Sweating is a natural and necessary process that regulates internal temperature. It is the body's way of cooling down when we are hot, exercising, or feeling anxious. However, excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis occurs when the body overproduces sweat for no clear reason. All body processes vary over time. This makes it difficult to determine if we're sweating abnormally. Excessive sweating may be its own medical condition or indicate other, more serious, conditions. It is important to monitor your perspiration and follow up with a physician if you have concerns.
The most common type of excessive sweating is Primary Focal Hyperhidrosis. Characterized by localized sweating, it is a benign medical condition that does not affect your health. This form of excessive sweating involves a specific area of the body. Typically, the underarms, groin, head, face, hands, or feet. It usually affects both sides of the body equally. Although this type of sweating does not impact your physical health, it leads to anxiety, stress, and embarrassment.
Secondary General Hyperhidrosis is generalized sweating. Rather than excessive sweating in a specific body part, the entire body sweats. It often occurs at night. Cases can be so severe that individuals soak their bedding. This type of excessive sweating results from a medical condition. It is important to consult with a physician immediately if you experience generalized excessive sweating.
People with excessive sweating have overactive sweat glands. This causes overproduction and they sweat with no connection to temperature, exertion level, or stress. Sweating excessively causes embarrassment and feelings of isolation. Despite these anxieties, it is important to monitor symptoms because excessive sweating can be a sign of greater health issues. In addition, numerous treatments exist for localized excessive sweating. Signs you may have excessive sweating include:
Localized excessive sweating has no clear causes. It is thought to be partially hereditary. Researchers also believe there may be a nervous system cause, but further study is necessary.
There are several possible causes for generalized excessive sweating. Because it most likely results from an underlying medical condition, it is important to speak with a doctor.
Localized excessive sweating does not have a cure, but there are several effective treatment options.
Generalized excessive sweating is managed by addressing the underlying medical condition. Once your doctor determines the cause of the excessive sweat and treats it, generalized sweating will resolve. For example, excessive sweating caused by hyperthyroidism is resolved with thyroid medication. Similarly, if excessive sweating is a side effect of a medication, your doctor may prescribe an alternative or adjust the dosage.
While excessive sweating causes embarrassment and anxiety, it is important to address the condition. Sweating across the entire body is a symptom of a more serious condition. Consultation with your doctor is necessary to resolve the underlying condition, with the added benefit of solving the excessive sweat problem. Localized excessive sweating causes stress that impacts social and works relationships. Fortunately, there are several effective treatment options. Ignoring excessive sweating is both unnecessary and potentially dangerous. It is important to be aware of changes in your body and address them quickly.