Causes of excessive sweating: sweating is a disease

Sweating (hyperhidrosis) is a natural physiological process characteristic of all warm-blooded living organisms. It performs a number of vital functions: regulates heat exchange and maintains optimal water-salt balance. But heavy sweating is a symptom of one of the dangerous diseases.

How and why sweat occurs

The content of the article

When overheated, sweat glands begin to release fluid to the surface of the skin, thereby reducing body temperature. Water-salt balance is needed to maintain a constant level of electrolytes and ions in the intracellular fluid. Blood plasma also has a salt composition, but in a slightly different concentration.

The main regulator of sweating is the hypothalamus, a region of the brain that sends signals to various parts of the endocrine system, in particular the sweat glands.

Thus, with an increase in the concentration of salts in the blood plasma and a decrease in the volume of intercellular fluid (workout, visiting a sauna, staying in the sun), the signal is processed by the hypothalamus, which reacts by creating a feeling of thirst.

When body temperature rises, regardless of whether it is external influence (overheating) or internal processes (fever), thermoreceptors reflexively react to this and signal the hypothalamus. It activates the work of more than 2.5 million sweat glands, and they begin to secrete sweat-fat secretion.

What kind of sweating is considered normal: norms, smell

Normally, even at rest, women secrete about 500 ml. sweat, in men - 700-1000 ml. During illness, when body temperature rises, about 3000 ml of sweat is produced per day. Such losses must be compensated, otherwise unpleasant consequences will arise - dehydration.

In addition to reactions to temperature, sweating is psychogenic in nature. Thus, apocrine glands located in the armpits, groin, and genital area are activated at the moment of emotional arousal, when an object of the opposite sex appears, during a quarrel or an increase in the emotional and mental background

The composition of the sweat from these glands is more concentrated, it contains enzymes that have a strong odor. However, it does not cause rejection, but carries genetic information. These are so-called pheromones, which help to choose a person who is suitable from a genetic point of view.

The unpleasant odor of sweat is due to the fact that the sweat of the subcutaneous sweat glands, eccrine glands, can destroy the keratin that covers the top layer of the skin. Microorganisms living on the epidermis begin to feed on softened keratin and multiply, releasing decay products. This is what causes the unpleasant odor.

It is especially active in the area of ​​apocrine glands, so it is important to maintain hygiene standards. Usually, taking a shower or using wet wipes solves the problem of excessive sweating, but in some cases, hyperhidrosis becomes pathological and indicates serious problems in the body.

I’m embarrassed to ask: why do I sweat a lot? An endocrinologist tells how to deal with this

In the “I’m embarrassed to ask” section, we collect questions that Belarusians are usually embarrassed to ask friends and professionals, but often Google. Today, an endocrinologist explains why we sometimes sweat a lot and how to sweat less.

Elena Mikhailovna Myslivchik , endocrinologist, 1st category

► Why do people sweat?

We sweat to cool our body, a process called thermoregulation. The hypothalamus maintains normal body temperature on average from 35.5 to 37 ° C and catches signals from receptors in the skin and internal organs: if it is cold, it causes trembling and constriction of blood vessels, and if it is hot, it turns on the sweating mechanism. The skin, covered with perspiration, cools the surface of the body and protects from overheating during stress, unfavorable external conditions, sports, etc.

► Why do many people sweat a lot, even when they are not hot?

This can occur reflexively during emotional experiences, pain, ingestion of hot or spicy food, alcohol and a number of chemicals . Wearing tight clothes and shoes made of synthetic materials, staying in stuffy rooms with high air humidity, and improper drinking conditions also increases sweating . All this is physiological hyperhidrosis, a protective function of the body from overheating.

► Why do we sweat when we're nervous? And how can you sweat less in such situations?

Stress sweating is an instant reaction of the body to emotional stimuli, be it excitement, joy or fear. Such sweat can be released over the entire surface of the human body, but the maximum concentration of sweat glands is concentrated in the face, palms, feet and armpits. Unlike regular sweating, associated, for example, with hot weather, stress occurs much faster.

In such situations, proper prevention of stress will help you sweat less in such situations: auto-training, breathing exercises, yoga, swimming . Help from a psychologist or psychotherapist would also be helpful. And, of course, personal hygiene and the use of products that protect against sweat are important.

► Why do I sweat a lot when I sleep?

This is called nocturnal hyperhidrosis. It may be a symptom of one of the diseases: fever, infection, hypoglycemia in diabetics, hormonal disorders, menopause.

But often night sweats occur due to high temperature and poor ventilation of the room, synthetic or hot pajamas and bed linen. People also sweat a lot in their sleep if they have previously consumed alcohol, coffee, spicy, smoked and very salty foods.

► What degree of sweating is normal?

A healthy person, even at rest and at a comfortable ambient temperature, produces about 500–700 ml of sweat per day . With high levels of activity, stress or heat, the figure can increase to 2-3 liters.

► If I sweat more than normal, will it harm my body?

If your entire body sweats profusely, this may be a sign of one of a number of diseases, most often related to the endocrine system. This situation requires contacting a specialist for timely diagnosis. In addition, severe sweating can lead to dehydration and salt imbalance.

► Is there a standard for how often you should wash off sweat?

Ideally, if you sweat excessively, you should shower twice a day - morning and evening. At the same time, it is undesirable to use soap and a washcloth every time: too intensive washing harms the natural protective mechanism of the skin.

► And if there is irritation on the skin from sweat - how to treat it?

