Sweat for no reason. Heavy sweating in women: main causes. External causes of hyperhidrosis

Many people wonder why I sweat a lot and how to eliminate such negative symptoms. The process of increased sweating has a physiological origin under the influence various factors environment (high temperature, increased physical activity).

In order to eliminate negative signs, it is necessary to identify the cause of this condition from a doctor who will prescribe an appropriate treatment regimen. In some cases, increased sweating may be the cause serious illnesses in the body.

Main causes, symptoms and signs of excessive sweating

Special glands secrete sweat, which contains mineral salts, ammonia, urea, toxic substances, and metabolic products.

Increased sweating may occur for the following reasons:

Increased sweating can occur against the background of a psychoemotional disorder, since a person experiences excessive production of adrenaline, which contributes to the work of vital systems in an enhanced mode.

The main function of sweating is thermoregulation and the creation of normal conditions for the functioning of the whole organism. The human body temperature changes under the influence of various environmental factors.

The production of sweat glands is controlled by the hypothalamus of the brain, since special receptors convey information about any changes in the body. When a signal is received, increased production of sweating begins to ensure thermoregulation.

In this case, the reasons for sending a corresponding impulse to the brain may be physiological or pathological character due to the detection of serious disorders in the body.

Symptoms of excessive sweating include excessive sweat production in localized areas of the body (armpits, feet, palms, face, groin, forehead). The skin in these places is moist, cold, and the bones and feet may acquire a bluish tint due to impaired peripheral circulation.

In parallel with increased sweating, bacterial and fungal diseases on the skin. Sweat does not have a specific distinct odor, but when it is released, favorable environment for development various bacteria which cause an unpleasant stench.

In some cases, the smell of sweat is caused by the release of various toxic substances (components of cigarettes, alcohol, potent chemical compounds, digestion products of onions and garlic).

Sweat can also vary in color. This condition may occur due to excessive use of certain medications or the accumulation of chemicals in the body.

Such phenomena are often observed in people who work in hazardous industries using various chemical compounds. If uncharacteristic signs of increased sweating appear without good reason, then you need to see a doctor and undergo the necessary tests.

Types of increased sweating

Hyperhidrosis is classified depending on general flow disease and severity of characteristic symptoms:

Light form hyperhidrosis, in which sweating is invisible to others, but the armpits are constantly wet, which can lead to a sharp decrease in body temperature;
At average shape Excessive sweat production is noted (wet spots on clothing reach a diameter of up to 30 cm). A person is forced to change clothes several times during the day;
Severe form characterized by generalization of the process (sweat flows in streams throughout the body).

Diagnostics

Diagnostics increased sweating is based on visiting a doctor, taking necessary tests and carrying out special testing (Minor's test). The technique involves staining the problem area of the skin with iodine and starch. When blue spots appear, the study shows an excessive amount of sweat.

A study is also carried out using a special paper sheet with a weight, which is applied to the location of sweat and then weighed. The data obtained allows you to determine whether sweat is produced in excess.

In order to establish the cause of increased sweating, doctors prescribe a series of tests. Additional consultation with other specialists of a narrower profile may be necessary. Hyperhidrosis requires no reason thorough examination and prescribing an appropriate treatment regimen.

If there is increased sweating of the feet, you should pay attention to the following recommendations to eliminate the problem:

To eliminate excessive sweating of the feet, it is important to maintain personal hygiene:

Daily washing of limbs with soap, wiping dry or using a hair dryer to dry;
Elimination of constant and severe wetting of the feet;
When taking a bath, it is necessary to use a special pumice stone, which removes dead cells from the heels and eliminates various bacteria;
Application of antiperspirants. Cosmetics industry provides a wide selection, so you can easily choose good remedy foot skin care;
Using a special bactericidal or laundry soap, which dries the skin well and prevents the development of various bacteria;
The use of folk remedies in the form of foot baths, taking various decoctions and tinctures.

An excellent means of prevention for excessive sweating of the feet is the elimination of excess moisture with good drying and the use of various means (powders, antiperspirants).

Natural alum, crushed oak bark, talc, starch, tea leaves, boric acid, salt. To obtain the desired effect, pour the prepared product into socks and wear them at night.

