Do You Sweat Excessively? These 3 Reasons May Be Why

Are you suffering from excessive sweating? If you’re looking for answers, you’ve come to the right place. Here are a few reasons you might be sweating excessively and what you need to know about hyperhidrosis.

What Is Hyperhidrosis?

Sweating is a normal bodily function that helps regulate body temperature and rid the skin of dirt. Excessive sweating, also known as hyperhidrosis, is sweating that occurs on such an excessive level that it can cause serious distress.

You might not think it, but almost 3% of the population suffers from this condition. Of course, everybody is different, which means “excessive” is often a subjective measure. The key difference between normal sweating and excessive sweating is physical and emotional discomfort.

So if the amount you sweat causes stress, anxiety, and even social fear, it’s likely an excessive sweating issue. But what causes excessive sweating?

Hormonal Changes

In some cases, excessive sweating can be attributed to hormonal changes in the body. Some key life events that can affect hormone levels include puberty, pregnancy, and menopause.

Each of these major life events comes with a significant amount of hormonal change within the body. In these instances, excessive sweating is typically a temporary issue and will resolve once hormone levels return to their normal state.

However, in some cases it’s possible that excessive sweating may not resolve itself after a pregnancy is over or once menopause has ended. In these cases, it’s important to see a doctor about your excessive sweating. It could indicate another underlying issue that you haven’t thought of yet.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

If you’re suffering from excessive sweating and you can’t pin it on a hormonal imbalance, it’s possible that anxiety could be a factor. Whether you’re under large amounts of stress or you’ve previously been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, excessive sweating is a common symptom. Stress- and anxiety-inducing situations typically cause a little bit of sweating anyway. A full on anxiety disorder may be the cause of more sweating than normal, though.

Not sure whether or not anxiety is the underlying issue? Pay attention to any other symptoms you’re having that could lead to anxiety as the underlying cause of your sweating problem. Common signs to look for include fatigue, trouble sleeping, nausea, muscle aches, and irritability.

Hyperthyroidism

This condition is the result of an overactive thyroid gland. In addition to excessive sweating, hyperthyroidism can cause unintentional weight loss, rapid heartbeat, increased appetite, and increased sensitivity to heat. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms in addition to your excessive sweating, it could be worth talking to your doctor about getting tested for hyperthyroidism.

If you invest in hyperhidrosis treatment without an accurate diagnosis, you may not resolve your sweating issue at all. In most cases, an underlying issue like this is to blame for excessive sweating issues.

Excessive sweating might not be physically harmful, but it can make anyone uncomfortable. If you think you’re suffering from hyperhidrosis and you’re ready to find answers and a treatment program, contact a doctor at Lake Washington Dermatology today.