Most types of rashes and irritations from sweat are a natural reaction to the irritant. If a person is sensitive to perfumes or fragrances, or prone to eczema, they should use antiperspirants and unscented body care products.

You can use an emollient or moisturizer to help maintain the skin's natural balance. Personal hygiene is required; it is good to take a contrast shower with hot and cold water, without heat. If more serious skin manifestations occur, consult a doctor.

► They say blocking sweat is harmful. This is true?

Not really. The main task of sweating is thermoregulation, which can be achieved in other ways. Sweat glands remove very few toxins, and if we close some pores, we do not harm the body: the kidneys are much better at removing toxins.

There is no need to be afraid of blocking pores in one place; the body compensates for everything through another part of the body.

► What is the difference between deodorant and antiperspirant?

Deodorant is a means of masking the smell of sweat. Antiperspirant blocks sweating and affects apocrine sweat glands. There are also antiperspirant deodorants - 2 in 1, universal products that not only reduce sweating, but also remove odor.

The main active ingredient of any antiperspirant is aluminum salts, or aluminum chlorides. They block the gland ducts. Conventional products contain only 2-3% of such salts, but in special medical products their amount is usually five times higher than the norm, so they need to be used only a few times a week.

►What about natural mineral deodorants?

Mineral deodorants contain crystals of natural mineral salt, which makes them an excellent alternative to the artificial substances that are part of our usual deodorants. This is nothing more than “aluminum-potassium alum,” which has long been sold in pharmacies and is used for various external inflammations and dermatitis, as they are a powerful natural antibacterial drug.

However, such deodorants are recommended for those with moderate sweating; people with increased secretion of sweat glands should look for other products.

► Which product is better to buy?

Everything is individual. The choice depends on the sensitivity of the skin: if it is prone to allergies, you need to choose more natural products. If you do not use the product constantly, but in special cases and you need to effectively block the sweat glands, you can use synthetic products. If there is a significant skin problem, it is better to consult a specialist and find a solution together.

And, of course, you need to choose not only an effective, but also a safe product. Antiperspirants often contain dangerous ingredients: aluminum, parabens, triclosans, propylenes and alcohol.

► Is it better to buy sprays, dry or roll-on deodorants?

This is all individual, rely on your preferences and skin characteristics. Roller (liquid) takes a long time to absorb and must be applied long before putting on clothes. Hard (dry) is applied quickly and does not leave a wet mark, but it contains alcohol, which can cause dryness and irritation of the skin. The spray will not leave wet marks on clothes, but it is not very economical.

► Is it necessary to use such means?

If sweating causes severe discomfort, affects your psychological state, interferes with leading a socially active life, or irritates the skin, it is advisable to use them.

► How to use them correctly?

Antiperspirants should only be applied to clean, dry skin. It is better to do this at night: the sweat glands are less active, and this helps to block the ducts more effectively.

► Super products with silver ions are often advertised. Are they not dangerous?

It is important to remember that you can use such products no more than once every 5-6 days. They are very effective against profuse sweating and last quite a long time.

► How do they work?

They block the pores at the site of application, causing sweat to be redirected to other parts of the body.

► Botox is sometimes injected into the armpits to reduce sweating. Is this normal or harmful to the body?

Local hyperhidrosis is usually treated in this way: most often in the armpits and palms. The principle of action of botulinum toxin is that the nerve impulses that provoke the work of the sweat glands are blocked, which is why sweat simply stops being released. And what’s good is that this procedure is effective for a long time – up to 6–8 months.

This method is quite safe and effective, provided that the procedure is performed by an experienced and certified specialist.

► Should it be done only when indicated?

Of course, this should not be done on a whim, and usually in centers where it is performed, the patient first undergoes an examination. If he does not have chronic diseases, such as diabetes, but simply has hyperhidrosis, then this procedure is indicated and quite effective.

► Is hyperhidrosis a congenital disease?

Hyperhidrosis is often a congenital feature of the body, in which a person has an increased number of sweat glands. In this case, it is usually hereditary. But often hyperhidrosis appears as a consequence of some disease.

► How to diagnose it?

If you notice that you are sweating a lot, go to the doctor. He will carefully collect your medical history, examine you and, if necessary, conduct additional tests to understand whether this is a congenital feature or a consequence of the disease.

Upon examination, the degree of hyperhidrosis can be determined. A mild degree is characterized by wet palms and face, a moderate degree is characterized by drops of sweat, and a severe degree is characterized by streams of sweat flowing down the skin.

► Can it be cured?

Congenital characteristics of the body cannot be completely cured, but there are methods of prevention. The work of the sweat glands is always provoked by something, and if these factors are eliminated, there will be much less sweat. Of course, you can also use cosmetic and beauty products and procedures, such as antiperspirants and Botox.

► And if it is not treated, what will be the consequences?

This could be everything that we have already talked about: skin irritation, unpleasant secondary diseases, such as fungal diseases, psychological discomfort, secondary skin lesions. All this worsens a person’s quality of life and social activity.

► Is it possible to understand from sweat and its amount that there are health problems?

Can. You should be wary if sweating does not go away in fairly cool weather, if there is noticeably more sweat, if the intensity of the odor has changed, if sweat leaves stains of an atypical color on clothes. Here are the main conditions in which secondary hyperhidrosis develops:

1. Endocrine diseases and conditions: increased thyroid function (hyperthyroidism), pheochromocytoma, diabetes mellitus, acromegaly, menopause, etc.

