The Causes Of And Treatments For Excessive Sweating
Sweating is a natural bodily function which we use to regulate our body temperature. Sweating is perfectly normal, though if you tend to sweat in the absence of heat, physical exertion or nervousness or sweat excessively, you may have a condition known as hyperhidrosis. While this is a fairly common condition, the causes and the treatments for it are not nearly so common.
Sweat comes from our sweat glands. Every individual has between two and four million of these glands located in their skin. We're all born with our full complement of sweat glands, though most of them don't become fully active until puberty. The places where we tend to sweat the most shouldn't be a surprise: the palms, under the arms, feet, back and forehead. One interesting fact is that while men actually have fewer sweat glands than women, men's sweat glands tend to be more active.
Since sweating is how we maintain a stable body temperature, we sweat to keep our internal temperature cool when we're exposed to warm weather, during physical exertion and emotional stress. Diet also plays a role in what is called gustatory sweating, with foods and beverages which are heavily spiced or contain caffeine and alcohol tending to encourage sweating.
Noticeable sweating can also be a symptom of any number of illnesses, some serious and others not, such as an infection, low blood sugar, an overactive thyroid gland, or menopause. Withdrawal from alcohol or certain medications like narcotics may also cause sweating and also an elevated body temperature.
There is also a condition called anhidrosis where sweating is insufficient, even nonexistent. This is a rare but very serious condition which can be caused by severe damage to the skin (such as burns), dehydration, as a side effect of some drugs or by skin diseases, as well as the autoimmune disorder Guillain-Barre syndrome.
After an episode of excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis, change your clothing or your bed sheets if you've been sweating in your sleep. Take a shower and if you can, reduce the temperature of the room to help your body return to a normal temperature and prevent more sweating. For many, an antiperspirant containing 10% to 15% aluminum chloride hexahydrate can keep their underarm sweating under control.
You should also be sure to drink plenty of water during exercise and after sweating to help replenish the vital fluids you've lost. Dehydration can occur rather quickly and can also become a serious condition if not treated properly as soon as possible. Always call your doctor or health care provider if you're sweating profusely and can't explain why, especially if the sweating is accompanied by other symptoms like shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, and pain or pressure in the chest.
There are even a few medical treatments available for those who sweat excessively even when they haven't been performing physical activity or in a warm environment. Some medications can help to regulate sweating and electrolysis can also be used to shut down overactive sweat glands for a temporary period.
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