There's nothing like building up a good sweat, right? While sweating during exercise is common and healthy for your body, when you begin to start sweating under other circumstances, it becomes a problem. Especially when it involves your hands, feet and armpits. Not only is excessive sweating uncomfortable, other people may judge you. Especially when the weather is cooler. Who wants to have to explain that you have an excessive sweating condition to someone else? So rather than you resorting to hiding inside, we're sharing what can cause excessive sweating and a few ways you can take care of it. So read on to take control over your body and your life.
The medical term for sweating excessively is called hyperhidrosis. It basically means that you can sweat excessively anywhere at any time. What makes hyperhidrosis worse is that we have millions of sweat glands all over our body, including on our hands, feet and armpits. Normally, these glands allow for the natural process of thermoregulation. What this means is that when the body gets too hot, your hormones stimulate the sweat glands to release sweat. The sweat in turns evaporates and helps cool your body.
When it's a really hot day or you're exercising a lot, the ability to sweat is extremely helpful. But when it starts happening for no reason and even on cold days, it seems gross and embarrassing. It's especially worse when it happens to your hands because you can't hide it. It’s important to note that there are two types of hyperhidrosis: primary focal hyperhidrosis and secondary generalized hyperhidrosis. The vast majority of people that suffer from hyperhidrosis have the first type. This is a genetic condition that usually begins around childhood or adolescence. Secondary generalized hyperhidrosis is caused by external factors. Let’s examine the reasons that can cause this type of hyperhidrosis.
Unfortunately, cancer causes a lot of other side effects than just a deadly disease. Sometimes cancer can also cause excessive sweating. The reasons aren't really known but it's most likely due to fluctuating hormones and your body's response to fight off cancer. Excessive sweating might also be an early sign of cancer. These types of cancer are most commonly associated with sweating:
Carcinoid tumors Leukemia Lymphoma Bone cancer Liver cancer MesotheliomaDon't panic just yet: there are many reasons besides cancer that can cause excessive sweating.
Everything you do has some sort of an effect on you. So the reason why you're experiencing uncomfortable sweating might just be something you're doing. There are some common lifestyle factors that can cause excessive sweating like drinking alcohol and eating spicy foods. Also, drinking hot beverages, especially before bedtime can also cause you to sweat.
Don't forget to check the temperature. A hot day or night can trigger a lot of sweat and so can having your thermometer too high. It's a smart idea to start becoming aware of when your sweaty symptoms start to arrive. Did you just eat or drink something? Are the current conditions where you are too hot? Did you just exercise? Sometimes we get so focused on life that we forget to take notice that our own actions can be contributing to some conditions we don't like. Take care of yourself and listen to what your body is telling you.
Medications have all sorts of side effects. And excessive sweating might be one of them. If you recently started on a new medication and you're noticing that you're sweating much more than usual, it could be your medication. Here's a list of medications that can cause excessive sweating. Just be aware that not all of these drugs can or will cause you to sweat a lot. But if you are, check with your doctor to see if that's a possible side effect.
Psychiatric drugs Blood pressure medications Medicines for dry mouth Antibiotics SupplementsWhen your thyroid isn't working properly, a whole host of problems can arise from struggles with a rapid heart rate and fatigue to excessive sweating. Hypothyroidism is a serious condition and should be checked out by your doctor. There are a number of causes for this condition and fortunately, also a number of treatment options.
There are other medical conditions that also cause excessive sweating. While not all of them are serious and some may be temporary, it's still a smart idea to ensure you're completely healthy. Here are a few other medical reasons for excessive sweating:
Menopause Pregnancy Diabetes Infectious diseases Parkinson's disease Rheumatoid arthritis Stroke Heart failure Auto immune diseasesIf you suffer from primary focal hyperhidrosis, an iontophoresis machine is highly recommended. Iontophoresis is a treatment that has been in use since the 1940s. It's an effective tool against excessive sweating that isn't being treated with prescription antiperspirants. Studies show that up to 91% of patients who use iontophoresis find relief. There are also no serious side effects and is relatively easy to use. Most patients need to use the machine for 15-40 minutes each time.
If you tried an iontophoresis machine and it didn’t work, it’s probably that you’re suffering from a secondary generalized hyperhidrosis. In this case, please schedule an appointment with your physician to see what might be causing your sweating.
Don't let excessive sweating dominate your life. You have options. It’s time to take you life back from hyperhidrosis.