2. Pathology of the nervous system and psycho-emotional sphere: vegetative-vascular dystonia, panic attacks, phobic disorders, Parkinson's disease, polyneuropathy, stroke, etc.

3. Infectious diseases: tuberculosis, malaria, brucellosis, helminthiasis, sepsis, AIDS, etc.

4. Diseases of the cardiovascular system: coronary heart disease, hypertension, etc.

5. Kidney diseases.

6. Tumor diseases.

7. Genetic diseases.

8. Alcoholism, the effects of narcotic substances, poisoning with mushrooms, organophosphorus compounds.

All this is very individual, and it is better to go to a therapist with such a problem first, who will assess your condition and refer you to the right specialist.

► Are the mechanisms of sweating different in women and men?

A little. Although women have more eccrine sweat glands than men, they generally sweat less because men's glands are more active.

But at the same time, in women, the apocrine glands are more often activated due to, for example, menopause, hormonal imbalances, and pregnancy. And women tend to be more emotional, which makes them more susceptible to stress.

► What should the normal smell of sweat be like?

This is all very individual. Sweat itself has no odor; what we smell is influenced by other factors: the characteristics of the body, how much a person ate spicy, smoked and fatty foods, how a person takes care of himself, etc. Also, the smell can appear when apocrine glands, secreting a certain secretion, work more actively.

► Why do some people's feet sweat, but do not smell, while others develop a pungent odor?

The feet are an area of ​​the body that is constantly exposed to mechanical stress, which is why there are more dead skin cells there. They mix with sweat and give off a specific smell. But those who do not maintain good hygiene will have more smelly feet. Again, poor-quality tight shoes, synthetic socks, and infrequent changes of socks increase the unpleasant odor.

► That is, if your feet suddenly start to smell sharp, you need to pay attention to your shoes and hygiene?

Yes, but these can also be secondary diseases, for example a fungal infection of the skin, for which you need to go to a dermatologist.

► Is it generally bad when your feet sweat?

The feet of absolutely healthy people also sweat if they wear shoes that are not appropriate for the season, wear synthetic socks or shoes made of non-natural materials. Sweating feet, left without proper attention, always leads to consequences - bacterial and fungal infections, skin injuries.

When all provoking factors have been excluded, and sweating causes discomfort, consult a doctor: he will prescribe an examination and determine the true cause.

► What to do if your palms constantly sweat?

Constantly sweaty palms are most often the result of some kind of disease: endocrine pathology, diabetes, infection. Of course, all this needs to be treated.

Another common cause of sweaty palms is psychogenic factors, such as stress. In this case, you need to start correcting the person’s emotional sphere and go to the doctor about it.

► Should I use foot deodorant?

Why not? If you feel discomfort due to sweat, use it for your health. The problem of leg hyperhidrosis is one of the biggest, which is why there are so many products on the market: creams, ointments, antiperspirants, sprays, powders. In addition, this way we prevent the appearance of secondary bacterial and fungal diseases.

► I often go to the sauna, is it harmful?

This is a trick question. In a sauna, a person produces a fairly large amount of sweat, and this sweat removes waste and toxins from the body. In general, the sauna is considered quite beneficial for the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, and in addition, it is a good way to relax and enjoy the procedure, but it is not useful for everyone.

It is better to avoid it for people with hypotension, hypertension, those who have recently suffered a heart attack, people with skin diseases - high temperatures can cause aggravation. It is also dangerous for people with kidney disease because they are at higher risk of dehydration.

► Is it true that if you sweat, your cold will go away faster?

Not really. This method can lead to dehydration, which can worsen bacterial and viral infections.

Reproduction of CityDog.by materials is possible only with the written permission of the editors. Details here.

More on this topic:

What (not) to eat to avoid wrinkles and age spots: remember this list of products

I'm shaking with anger and powerlessness! This psychological reminder will help you come to your senses

Do you also have these symptoms? How to understand that you are having a nervous breakdown - explains a psychologist

What does increased sweating indicate?

Hyperhidrosis is not always a pathology. Sweating affects obese and overweight people, women in the premenopausal period, and teenagers. There is nothing abnormal about this. Men sweat 2 times more intensely than women, people with African roots have a genetic predisposition to hyperhidrosis, and in summer the intensity of sweating increases regardless of gender and age.

Professional athletes who train 5-6 hours a day, even after taking a shower and completely changing clothes, continue to sweat intensely for some time after physical activity, and this is not a deviation from the norm.

Some people don’t see anything wrong with sweating; it doesn’t irritate them, although those around them suffer from it.

We should talk about pathology when the problem not only interferes with the person who has it, but also affects social connections. Sweat has a rather complex composition, which includes lactic and uric acids, ammonia, and various salts. As a result of exposure to the epidermis, bacteria are activated, which feed on softened keratin particles. This is precisely the reason for the specific vinegar smell of sweat.

In principle, it is enough for a healthy person to regularly change his underwear and take a shower daily so that the unpleasant smell of sweat is not heard. Apocrine glands secrete a substance with an individual odor depending on health, age and fertility.

In unhealthy people, it becomes intense and repulsive to others. Moreover, standard preventive measures (changing underwear, using antiperspirants, showering twice a day) do not bring any results.

Sweating for no apparent reason indicates pathological processes in the body, among which there are life-threatening pathologies. In particular, hyperhidrosis is characteristic of impaired hemostasis - the optimal level of hormones. This happens when there is a malfunction of the hypothalamus, a small area of ​​the brain that controls the endocrine system.

