What is the Cause of Excessive Sweating?

Sweating is a normal part of our lives and an important function of our body. When we are active in any way, we sweat. However, when we begin to sweat excessively, it can cause a problem in not only our daily activities but also in our social life. Excessive sweating affects almost 8 million Americans. What is considered excessive sweating and what are the causes?

What is Excessive Sweating?

Sweating is required to regulate our body temperature but if we're sweating more than what is needed to keep the temperature regulated; we're sweating excessively, a condition also known as hyperhidrosis. People suffering from hyperhidrosis will often sweat more from particular areas of their body including the feet, hands, face and underarms, although this is not always the case. Although excessive sweating usually begins in adolescence, it often continues through adulthood.

The Many Causes of Sweating

Excessive sweat can be broken down into two kinds: generalized hyperhidrosis and focal hyperhidrosis, both of which have many different causes. The difference between the two types is that with generalized hyperhidrosis sweating can occur on any part of the body unlike focal hyperhidrosis which limits the excessive sweat to specific parts of the body.

Excessive sweating may occur in many individuals that have a health condition in which excessively sweating is one of the symptoms in both local and generalized hyperhidrosis. There are natural factors in our life that may cause us to sweat excessively such as high temperatures, fever, certain foods we eat, exertion, thick clothing and many others. Hormones may also play a part in excessively sweating such as menopausal woman. Psychological problems related to stress, anxiety and phobias may also encourage excessive sweat.

Determining if you have focal hyperhidrosis or generalized hyperhidrosis may help you determine the cause more quickly. Individuals with generalized hyperhidrosis may be sweating excessively from obesity, endocrinological disorders, cancers, febrile illnesses to name just a few. Stress may also cause excessive sweating in generalized hyperhidrosis. The cause of excessive sweating in most cases of focal hyperhidrosis is genetic, meaning it was inherited. There may also be a disorder on specific body part (e.g. Frey's Syndrome), which may cause that part to sweat excessively.

If you're concerned that you may be sweating excessively, schedule a visit with your doctor as there are tests that can be done that may determine the cause.

by Anette Seeders