Sweating is the body’s automatic response to one of many triggers like a sudden rise in temperature or a high-pressure stressful situation. But excess sweating or hyperhidrosis is a problem.

About 2 per cent of men and women in the United States suffer from excess sweating or hyperhidrosis.

How much is Excess?

This is a condition where the individual produces more than the usual amount of sweat, sometimes defined as more than 20 mg of sweat per palm. It may also be classified according to the amount of surface area it covers.

Sweating in an area greater than 100 square centimeters is considered excess sweating or hyperhidrosis.

Sweat glands are located all over the body but they are not present on the lips, nipples and in the genital area. There are two types of sweat glands, eccrine and apocrine.

Eccrine Sweat Glands

Common references to sweat pertain to the colorless and odorless fluid produced by the eccrine glands.

There is more than one form of hyperhidrosis and we’re discussing the most common form called primary focal hyperhidrosis or PFHH.

This is characterized by excess sweat on the palms (palmoplantar) and feet, and underarms (axillary). Excess sweating or hyperhydrosis can be extremely embarrassing and in extreme cases turn patients into recluses.

This is because excess sweat stains the clothes, the skin is always looks greasy and often, the sweat emits a strong and unpleasant odour.

Excess sweating can either be generalized and affect large areas of the skin although the feet, palms, armpits, and groin are more active than other parts.

The condition can also be localized, which is usually the case in secondary hyperhidrosis. This kind of hyperhidrosis manifests itself at any point in life as it is usually associated with a disease, menopause or the intake of certain drugs.

Hyperhidrosis Triggers

How do you distinguish between normal and excess sweating or hyperhidrosis? And what causes this disease?

Research suggests that hyperhidrosis has a strong genetic component and may be hereditary. Also, youngsters tend to sweat more during puberty and adolescence than children or adults.

This is possibly because puberty is a stressful time, thanks to numerous physiological changes in the body as well as stressful life situations.

Stress is a direct trigger for sweating and hence teenagers perspire a lot more than others. Some women tend to sweat excessively during menopause. This is possibly due to hormonal triggers.

Abnormal nerve and spinal cord functions are also linked to excess sweating or hyperhidrosis. For example, a condition called syringomyelia or lesions and tumours in the spine trigger hyperhidrosis.

Thyroid malfunction

A malfunctioning thyroid gland can also make an individual sweat excessively. This is because the thyroid gland controls the body’s temperature, a process known as thermoregulation. Sweating is directly linked to temperature control.

Another set of factors that trigger excess sweating or hyperhidrosis is your emotions. Have you noticed that when you’re anxious, depressed and stressed, you tent to sweat more?

Obesity is next on the list. People who are overweight are more likely to suffer from excess sweating or hyperhidrosis than those with normal weight.

This is because the sweat glands have to work harder to get rid of excess minerals that the body does not need.

Excess sweating or hyperhidrosis is also a temporary reaction to hot and spicy food. Hence, individuals who sweat a lot should eliminate these foods in their diet.

Excess Sweating / Hyperhidrosis is a post from: Skincare