The most famous example of disturbances in the functioning of the hypothalamus is menopause - the attenuation of a woman’s reproductive functions. During this period, the hypothalamus sends incorrect signals, the endocrine systems experience disruption and react with involuntary activation of the sweat glands - the so-called hot flashes.

In addition to menopause, hyperhidrosis occurs in case of other disorders.

Sweat PROTECTION

As a rule, the main reasons why sweating can bother a person is an unpleasant odor or the sheer amount of fluid released. You can control these moments yourself.

1. Shower daily.

Regular hygiene procedures with cleansing products (soap, shower gel) significantly reduce the formation of bacteria.

2. Choose suitable clothes.

In everyday life, clothes made from natural fabrics are perfect for the season, and for training, the choice is expanded due to special synthetic compounds that are designed to remove excess sweating:

• Dry-Fit is breathable and moisture-wicking—suitable for any workout, especially indoors.
• Gore-Tex has micro-perforations that allow sweat to escape while keeping water out—great for running in bad weather.
• Space Frame provides air flow to the surface of the body and at the same time pushes moisture out - the body is dry and warm, and at the same time continues to breathe. This technology works well in cool weather.
• Heat Pipe does the opposite, it cools. Sweat is brought to the surface of the fabric and begins to evaporate from it. Some of the lost moisture is later absorbed back, turning into a coolant. This option is suitable for hot days.

3. Try relaxation techniques.

Yoga, meditation and breathing practices can reduce stress levels, and with it sweating.

4. Make changes to your diet.

Caffeine-containing drinks, hot, spicy and pungent-smelling foods affect the smell of sweat. Eliminating them from your diet may help.

5. Use affordable cosmetics.

The most common of them - antiperspirant and deodorant - are actually aimed at solving two different problems.

Deodorant is designed to mask odor and often has bactericidal properties: it kills germs and prevents them from multiplying. It does not affect the amount of sweat in any way.

Antiperspirant blocks the process of fluid secretion itself. In the first case, the product protects against odor, and in the second, it protects against the appearance of sweat in general.

For a long time, antiperspirants were, as they say, under suspicion - cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and impaired thermoregulation and metabolism were associated with their use. Some early studies found a similar connection.

However, scientists have thoroughly studied the effects of antiperspirants through hundreds of studies. As a result, at the moment there is no proven connection between the use of antiperspirants and an increased risk of diseases or pathological conditions .

The only point that was noticed was an increase in the likelihood of local inflammatory processes. As a rule, these occur in cases where an antiperspirant is used without carrying out preliminary hygiene procedures. An additional factor can be skin damage, such as razor cuts.

General rules for the use of deodorants and antiperspirants

• Apply only to clean, dry, undamaged skin (do not apply after shaving).
• Thoroughly rinse off the product after the need to mask sweat has expired (when you arrive home or work).
• Use the scrub for the armpit area as well.
• Choose products with the most natural composition.

Now you know that sweating is necessary, and you can reduce the unpleasant consequences of sweating with a set of simple actions. You can safely choose your favorite intense workout and make sure that your body is doing its job perfectly.

References: 1.Sweating, US National Library of Medicine 2. Siegbert Rieg, Heiko Steffen, Silke Seeber, Andreas Humeny, Hubert Kalbacher, Klaus Dietz, Claus Garbe and Birgit Schittek, Deficiency of Dermcidin-Derived Antimicrobial Peptides in Sweat of Patients with Atopic Dermatitis Correlates with an Impaired Innate Defense of Human Skin In Vivo 3. Margaret E. Sears, Kathleen J. Kerr, and Riina I. Bray, Arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, and Mercury in Sweat: A Systematic Review 4. Genuis SJ, Beesoon S, Birkholz D, Lobo RA, Human excretion of bisphenol A: blood, urine, and sweat (BUS) study. 5. Genuis SJ, Birkholz D, Rodushkin I, Beesoon S., Blood, urine, and sweat (BUS) study: monitoring and elimination of bioaccumulated toxic elements. 6. BWL Brooksbank, R. Brown, JA Gustafsson, The detection of 5α-androst-16-en-3α-ol in human male axillary sweat 7. Claire Wyart, Wallace W. Webster, Jonathan H. Chen, Sarah R. Wilson , Andrew McClary, Rehan M. Khan and Noam Sobel, Smelling a Single Component of Male Sweat Alters Levels of Cortisol in Women 8. Sweating and body odor, Mayo Clinic 9. PD Darbre, Aluminum and the human breast, General review, June 2021 10. Investigating the Suitability of the two materials – Dri‐FIT and Cotton – in Singapore's Weather Conditions National Weather Study Project 2009, Ang Yu Jia, Low Jing Wen, Low Wei‐Ning Raelynn, Tammy Wong Ying Qi and Tan Bao Xuan 11. 210Po secretion from sweat glands. Romańczyk G1, Boryło A2. November 2021 12. Allam MF, Breast Cancer and Deodorants/Antiperspirants: a Systematic Review. 13. Stephanie Watson, Antiperspirant Safety: Should You Sweat It? 14. If exposure to aluminum in antiperspirants presents health risks, its content should be reduced. 15. Prashant Mehta, Pranjit Santonu Bhajoni, Swati Pabbi Mehta, Fighting cancer through an informed society.

Increased sweating in thyroid diseases

Sweating is characteristic of hyperthyroidism, characterized by an increase in the production of thyroid hormones and the development of intoxication.

In addition to increased, causeless sweating, symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:

• sudden weight loss
• drowsiness
• swelling in the neck area
• tachycardia
• irritability and nervousness
• diabetes. Under the influence of sugar in the blood, blood vessels and nerve connections are destroyed, but not throughout the body, but only in certain areas. The scalp, arms, neck and chest sweat especially heavily in diabetes.

Sweating is also characteristic of hypoglycemia - a lack of glucose in the blood. This is caused by an increase in adrenaline levels, which is activated when there is a lack of sugar.

Botox therapy

Initially, botulinum toxins were created to eliminate the consequences of strokes and neuritis in patients. Then botulinum toxin migrated to cosmetology: due to the relaxing effect it has on muscle tissue, botulinum toxin began to be used in the fight against wrinkles “from the inside.”

It should also be noted that the botulinum toxin injection procedure is safe - they do not affect the lymph nodes, blood vessels, muscles, but only combat the problem of increased sweating. However, for your own safety, you need to remember that the doctor must be a qualified specialist, and the clinic must have permission to work with this type of drug, issued by the manufacturer.

Contrary to popular belief, drugs from different companies do not differ from each other in terms of validity. More precisely, an adequate comparison of drugs is impossible, since they all have different concentrations of the substance and dosage methods.

There are no clear instructions on the dosage of the drug - the doctor relies on his own experience and developed standards. The procedure is slightly painful, so it is possible to use local anesthetics, for example, lidocaine cream. The duration of the procedure does not exceed 30 minutes.

First, the Minor test or iodine-starch test is performed, which allows identifying areas of the most increased sweating.

Pheochromocytoma - sweating due to adrenal tumors

Pheochromocytoma is a tumor of the adrenal gland that stimulates the production of catecholamines - adrenaline and norepinephrine. The disease is characterized by crises, during which panic attacks, tachycardia, nausea, gag reflex, and increased sweating are observed.

The attack is impossible not to notice, because it is accompanied by impaired cerebral circulation, trembling in the body and pulmonary edema. It lasts 2-3 minutes, but is extremely stressful for a person.

In the absence of an adrenal tumor, an increase in catecholamines is caused by heart disease, alcohol withdrawal, and refusal to take certain medications.

Excessive sweating is an alarming symptom

Different people have different sweat rates. When can you suspect a disease called hyperhidrosis?

“We can talk about hyperhidrosis - pathological sweating - when this condition causes noticeable discomfort and affects the quality of life,” says Alexander Kolesov. — Hyperhidrosis usually manifests itself in a person not only in the gym, but also in everyday life. For example, while climbing stairs, running after a bus, or under stress at work. Hyperhidrosis can accompany certain conditions.”

• Hyperthyroidism and thyrotoxicosis (improper functioning of the thyroid gland, increased levels of its hormones), diabetes mellitus
• Chronic inflammatory diseases
• Menopausal syndrome, first trimester of pregnancy
• Vegetative-vascular dystonia, anemia
• Taking medications that are excreted in sweat (some antifungal medications and antibiotics)
• Psycho-emotional disorders, neuroses

In any case, if you have hyperhidrosis, it is best to consult a therapist. After conducting the necessary examinations, he will prescribe you treatment or consultation with the right specialist.

Ovarian dysfunction

The pathology occurs in every 10th woman of reproductive age. This may be an ovarian cyst, but polycystic disease often occurs - a complex disease in which ovulation does not occur and the follicle begins to grow. Over time, the ovary becomes like a bunch of grapes due to the many cysts that form.

Hormonal imbalance and lack of female sex hormones lead to increased production of testosterone, the male sex hormone. It increases metabolism, causing increased sweating.

It is also promoted by autonomic disorders, accompanied by irritability, aggressiveness, and sleep disorders. Symptoms of ovarian dysfunction, in addition to sweating, are menstrual irregularities, weight changes, deterioration in health, increased hair growth, etc.

Night sweats in men

Nocturnal hyperhidrosis can be caused by specific, “male” reasons. For example, an imbalance of sex hormones. When the production of the hormone testosterone decreases with age, the effects of estrogens (female hormones) begin to manifest themselves in the male body.

In principle, they are always present in the male body, but their content is small compared to testosterone. But when its production is suppressed, estrogens begin to predominate and have their effect. Fever occurs in fits and starts, blood rushes to different parts of the body, and profuse sweating appears at night.

As a result of hormonal changes, external changes occur in the male body - hair turns gray and falls out, muscle mass is lost and fat accumulates, and one or another chronic pathology develops. All this is a transition period from mature age to old age (approximately 46–50 years).

Most men are very worried about this, to the point of developing fears, depression, and sleep disorders. The latter can be expressed in the form of painful nightmares, accompanied by heavy sweating.

Sweating and central nervous system diseases

The autonomic nervous system is controlled by centers in the medulla oblongata and spinal cord, and the center is located in the hypothalamus. Ganglia, sympathetic nerve ganglia, are located near the spine, and nerve impulses emanating from them travel along nerve fibers to various parts of the body. If there is a disturbance in the functioning of the central nervous system, increased sweating occurs, regardless of the cause of the malfunction.

