Everyone sweats. Sweating is a necessary reaction to the temperature balance of the body. Excessive heat has to be dissipated to the outside via the skin. This heat is generated during sports, on hot days, but also during illness, for example when one has a fever. However, it is not only physical activity but also psychological states such as stress, fear or panic that drive the sweat out of the pores.
Development of sweat
Sweat glands are found all over the body in the skin, especially in the armpits, palms of the hands, soles of the feet and on the forehead. Sweat is a salty liquid containing calcium and magnesium, as well as the body’s defenses. Fresh sweat is odorless whereas the typical sweat odor only appears after some time, triggered by skin bacteria. The activity of the sweat glands is influenced by the vegetative nervous system. The sympathetic part of the vegetative nervous system is otherwise responsible for stress and flight reactions and regulates sweating.
Hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis is the medical term for unusually heavy perspiration. Hyperhidrosis can be distinguished according to the localization of the increased sweat formation and the cause. Classification according to localization distinguishes between localized hyperhidrosis, where increased sweat production only occurs in certain areas of the body, and generalized hyperhidrosis, where the whole body is affected.
A primary hyperhidrosis is distinguished from secondary hyperhidrosis. Primary hyperhidrosis occurs for no apparent reason from childhood or adolescence. The palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, the axes and the head are mainly affected by increased sweating.
The production of sweat occurs completely suddenly and not as a result of special physical exertion. The level of suffering from this clinical picture is very high. Secondary hyperhidrosis is the concomitant symptom of other diseases (thyroid, infections, nervous disorders, cancer), medication or hormonal changes, such as menopause (see: Sweating during menopause)
Lifestyle change against sweating
In both primary and secondary hyperhidrosis, it can be helpful to adjust one’s lifestyle to reduce possible exacerbating causes of sweating. An ideal body weight is important, if necessary overweight should be reduced to reduce sweating. Losing weight not only helps to avoid excessive sweating, but also has many other positive effects on the body and its health.
The diet should also be adjusted to avoid sweating. Pungent spices, coffee consumption or alcohol consumption all promote sweating for different reasons. Through sweating, the body loses a lot of fluid, which must be replenished in the form of water or tea.
All articles in this series:
