Extreme sweating – causes, treatment and prevention

Extreme sweating

Extreme sweating is often very uncomfortable for those affected. The heavy production of sweat can have hormonal, organic or psychological causes. In most cases, unpleasant sweating can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle.

What is extreme sweating?

Intensive sweating is usually not just temporary. Sweating not only occurs in typical situations (e.g. during sports), but above all in everyday life . Those affected often sweat for no specific reason, ie without physical exertion.

In extreme cases, it is difficult or impossible to control the sweating with the usual hygiene measures. In some sufferers, the sweating only manifests itself in certain parts of the body and remains limited to these. Sweating under the armpits, the forehead or the palms of the hands can also occur.

causes

Heavy sweating can have many causes. The most common reasons include obesity , heavy alcohol consumption or immense stress . However , increased sweat production also occurs during pregnancy due to hormonal changes, which can lead to temporary imbalances. This also applies to the menopause , because a not inconsiderable hormonal change also occurs here.In addition, infections with fever can also be the cause of heavy sweating. In these cases, the immune system becomes more active by trying to fight viruses , bacteria and similar pathogens by increasing the temperature. Diabetes is also a possibility. Then sweating is often accompanied by severe thirst , tiredness and nocturnal calf cramps . Extreme sweating alone is the only symptom of diabetes in isolated cases.

In addition, there are also purely psychological causes to consider. For example, sweating is a typical symptom of anxiety disorders, since the person affected is in a permanent stressful situation. Fears are also closely related to depression, so that these can also contribute to extreme sweating. Organ damage is also possible. It is Z. For example, it is known that people whose thyroid glands are overactive do not tolerate heat well and tend to have an elevated body temperature. Chronic thyroid inflammation (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis) or general hyperfunction (Basedow’s disease) are also potential causes of sweating.

Another cause of increased sweating can also be undesirable side effects or drug interactions . Hormone preparations in particular are known to cause sweating. But also circulation-enhancing medicines and drugs that affect the central nervous system promote sweat production. Depending on the preparation, sweating can then be an acceptable side effect or a warning signal. It is necessary to seek the advice of a doctor or pharmacist in order to avoid damage.

Diseases

When to the doctor?

In the case of extreme sweating, a doctor should be consulted if the condition is perceived as stressful and very uncomfortable for the person concerned. From a clinical point of view, extreme sweating as a single symptom is not an indication for immediate medical attention. It is not a warning sign for a serious illness.

People who are overweight or obese often suffer from excessive sweating. In order to change this, a reduction in weight is necessary. If the person concerned needs help and support, it is advisable to consult a doctor.

Extreme sweating occurs after vigorous physical, professional or sporting activities. This is a normal reaction of the body and requires no further action. Perspiration is also reduced within a few minutes after the end of the effort. Regular visits to the sauna can help alleviate symptoms in the future.

Pregnancy, stress, the onset of menopause or psychological problems trigger increased sweating. The person concerned often learns to deal with the situation independently. As soon as he needs help, a doctor should be consulted. An unhealthy lifestyle such as overly spicy food or heavy alcohol consumption often lead to extreme sweating. Eating should be changed and a doctor should be consulted when coping with alcohol consumption.

diagnosis and course

The diagnosis is usually not made in isolation. i.e. the doctor will consider the entire medical history of the patient. Known previous illnesses are therefore particularly important, as they often act as a starting point. The further examinations are then based on the existing justified suspicion of the general practitioner. If a general practitioner suspects a specific disease (e.g. a malfunction of the thyroid gland) as the cause of the sweating, he will refer you to an experienced specialist who will take over the further diagnosis and any subsequent therapy.

Doctors typically use physical exams, checks of organ function, blood tests , and, if necessary, ultrasound scans to make the diagnosis. With regard to the course of sweating, only very general predictions can be made. If the reason for the sweating is an anxiety disorder, the sweating becomes more intense when there is contact with the feared object or the feared situation. In many cases of diabetes, sweating only occurs at night.

complications

In the case of severe sweating on the hands and feet, in addition to the endoscopic sympathetic blockade (ESB), the “endoscopic transthoracic sympathectomy”, ETS for short, is often carried out in order to cut through the sympathetic nerve cords (ganglia) or destroy them at certain points. Plantar hyperhydrosis in the case of heavily sweating hands, plantar hyperhydrosis in the case of extremely sweaty feet, axillary hyperhydrosis in the case of excessive armpit sweating or facial hyperhydrosis in the case of severe head and facial sweating is associated with not inconsiderable complications when an ETS or ESB is performed.

