Check out what is excessive sweating a sign of...

Excessive sweating causes immense discomfort, and we might find it extremely difficult to carry out our day to day activities. In addition to that, it can also put us in embarrassing situations when we are out in public. This might lower our self confidence to a great extent. During such instances, we might want to know what is excessive sweating a sign of. A lot of people tend to take excessive sweating lightly. They might feel that they are sweating simply because of the heat in the environment. Normal sweating is fine, and it will go away as soon as you change your surroundings. But, if nothing is working out, and you are unable to manage the sweating, then it might indicate that you are suffering from some other health issues. During such instances, you have to get the necessary treatment to manage the underlying health issue. Thereby, you will be able to alleviate the sweating, as well as other symptoms that you might be facing. So, you have to trust your body, and if you feel that something is not right, then you must get in touch with your healthcare provider at the earliest.

See what excessive sweating is...

Before discussing what is excessive sweating a sign of, let's take a look at this condition thoroughly.

• Sweat can be defined as an odorless fluid which is released from the sweat glands, or eccrine glands. The primary function of this odorless fluid is to regulate the temperature of our body. In addition to that, it also helps in preventing overheating.
• The eccrine glands, or sweat glands can be found on our skin. The sweat is produced by these glands, and this fluid gradually moves through the tubes, or ducts until it reaches the skin's surface.
• After sweat leaves the ducts, it will evaporate immediately in order to cool down the body. Thereby, the body temperature will always remain under control.
• The above mentioned process is completely normal, and it happens in the case of everyone. But, if you feel that you are sweating excessively, then you might be suffering from a condition known as Hyperhidrosis.
• This situation occurs when we sweat more than what our body needs for the regulation of temperature. You will notice sweating even when you are at rest. You will also experience sweating while you are at cold temperatures.
• Thus, in this case, you will be experiencing sweating randomly during times when you would normally not sweat. During such circumstances, you must seek medical attention at the earliest.
• Excessive sweating, or Hyperhidrosis is quite common and a lot of people suffer from it. Reports suggest that about 3% of adults between ages 20 and 60 have hyperhidrosis in the United States.

Know what is excessive sweating a sign of...

A number of health issues can cause excessive sweating. Some of the most notable causes are listed below.

• Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)

This issue occurs when our thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. The overactive thyroid gland will speed up the body's metabolism. As a result, you might experience a number of symptoms such as excessive sweating, irregular heartbeat, weight loss, etc.  

• Acromegaly

This is actually a hormonal disorder which occurs when the pituitary gland tends to produce excessive growth hormone during adulthood. This will also lead to Hyperhidrosis.

• Leukemia

This can be considered as a type of  cancer that affects the blood-forming tissues of our body. Leukemia can be of different forms, and some of them are very common in children. On the other hand, some varieties are mostly observed in adults. People suffering from leukemia might experience excessive sweating.

• Diabetic hypoglycemia

This is a health issue which occurs when a person with diabetes doesn't have enough glucose in his or her blood. As we all know, glucose is regarded as the main source of energy for the body, as well as the brain. This condition might also lead to excessive sweating in these patients.

• Menopause

It can be defined as the time which marks the end of a woman's menstrual cycle. It is usually diagnosed after a woman has gone 12 months without a period.  During this process, a number of symptoms are observed. These include hot flashes, excessive sweating, emotional symptoms, low energy levels, etc.

See how to treat excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis...

Now that we know what is excessive sweating a sign of, let's take a look at the treatment options that are currently available.

• It must be kept in mind that the treatment for this condition will vary from one person to another depending upon a variety of factors. These factors include the affected area, severity of the condition, as well as the preference of the patients.
• It is recommended that you get in touch with a good healthcare provider who can guide you regarding the different measures that you must adopt. You can also try consulting a dermatologist.
• There are several medications that can be used for the management of Hyperhidrosis. These medicines help in alleviating the symptoms of this condition to a great extent, and they are listed below. 

1. Beta-blockers
2. Anticholinergic agents (glycopyrrolate and oxybutynin)
3. Medicated wipes (glycopyrronium tosylate, Qbrexza®)
4. Antidepressants
5. Aluminum chloride gel.

• Some of these medications have certain side effects, and you must talk about these effects with your doctor before taking them.

Conclusion

We have discussed what is excessive sweating a sign of, as well as how to treat it. Sometimes, the symptoms associated with Hyperhidrosis might not improve with the above mentioned medications. During such instances, you might have to undergo some specialized therapies as per the advice of your doctor. These include Iontophoresis, Botulinum toxin (Botox®) injections, Microwave therapy, etc. If these specialized therapies fail, then you will have to opt for surgeries, such as the Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy, and Sweat gland removal. As per reports, surgeries are known to offer lasting benefits to the patients. The excessive sweating which normally does not respond to other forms of treatment, can be successfully managed with the help of surgery.