What Are the Causes of Excessive Body Sweating?
Sweating is a natural, healthy process of the human body. However, excessive body sweating is a distressing condition that can impact an individual emotionally, socially and professionally. A number of causes of excessive body sweating exist, ranging from mild to serious.
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Idiopathic Hyperhidrosis
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Also referred to as primary hyperhidrosis, this is a medical condition that causes excessive sweating with no detectable medical cause. The excess body sweating caused by hyperhidrosis is often localized, which means limited to a specific area of the body, usually the soles of the feet or palms of the hands. It may also be generalized, causing excessive perspiration over large areas of the body.
Pharmaceutical Drugs
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A number of conventional medical drugs, while providing therapeutic benefits, may also cause excessive sweating as one of their side effects. These sweat-inducing medications include both prescription drugs, such as Wellbutrin® SR Sustained-Release Tablets and non-prescription drugs like acetaminophen. Other sweat-inducing drugs include ephedrine, Albuterol, Citalopram and Selenium.
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Hyperthyroidism
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Hyperthyroidism is another cause of excessive sweating. This is a disorder of the thyroid gland, which causes an over-production of thyroid hormones. Hyperthyroidism is characterized by increased metabolism, which often manifests in excessive sweating. Hypoglycemia, which is characterized by abnormally low blood sugar level, is another condition that can cause excess sweating, which usually in the night.
Underlying Conditions
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Excessive sweating may be a symptom of an underlying medical condition or disease. Some of the conditions that can cause it include Parkinson's disease, Riley-Day syndrome Lymphoma, Diabetes Mellitus and syringomyelia. Keep in mind, however, that not everyone who suffers from one of these conditions will also experience excessive sweating. Once the underlying condition is cured, the symptoms disappear.
Menopause
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Menopause can also cause excessive sweating. Menopause is a period during which there is a permanent end to menstruation. During this period, the hormonal changes that occur often cause a variety of symptoms, and excessive body sweating is one such symptom. A drop in estrogen levels causes a hormonal imbalance, which in turn causes excessive perspiration that is associated with hot flashes and night sweats.
Other Causes
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Obesity, alcoholism and drug addiction can cause excess perspiration. Exercise as well as an over-heated environment can cause this condition. A number of psychological factors, such as panic attacks, emotional stress and anxiety, can also result in excessive sweating.
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