Possible immediate complications include injury to the heart or lungs, allowing air to enter the chest cavity, causing the lungs to collapse and resulting in pneumothorax. Skin and soft tissue injuries as well as pleurisy or wound and suture complications in the form of bleeding, for example, are also possible .

The physical and neurophysiological complications must also be taken into account, because an ETS or ESB not only affects the activity of the eccrine sweat glands, but may also affect other bodily functions. This can lead to nerve damage in the form of Horner’s syndrome. The body’s automatic thermoregulation can be lost and heart rate and stroke volume can drop drastically. A pacemaker may even be necessary in the end.

Thyroid function can be negatively affected and baroflex disorders can lead to blood pressure complications. A reduction in lung volume and permanent chills due to the drop in skin temperature are also known. The natural “fight-or-flight response” is often impaired and the body reacts differently to sporting activities. Sex life can be affected up to impotence . Dying of the sympathetic neurons can lead to ultrastructural changes in the cerebral arterial walls. In addition, the electrodermal activity can be lost completely.

Complications associated with botulinum toxin treatment (nerve poison treatment) : Regardless of whether the treatment is in the armpits or on the feet or hands, the following complications should always be taken into account. Bruising (small or large hematomas) and nerve or vascular injuries cannot be ruled out. In addition, the treatment is very painful, which is especially true for the treatment of the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Therefore, local anesthesia is recommended. If the effect wears off, the pain intensity varies greatly from person to person.

Possible complications after a curettage: Because the inner operating area of ​​the armpit cannot be seen, it cannot be said with certainty whether all the glands have been removed. If this is not the case, extreme sweating often occurs afterwards. The excision (sweat gland removal) or suction of the sweat glands in the armpit can be associated with the following complications: Inflammation and bleeding as well as nerve injuries with subsequent numbness can occur. Allergies to the agents used are also possible.

Complications when cutting out the sweat glands from the armpit: bleeding or secondary bleeding, infections and wound healing disorders and severe scarring cannot be ruled out. An initial feeling of numbness usually regresses promptly. If lymphatic vessels are injured, there can be a backlog of lymphatic fluid with pain and swelling.

treatment and therapy

The exact treatment of sweating depends on the condition that is causing the sweating. In principle, treatment that is primarily oriented towards the symptoms and one that tries to combat the causes can be considered. If, as in most cases, unhealthy living conditions (e.g. poor diet if you are overweight, increased stress at work, etc.) contribute to causing extreme sweating, you will have to consistently change your lifestyle.

In addition to physical activity, a change in diet and appropriate clothing, stress management therapies are also used. The aim is to learn and carry out relaxation exercises, which should have both a physical and a psychological effect. Kneipp applications are often part of a treatment. If the cause of sweating is primarily physical malfunctions (e.g. organ failure or thyroid dysfunction), therapies focus on supplying the body.

Drugs are often used as well. Especially in the case of diabetes, menopause or other hormonal changes, tablets are prescribed that lead to a noticeable reduction in sweating. If the doctors treating you come to the conclusion that the sweating has psychological causes, they must be treated. The exact therapy depends on the pathogenicity present in the specific individual case. In addition to talk therapy, psychiatric treatments using medication are also within the realm of possibility. The drug treatment is then not carried out by a psychologist, but by a licensed psychiatrist.

outlook and prognosis

Extreme sweating can be triggered by a variety of conditions and illnesses. As a rule, the further course of this complaint also depends very much on the underlying disease, so that a general course cannot be predicted in most cases. If the complaint occurs due to stress, the increased sweating usually disappears again when the stressful situation has been overcome. Increased sweating can also occur during nightmares or other dangerous situations.

However, if the complaint persists, a doctor should be consulted, since the sweat glands may be surgically removed. In this way, the symptoms can be limited and reduced relatively well. Likewise, the extreme sweating can also lead to psychological and social problems, so that the quality of life of the patient is significantly reduced by this complaint. In some cases, those affected also need psychological support. However, in most cases there is a positive course of the disease, so that the extreme sweating can be limited well.

prevention

The best way to prevent excessive sweating is to adopt a healthy lifestyle. You have to be careful not to ask too much of the body. Stress should be avoided as much as possible. Any busy period must be followed by appropriate rest periods. In addition to the physical strain, attention must also be paid to the psyche. Relaxation is not limited to the body, it must also be done mentally. Appropriate nutrition must also be added .High- fat foods should be avoided. The same applies to particularly sugary foods. However, a complete renunciation is not necessary. Enjoyment in moderation is sufficient. Regular exercise also increases physical resilience, which also strengthens the immune system. To prevent this, a healthy lifestyle should be maintained, which is reflected in a balanced diet, sufficient exercise and regular breaks.

Dorothy Farrar

Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.

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