your doctor. If the reason you are sweating more often is due to an underlying medical condition or medication, it is imperative that the issue is dealt with. Dealing with the issue that is causing the sweating will help alleviate it.
