Why Do You Sweat So Much? Uncovering the Reasons Behind Excessive Sweating

As we move into spring, temperatures are beginning to rise, so you surely aren't surprised by this shift. sweating More than typical. This is completely standard. However, profuse perspiration can occasionally signal that something unusual might be happening. isn't normal in your body.

According to medical definitions, hyperhidrosis refers to overly profuse perspiration occurring in areas such as the underarms, face, scalp, hands, and feet. Johns Hopkins Medicine Firstly, let’s get this clear: Sweating is a perfectly natural body process and shouldn’t cause embarrassment according to health professionals. However, if you wish to make changes, there are options available for you.

"Individuals dealing with the psychological effects of heavy perspiration and bodily odors should recognize that such issues are widespread and can be addressed effectively," states a plastic surgeon. Dr. Joel E. Kopelman , often attends to individuals seeking solutions for excessive perspiration, shares with USA TODAY.

Begin your day with more insight. Receive all essential news directly in your mailbox every morning.

Before trying to curb your sweating, experts advise understanding when perspiration is typical versus when it could signal a potential health problem. Here’s what healthcare providers recommend keeping in mind.

What can be indicated by too much perspiration?

Sweating is a natural mechanism for cooling down your body, and excessive perspiration can be a typical response during physical activities like exercise, enduring hot conditions, or undergoing stages of growth such as puberty or menopause, as stated. Stanford Medicine .

Kopelman further explains, "Excessive perspiration might result from overly active sweat glands." He notes that genetics, stress, and hormone fluctuations can influence your level of sweating as well. Additionally, the drugs you may be consuming could affect how much you sweat.

However, at other moments, perspiration might signal that there could be an issue within your system.

At what point should I be concerned about excessive perspiration?

If you find yourself drenched in sweat without any clear cause, experts suggest this might warrant a visit to a healthcare provider.

Excessive perspiration is common during exercise, in high temperatures, or under stress," explains Kopelman. "If you find yourself sweating profusely without such stimuli, it could be a sign of hyperhidrosis or underlying medical issues.

Excessive perspiration can be triggered by various medical conditions including diabetes, congestive heart failure, hyperthyroidism, or anxiety, according to information from Stanford Medicine.

If you’re looking to tackle excess perspiration, Kopelman suggests several approaches you could consider. These include opting for a potent antiperspirant, choosing garments made from breathable materials like linen or cotton, and working on stress management techniques. Should these methods prove insufficient, you may want to seek advice from a healthcare provider who can assess whether you would benefit from prescription medications, Botox injections (known not only for reducing facial lines but also effective in decreasing armpit and hand sweating by inhibiting nerve signals to sweat glands), and additional therapies designed specifically for treating severe instances of hyperhidrosis.

However, health professionals also emphasize that perspiration plays a crucial role in regulating your body temperature; thus, the aim shouldn’t be to completely eliminate sweating.

"Generally speaking, reducing excessive sweating can be quite safe, particularly when it leads to discomfort or social unease,” explains Kopelman. “However, entirely blocking the body's innate mechanism for cooling down is not recommended.” He adds, “Options such as Botox focus specifically on problem areas without impacting the body’s general capacity to maintain thermal balance.”

The article initially appeared on USA TODAY: What causes me to perspire excessively?