But this is only a secondary sign, indicating more significant symptoms:

• with Parkinson's disease,
  a person's hands and head shake, muscles have increased tone, and their gait changes;
• a stroke
  is characterized by speech impairment, changes in facial expressions, and severe headache;
• with epilepsy,
  a person experiences convulsive seizures, during which hyperhidrosis occurs due to severe overexertion;
• with a concussion,
  loss of consciousness, nausea, and perspiration may appear on the forehead;
• injury to the hypothalamus
  manifests itself not only by increased sweating, but also by pressure surges, vascular problems, and sleep disturbances;
• hormonal changes.
  Teenagers tend to sweat a lot. This is due to a sharp hormonal surge, as well as intensive development of the whole organism and an increase in the functioning of most glands. There is nothing pathological about this, but sweating can cause discomfort for a teenager.

Causes of sweating

Causes of cold sweat

Increased sweating is often accompanied by a sharp cold snap and pale skin. A similar reaction normally occurs during severe emotional shocks, but more often the appearance of cold sweat is caused by pathological conditions:

• Migraine
  .
• Severe pain syndrome
  .
• Viral infections
  : mononucleosis, influenza.
• Critical conditions
  : hypoglycemia, acute cardiac or respiratory failure.
• Autonomic regulation disorders
  .
• Intoxication
  : alcohol abuse, formation of endogenous toxins in renal and liver failure.

Causes of general sweating

Excessive sweating over the entire skin is a normal reaction in hot climates, after intense physical activity. Persistent hyperhidrosis with no apparent cause is a sign of illness. Increased general sweating is caused by:

• Endocrine diseases
  : thyrotoxicosis, menopause in women, pheochromocytoma, etc.
• Infectious processes
  : brucellosis, malaria, HIV infection.
• Oncological pathology
  : lymphogranulomatosis, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, neoplastic syndrome.
• Poisoning
  : consumption of poisonous mushrooms, ingestion of organophosphorus compounds.
• Complications of pharmacotherapy
  : long-term use of cholinomimetics, anticholinesterase drugs.
• Rare causes
  : Riley-Day syndrome, Cassirer's acroasphyxia, polyneuropathy.

Causes of sweating head

Severe sweating in the face and scalp, accompanied by hot flashes or, conversely, severe pallor and coldness, develops in the presence of painful disorders. Local sweating of the head is caused by:

• Nightmares, sleep disturbances
  .
• VSD
  : increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system.
• Neurological disorders
  : Parkinson's disease, neurosyphilis, stroke.
• Hypertensive crises
  .
• Damage to the nerve trunks
  : chorda tympani syndrome, Lucy Frey auricotemporal syndrome.
• Genetic diseases
  : Beech, Jadasson-Lewandowski, Hamstorp-Wohlfahrt syndromes.

Causes of night sweats in women

Women are more susceptible to various pathological reactions of the autonomic nervous system and hormonal imbalances, so hyperhidrosis is more common in them. Excessive night sweats in women can be caused by the following diseases and conditions:

• Hormonal changes
  : a few days before menstruation, in the first trimester of pregnancy, in the premenopausal period.
• Neuropsychic pathology
  : multiple sclerosis, psychosis, depressive states.
• Systemic connective tissue diseases
  : rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus, rheumatism.
• Complications of pharmacotherapy
  : taking tranquilizers, antipsychotics, antihypertensive drugs.

Causes of night sweats in men

Normally, sweating increases at high temperatures in the bedroom when using synthetic bedding. Unreasonable release of large amounts of sweat, causing the pillow and sheets to get wet, indicates the possible presence of a pathological process. In men, night sweats are most often caused by conditions such as:

• Withdrawal syndrome:
  with abuse of alcoholic beverages and narcotic substances.
• Hormonal imbalances
  : in adolescence, middle and old age due to decreased testosterone levels.
• Endocrine diseases
  : carcinoid syndrome, pheochromocytoma, damage to the hypothalamic-pituitary system.
• Tuberculosis infection.
• Tumor
  and: testicular cancer, prostate cancer.
• Rare causes
  : sarcoidosis, histiocytosis.

Reasons for decreased sweating

A decrease in the secretion of sweat glands (anhidrosis), which occurs against the background of normal health, is observed in older people due to natural age-related changes in the skin. Sweat production is noticeably reduced in the following conditions and diseases:

• Severe dehydration:
  with limited water intake, repeated vomiting and diarrhea.
• Skin lesions
  : atrophic acrodermatitis, radiation dermatitis, scleroderma.
• Hereditary pathologies
  : Sjogren's disease, ectodermal dysplasia.
• Complications of pharmacotherapy
  : treatment with antiepileptic drugs, ganglio- and anticholinergic blockers.

Sweating during menopause and pregnancy

In women before menopause, the levels of progesterone and estrogen decrease and the amount of FSH increases. This is a rather long process; menopause does not occur in one day. Several years before the onset of hormonal changes, a woman feels changes at the physiological level: her body odor changes, she sweats more often, quickly gains weight and has difficulty losing it.

Gradually, the level of female sex hormones falls, and male sex hormones (androgens) are produced more than during the fertile period.

Sweating is not the biggest problem; it only indicates irreversible changes in the body. If a woman notices an unusual increase in sweating, she should contact an endocrinologist. The doctor will conduct all the necessary tests and prescribe hormone replacement therapy.

Also, increased sweating often occurs in pregnant women, especially in the 1st trimester. The reason is a sharp restructuring in the body caused by implantation of the embryo to the wall of the uterus. The hypothalamus actively stimulates the production of progesterone, while other hormones are produced in smaller volumes.

