Sweating is your body’s natural way of cooling down when there’s a rise in temperature or during physical activity. You’re also likely to sweat when you’re feeling afraid or nervous. However, it can be problematic if you’re sweating excessively and aren’t hot or active. This condition is commonly known as hyperhidrosis, which often involves heavy sweating from all body parts, including the underarms, hands, feet, head, face, and groin.
Excessive sweating not caused by an underlying medical condition is called primary hyperhidrosis, while secondary hyperhidrosis is caused by something else like a medical condition. While there’s no permanent cure for hyperhidrosis, there are effective treatment options for managing excessive sweating, such as the MiraDry treatment. Knowing what’s causing you to sweat excessively can ensure proper diagnosis and effective treatment. Here are some of the common causes of excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis:
1. Menopause
Hot flashes that occur during menopause is one of the common causes of excessive sweating. Sweating can also occur during the transitional period before getting into menopause. As your body gets ready for menopause, you often experience changes in hormonal levels, such as progesterone and estrogen, affecting your temperature control ability.
When your body’s temperature regulation is affected, you experience feelings of sudden flushing, warmth, and heavy sweating. The frequency of menopause-related sweating differs significantly from person to person. Some people may experience occasional sweating, while it can be too much for others, affecting their daily lives.
2. Pregnancy
Another common cause of excessive sweating is pregnancy. Abnormal sweating is often one of the early signs of pregnancy that most women notice, while others experience it in their third trimester or even postpartum. You may sweat excessively when pregnant due to the sharp increase in hormones and blood flow.
Increased blood flow typically makes you feel warmer, causing you to sweat more than before you became pregnant. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can also lead to increased production of thyroid hormones, making you sweat excessively. You’re likely to experience postpartum sweating as your body releases the extra fluid you used to carry during pregnancy. Night sweating is also common as your body gets back to balance during the postpartum period.
3. Diabetes
Excessive sweating is often one of the primary symptoms of diabetes. If you have diabetes, you may sweat profusely when your blood sugar level gets low. That’s because low blood sugar triggers a fight-or-flight response, resulting in the release of hormones, such as adrenaline, known to cause heavy sweating.
Diabetes may also cause excessive sweating by raising your blood sugar levels. Prolonged periods of high blood sugar can lead to nerve damage, a condition known as neuropathy. This damage can happen to nerves in different parts of your body, including the nerves that control your sweat glands. If your sweat gland’s nerves get damaged, you may experience abnormal sweating. If your hyperhidrosis stems from your diabetes, it’s crucial that you see a doctor to help balance your blood sugar and manage your condition to reduce your sweating.
Endnote
Excessive sweating can be caused by many things, including medical conditions. While there’s no cure, it’s important to seek medical attention if you notice that you sweat profusely for no reason because it could be caused by an underlying medical condition. Getting a proper diagnosis and treatment can help reduce your sweating and discomfort.
