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Sweating
Perspiration
Sweating is the release of liquid from the body's sweat glands. This liquid contains salt. This process is also called perspiration.
Sweating helps your body stay cool. Sweat is commonly found under the arms, on the feet, and on the palms of the hands.
Considerations
The amount you sweat depends on how many sweat glands you have.
A person is born with about 2 to 4 million sweat glands. The glands start to become fully active during puberty. Men's sweat glands tend to be more active.
Sweating is controlled by the autonomic nervous system. This is the part of the nervous system that is not under your control. Sweating is the body's natural way of regulating temperature.
Things that can make you sweat more include:
- Hot weather
- Exercise
- Situations that make you nervous, angry, embarrassed, or afraid
Heavy sweating may also be a symptom of menopause .
Menopause
Menopause is the time in a woman's life when her periods (menstruation) stop. Most often, it is a natural, normal body change that most often occurs...
Causes
Causes may include:
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Cancer
- Complex regional pain syndrome
- Emotional or stressful situations (anxiety)
- Essential hyperhidrosis
- Exercise
- Fever
- Infection
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
- Medicines, such as thyroid hormone, morphine, drugs to reduce fever, and medicines to treat mental disorders
- Menopause
- Spicy foods (known as "gustatory sweating")
- Warm temperatures
- Withdrawal from alcohol or narcotic painkillers
Home Care
After sweating a lot, you should:
- Drink plenty of fluids (water or better fluids containing electrolytes) to replace sweat.
- Lower room temperature a little bit to prevent more sweating.
- Wash your face and body if the salt from sweat has dried on your skin.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Contact your health care provider if sweating occurs with:
- Chest pain
- Fever
- Rapid, pounding heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Weight loss
These symptoms may indicate a problem, such as overactive thyroid or an infection.
Overactive thyroid
Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone. The condition is often called overactive thyroid.
Also call your provider if:
- You sweat a lot or sweating lasts for a long time or cannot be explained.
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Sweating occurs with or is followed by
chest pain
or pressure.
Chest pain
Chest pain is discomfort or pain that you feel anywhere along the front of your body between your neck and upper abdomen.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - You lose weight from sweating or often sweat during sleep.
References
Chelimsky T, Robertson D, Chelimsky G. Disorders of the autonomic nervous system. In: Daroff RB, Fenichel GM, Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, eds. Bradley's Neurology in Clinical Practice . 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Butterworth-Heinemann Elsevier; 2012:chap 77.
Cheshire WB. Autonomic disorders and their management. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 418.
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Skin layers - illustration
The skin is the largest organ of the body. The skin and its derivatives (hair, nails, sweat and oil glands) make up the integumentary system. One of the main functions of the skin is protection. It protects the body from external factors such as bacteria, chemicals, and temperature. The skin contains secretions that can kill bacteria and the pigment melanin provides a chemical pigment defense against ultraviolet light that can damage skin cells. Another important function of the skin is body temperature regulation. When the skin is exposed to a cold temperature, the blood vessels in the dermis constrict. This allows the blood which is warm, to bypass the skin. The skin then becomes the temperature of the cold it is exposed to. Body heat is conserved since the blood vessels are not diverting heat to the skin anymore. Among its many functions the skin is an incredible organ always protecting the body from external agents.
Skin layers
illustration
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Skin layers - illustration
The skin is the largest organ of the body. The skin and its derivatives (hair, nails, sweat and oil glands) make up the integumentary system. One of the main functions of the skin is protection. It protects the body from external factors such as bacteria, chemicals, and temperature. The skin contains secretions that can kill bacteria and the pigment melanin provides a chemical pigment defense against ultraviolet light that can damage skin cells. Another important function of the skin is body temperature regulation. When the skin is exposed to a cold temperature, the blood vessels in the dermis constrict. This allows the blood which is warm, to bypass the skin. The skin then becomes the temperature of the cold it is exposed to. Body heat is conserved since the blood vessels are not diverting heat to the skin anymore. Among its many functions the skin is an incredible organ always protecting the body from external agents.
Skin layers
illustration
Review Date: 4/30/2015
Reviewed By: Laura J. Martin, MD, MPH, ABIM Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Atlanta, GA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