A characteristic feature is sweating of the feet, regardless of the intensity of physical activity or its absence. At the same time, in other parts of the body, dehydration and dry skin occurs, even to the point of peeling. This is not a pathology, and by the 2nd trimester, local hyperhidrosis appears much less pronounced.

Types of hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis can be local (localized) or generalized (generalized). When localized, increased sweating manifests itself in certain areas of the body, most often the armpits, palms, knees and elbows, and soles. Sweating may increase in one of these areas or in all of them together. This type of hyperhidrosis is usually caused by increased excitability of the nervous system, in some cases by heredity.

General hyperhidrosis is characterized by excessive sweating over almost the entire surface of the body. It can be physiological, associated with changes in hormonal levels - in adolescence, pregnancy, menopause, and also be a symptom of infectious diseases, functional disorders or diseases of the endocrine and nervous system.

Cardiovascular disease and sweat

They are also characterized by hyperhidrosis caused by activation of the central nervous system. Other symptoms, depending on the disease, include the following:

• for hypertension: increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, tinnitus, headaches, numbness of the hands;
• with coronary heart disease: pain behind the sternum (angina pectoris), inability to take a full breath, nausea and very profuse sweating;
• during myocardial infarction, perspiration covers the entire body, a feeling of fear arises, blood pressure drops, and the person feels very severe pain in the heart area;
• hyperhidrosis with thrombophlebitis occurs in advanced forms of blockage of the vein lumen;
• tachycardia occurs as a reaction to stress or fear, while a person’s adrenaline level increases, the body becomes covered in perspiration, and it becomes difficult to breathe. With tachycardia, there is heat in the head, but the hands remain cold;
• with vegetative-vascular dystonia, sweating is a reaction to stress, even the slightest one.

But with this pathology, the body mobilizes regardless of the reality of the situation. Often a person suffering from VSD experiences bouts of sweating and panic attacks completely unexpectedly: in the subway, in a crowd or in a quiet environment. In this case, hyperhidrosis is a side reaction to imaginary or real stress.

General recommendations

To avoid excessive sweating, it is necessary to maintain the air temperature in the bedroom within 18 degrees, not to overeat at night, to eat salty, hot, spicy foods in moderation, and not to overuse caffeine.

Preventive measures:

• careful adherence to hygiene rules - you should swim daily, and twice a day in the summer, regularly epilate the armpits and bikini area;
• It is better to use antibacterial soap;
• deodorants should not be applied to dirty skin;
• a contrast shower normalizes the functioning of the sweat glands and strengthens the immune system;
• take multivitamin complexes twice a year;
• shoes and clothing should be made from natural materials, you should always dress according to the weather;
• obese people need to get rid of extra pounds and spend more time in the fresh air.

If hyperhidrosis is accompanied by nausea, dizziness, decreased sleep and appetite, nosebleeds, painful and frequent urination, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Sweating helps avoid overheating, helps cleanse the body, and during training and hard work helps reduce the load on the kidneys. But if sweat is constantly released without the influence of external factors, you need to consult a doctor, since hyperhidrosis is a consequence of serious diseases.

Sweating due to infection

The vital activity of viruses and bacteria is accompanied by the production of pyrogens that affect the thermal sensitivity of neurons. During the period of exacerbation of an infectious disease, body temperature always rises significantly, which is why hyperhidrosis occurs. The virus is accompanied by muscle pain and body aches, the bacterial infection is accompanied by a skin rash and general toxicity.

Rheumatism is also infectious in nature. The patient's body temperature is constantly elevated, which causes severe sweating. Damage to joints and connective tissue prevents normal movement, but people sweat as if after intense training.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease that affects the mucous membranes. It is characterized by damage to the nerve roots located along the spine, which is expressed by a local increase in sweating.

Treatment

Help before diagnosis

To find out the cause of profuse sweating at night, a woman needs to visit a doctor. To reduce discomfort until the diagnosis is verified, you should follow several rules: ventilate the room before going to bed so that the temperature does not exceed 22° C, choose bed linen and pajamas made from natural fabrics, and avoid strong coffee and tea in the evening. Impressionable patients are advised to avoid evening viewing of horror films and heavy psychological dramas. Before going to bed, it is advisable to drink a cup of herbal tea (with chamomile, lemon balm, thyme).

Treatment of excessive sweating in women is carried out using medicinal and non-medicinal methods

Conservative therapy

Hyperhidrosis, caused by physiological fluctuations in hormones or emotional reactions, is successfully treated using psychotherapy and physiotherapeutic methods aimed at strengthening the body and stimulating the functioning of the nervous system. In other situations, it is necessary to prescribe medications, which are selected according to an individual scheme, based on the cause of night sweats. Typically treatment includes the following groups of drugs:

• Hormonal agents
  . Tablet estrogens are recommended for severe symptoms of menopause to reduce the frequency of hot flashes. Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is treated with insulin replacement therapy.
• NSAIDs
  . Used for infectious pathologies to eliminate fever. They also have a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect, therefore they are used as part of pathogenetic therapy.
• Tranquilizers
  . The drugs are indicated for depression and psychosis to normalize the mental state, eliminate anxiety and psychomotor agitation. The drugs are combined with sedative medications.
• Antibiotics
  . For bacterial infections, etiotropic therapy aimed at destroying the pathogen is effective. For ARVI, interferons and antiviral drugs can be prescribed.
• Cytostatics
  . Medicines in combination with radiotherapy are used in lymphoproliferative processes to destroy tumor cells. They are also recommended for severe connective tissue diseases.

