Sweating is a natural bodily function that helps us cool down, especially during hot weather or after intense physical activity. It can also be triggered by emotional states such as anger or stress.
However, some individuals may find themselves sweating excessively compared to others. So, what causes this and when does excessive sweating become a concern?
According to Spire Healthcare, excessive sweating is quite common and usually begins in childhood or adolescence. The most affected areas are typically the face, armpits, groin, feet, hands, or scalp.
This condition can occur without any apparent reason but can also be triggered by stress or certain foods or drinks. There are also some medical conditions that can cause excessive sweating, some of which can be potentially life-threatening, reports Surrey Live. Here’s what the healthcare firm had to say about it:
How much sweat is too much?
On average, a person sweats between 500ml and 700ml during regular daily activities. This amount might increase if the weather is particularly hot or if you’re more active than usual.
As Spire Healthcare points out, “As you can’t easily measure how much you’re sweating, it can be hard to say exactly how much sweat is too much. However, you may be sweating an excessive amount if you:
- Are self-conscious about how much you sweat
- Need to deal with sweat a lot during the day eg need to change your clothes or wash a lot
- Often sweat through your clothes
- Tend to be prone to skin infections
“You’re also at greater risk of excessive sweating if other members of your family sweat excessively.”
Causes of excessive sweating and treatment?
Primary focal hyperhidrosis
It says: “One of the most common causes of excessive sweating, primary focal hyperhidrosis, isn’t a sign of a serious illness. This condition usually manifests as symmetrical excessive sweating, meaning that it will happen on both sides of your body eg both hands. It most commonly causes excessive sweating under the arms.
“It isn’t clear what causes primary focal hyperhidrosis but it’s thought to be a problem in the nervous system that’s passed on genetically. It causes the body to produce sweat when it isn’t needed to cool you down.”
Thyroid issues
Thyroid issues are also highlighted by Spire Healthcare, which explains: “The thyroid is a gland in your neck that produces thyroid hormones. These hormones are vital to a range of processes that occur in your body, including controlling your energy levels, internal temperature, metabolism, weight, and skin, hair and nail growth.
“If you have an underactive thyroid, it’s more likely that you will be sensitive to heat and experience excessive sweating. This is made worse by the fact that an underactive thyroid is more likely to result in you being overweight or obese, which can make you more prone to feeling hotter.
“If you experience symptoms of a thyroid disorder or have a family history of thyroid problems, it is important to get your thyroid checked via blood tests. Your doctor will then let you know whether you need treatment for an underactive thyroid, which will consequently address your excessive sweating if this is the underlying cause.”
Diabetes
Diabetes, a condition that can be quite serious if left undiagnosed or poorly managed, has been linked to excessive sweating in various situations, Spire Healthcare points out.
- When you are sleeping
- When you eat certain foods
- When you have low blood sugar
It cautions: “Low blood sugar is the most common cause of excessive sweating due to diabetes. When your blood sugar levels drop too low, it causes your body to produce more adrenaline, which then causes sweating. This can happen during the day but can also cause night sweats when you have diabetes.
“Low blood sugar is the most common cause of excessive sweating due to diabetes. When your blood sugar levels drop too low, it causes your body to produce more adrenaline, which then causes sweating. This can happen during the day but can also cause night sweats when you have diabetes.
“Controlling your blood sugar levels if you’re diabetic will help you control any excessive sweating. When it comes to night sweats, altering your diet, and when you eat and exercise can help reduce these by better regulating your blood sugar levels while you sleep.”
Medication
Certain medications are also known to trigger excessive sweating. If you’ve started a new medication and notice an increase in sweating, this could be why, according to the healthcare provider.
It notes: “Certain antidepressants (eg selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants), opioid painkillers and cholinesterase inhibitors, which are used to treat dementia, can all cause excessive sweating. If you think that your medication could be the cause of your excessive sweating and you’re finding it uncomfortable, talk to your GP.”
Changes in hormone levels
Excessive sweating can be a sign of hormonal changes, according to the healthcare experts. “In women, hormone changes are experienced during pregnancy and during perimenopause, which occurs before the body goes through menopause.
“Changes in oestrogen levels affect how your body controls its temperature, which can lead to hot flushes and excessive sweating as your body works hard to cool you down. Hormone changes caused by pregnancy will balance out after birth and you should see your sweat levels return to normal.
“For sweating caused by perimenopause, wear cool and comfortable clothing, and keep your bedroom cool at night to help reduce how much you sweat.”
Way to diagnose and treat excessive sweating
If you’re struggling with excessive sweating that’s been ongoing for six months or more, hasn’t improved despite attempts to manage it, and is impacting your daily life and wellbeing, Spire Healthcare recommends consulting your GP. It notes: “If your sweating is caused by a medication, your GP may suggest an alternative.
“If diabetes is the culprit, they can discuss various techniques to better manage your blood sugar levels to avoid them getting low enough to cause sweating. If your heavy sweating is not caused by a medication or pre-existing condition, your GP may refer you for tests to assess what is causing it and find the right treatment. These include:
- Anti-sweating injections — this temporary solution lasts six to 12 months and involves injecting medication to stop the signal from your brain that tells your body to sweat from reaching your sweat glands
- Surgery called a sympathectomy — this involves removing a small amount of nervous tissue that makes up a structure called your sympathetic nerve chain
Night sweats
The NHS has highlighted that while it’s normal to sweat at night if the room or bedding is overly warm, persistent night sweats could be a cause for concern and warrant a discussion with your GP. The health service states: “Most people sweat during the night. If you regularly wake up with soaking wet sheets you should get it checked by a GP.”
It’s important to see a GP if:
- you have night sweats regularly that wake you up or worry you
- you also have a very high temperature (or feel hot and shivery), a cough or diarrhoea
- you have night sweats and you’re losing weight for no reason
Causes of night sweats
Night sweats can have various causes. These include:
- menopause symptoms (“hot flushes”)
- anxiety
- medicines, such as some antidepressants, steroids and painkillers
- low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia)
- alcohol or drug use
- a harmless condition called hyperhidrosis that makes you sweat too much all the time
However, they may also indicate something more serious like cancer, as the body attempts to fight off an infection. Leukaemia Care points out that the blood cancer can cause night sweats in several ways and stresses the importance of a thorough check-up. It says:
- Leukaemia puts you at a greater risk of developing infections because your body isn’t producing enough immune cells. During an infection, the body will automatically increase its temperature to help fight against infections, causing both fever and night sweats
- In the same way that your body naturally rises in temperature when fighting an infection, your body will rise in temperature in an attempt to kill the leukaemia cells. This is part of the “inflammatory response”
- After diagnosis, many treatments including chemotherapy can produce toxic by-products that can also lead to a raise in core body temperature.
The charity says: “Since there are multiple other conditions that can cause night sweats, a full examination by your GP is necessary to accurately determine the cause and rule out any serious underlying issues. If you are regularly waking up with your bed sheets drenched in sweat, you should certainly get it checked by a GP.
“Night sweats that occur due to leukaemia will usually be experienced alongside other symptoms such as fatigue, weight loss or excessive bruising. The night sweats may also present in the daytime as fever, or can lead to sleeping problems.”