Malignant and benign tumors

The center of thermoregulation is the hypothalamus, and tumors of any nature in this area cause hyperhidrosis. Sweating especially increases at night, regardless of the temperature in the room.

If this happens without explanation, then the following diseases can be assumed:

• histiocytic lymphoma (malignant lesion of lymphoid tissues);
• lymphocytic lymphoma (oncological damage to the lymph nodes);
• mixed lymphoma (complex cancer of the lymph nodes);
• Burkitt's lymphoma (malignant tumor of the jaw).

Oncological neoplasms are accompanied not only by hyperhidrosis, but also by sudden weight loss, sleep disturbances, general weakness and fatigue.

Preventive measures

To prevent hyperhidrosis, it is first necessary to exclude the development of somatic diseases and promptly treat chronic pathologies. To do this, you need to regularly visit a doctor for medical examination or prescribe treatment.

If excessive sweating is not a consequence of other diseases, you should adhere to the following measures:

• exclude spicy, hot dishes, spices, alcohol from the menu;
• stop smoking;
• take a contrast shower, warm baths with herbal decoctions (chamomile, oak bark);
• do not take medications without a doctor’s prescription;
• in clothing, give preference to natural fabrics (cotton, linen);
• shoes should be made of genuine leather or breathable materials with special moisture-absorbing insoles.

Article sources:

1. Hyperhidrosis: method of correction. Batyrshina S.V., Khaertdinova L.A. Practical medicine No. 8, 2014. p. 16-23
2. Hyperhidrosis and its impact on those living with it. Mary Lenefsky, 1Department of Dermatology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 2021.
3. Pathophysiology and Treatment of Hyperhidrosis. Tomoko Fujimoto. 1Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan. 2016
4. Axillary hyperhidrosis: a focused review. Jason E Sammons, Amor Khachemoune. Department of Clinical Medicine, Avalon University School of Medicine, Willemstad, CW, USA. 2b SUNY Downstate and VA Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA. 2017

What research is being done to identify the true causes of hyperhidrosis?

Excessive sweating is a subjective concept. Not everyone is alarmed by hyperhidrosis, so we need to talk about pathology if increased sweating is not typical for a person, causes him severe discomfort and causes anxiety.

The initial examination is carried out by an endocrinologist or therapist, because in most cases the cause of excessive sweating is a disruption in the functioning of the endocrine system. The specialist gives a referral for standard tests showing the general condition of the patient’s body.

These include:

• general blood analysis;
• general urine analysis;
• blood chemistry;
• analysis of thyroid hormones (T3, T4, TSH);
• ECG.

Depending on the test results, the patient undergoes additional examinations.

What to do to stop sweating

...Or at least not sweat as much. The question is relevant, especially in the warm season. And the answer to it is generally contained in the information given above.

You will not be able to completely get rid of sweat: at least half a liter of normal sweat should evaporate from your skin one way or another every day. During heat, active physical activity, and infectious diseases, the amount of moisture naturally increases, and this should be enjoyed, not hindered: the evaporation of sweat allows your body to function at normal temperature conditions. The only action that is important to take in such situations is to drink more water to prevent dehydration.

Otherwise, managing sweating primarily involves adjusting your lifestyle and daily habits:

1. Wear breathable clothing that will not make you feel hot.
2. Avoid stress and excessive emotional reactions.
3. Remove foods and drinks from your diet that activate the sweat glands.
4. Quit smoking.
5. If your medications or existing medical conditions are causing your excessive sweating, talk to your doctor about alternative treatments.
6. Use antiperspirants and do it right.

And remember: sweating is your friend, not your enemy. Treat this physiological feature with care and gratitude.

Description of tests and ultrasounds prescribed for excessive sweating

Diagnostics

The primary diagnostic search for excessive sweating is carried out by a general practitioner or general practitioner. The main objective of the examination is to identify disturbances in the functioning of the body that provoked changes in the functioning of the sweat glands. For this purpose, special functional tests, laboratory tests and instrumental visualization methods are prescribed. The most valuable for diagnosis are:

• Quantitative and qualitative tests
  . To determine the degree of excessive sweating, a gravimetric method is useful, which involves weighing a piece of filter paper after 1 minute of contact with the skin. To measure the area of ​​hyperhidrosis, the Minor test is used. Verification of the primary form of increased sweating is carried out using the chromatographic method.
• Laboratory research
  . The levels of the main hormones are measured - corticosteroids, thyroxine, tropic substances of the pituitary gland. Women must be tested for estrogen and progesterone levels. To exclude diabetes mellitus, fasting glycemia is determined, and a glucose load test is prescribed according to indications. Blood tests look for signs of inflammatory and tumor processes.
• Neurological examination
  . The appearance of increased sweating is often associated with pathologies of the nervous system, so all patients are examined by a neurologist. In addition to physical examination and assessment of basic reflexes, EEG and ultrasonography of peripheral nerves are used. According to indications, CT and MRI of the brain are prescribed.

When organizing further examination, accompanying symptoms are taken into account: in case of signs of an infectious process, serological tests are performed; in autoimmune diseases, the levels of rheumatoid factor and other specific markers are measured. Some patients are recommended to undergo a psychiatric evaluation. To diagnose doubtful cases of excessive sweating, consult other specialists (dermatologist, infectious disease specialist, oncologist).

Antiperspirants reduce sweat production and neutralize unpleasant odors