If your body sweats a lot

Excessive sweating on the body causes the appearance of a sour odor, itching, irritation, which is accompanied by the development of an inflammatory process on the skin.

Maintaining personal hygiene rules (taking a cold shower, wiping the skin dry);
Regular armpit hair removal;
Avoid wearing clothes made of synthetic materials;
The use of special antiperspirants, gels, ointments that help narrow the sweat ducts (Crystal, Dry Maxim);
Prohibition of excessive consumption of spicy, peppery, fried foods. The diet should be dominated by vegetables and fruits containing vitamin C;
Going to the sauna, because with severe slagging, increased temperature increases thermoregulation and helps cleanse the body.

The most common cause of increased sweating of the hands is the occurrence of stressful situations.

To normalize sweat production, you need to follow simple rules:

If your head and armpits sweat a lot

Increased sweating of the head occurs when there are enlarged pores.

Using special cleansing lotions or scrubs;
Using masks to tighten pores;
Rubbing the scalp or face with a decoction of chamomile, oak bark, tea leaves and milk.

Excessive sweating in the armpits this state may be due to the development of natural physiological processes (fever, strong emotional state, increased exercise).

To prevent the development of symptoms of increased hyperhidrosis, you must follow the following recommendations from doctors:

Regular adherence to personal hygiene rules;
Use of special antiperspirants, natural alum and other products;
Completing the necessary examination to identify pathological diseases;
Security proper nutrition(exclusion of spicy, salty foods, alcohol);
Wearing clothes made from natural materials.

Night sweats can occur in adults and children due to dysfunction autonomic system, insomnia, severe fatigue.

Treatment is based on the use of the following techniques:

Taking sedatives (motherwort, valerian, chicory);
Ventilate the room before going to bed;
Elimination of other irritating factors.

If, when using the above methods negative symptoms has not passed, then you need to see a doctor and undergo the necessary tests to make an accurate diagnosis.

Increased sweating during exercise is a normal physiological reaction of the body and indicates good condition of the body.

Main reasons:

Normal metabolism;
Increased stress on the body;
Stifling room temperature;
Having excess weight;
Correct defensive reaction body;
Incorrectly chosen clothes;
Severe stress that arose during training;
Individual characteristics of the body;
A large amount of water in the body.

When playing sports, it is important to replenish the lack of moisture in the body, so in between workouts you need to drink a small amount of purified water.

Treatment method

Treatment of increased sweating involves the use of conservative and surgical treatment methods. Proven folk remedies are prescribed as an auxiliary method of rehabilitation.

Surgical methods of treatment

Surgical methods treatments are listed below:

Injection of Botox, as this substance blocks the work of the sweat glands and prevents excessive sweat production;
Use of laser radiation;
Performing endoscopic sympathectomy.

Botox

Botox injections are good for eliminating sweating in the armpits, hands and feet. After the procedure, the resulting effect lasts for 6 months. After 2-3 days, the increased sweating stops, and the treated area of the body stops hurting.

Laser radiation

The laser destroys sweat duct cells irrevocably. The procedure is carried out in the clinic for 40–60 minutes. After this treatment, increased sweating no longer bothers the patient. In this case, overheating and infection are excluded due to the fact that the treated skin surface is sterilized.

Carrying out a sympathectomy

Cosmetic surgery, which is performed with a small incision, permanently eliminates excessive sweating. Intervention is divided into local (blocking the sweat glands at the site of increased sweat localization) and remote (manipulation is carried out at a short distance from the problem area).

Endoscopic sympathectomy. This operation is most often performed when increased hyperhidrosis. First, a puncture is made and a tube equipped with a video camera is inserted to obtain an image on the screen. Subsequently, a clip is applied and the sympathetic trunk is cut off. Such manipulations are carried out only on the palms, since other areas of the body require the use of other effective techniques.
Open (conventional) sympathectomy. The surgeon opens the chest and dissects the fibers, the sympathetic trunk. This operation has a considerable number of disadvantages (long stay in the hospital, the presence of a scar at the incision site), and therefore is performed only if there are clear indications.
Percutaneous sympathectomy carried out by introducing special needles into the sympathetic trunk. The nerve nodes of the sweat glands are destroyed under the influence of current or special drugs. During the operation, errors may be made due to the lack of visual control of the operation.

Methods for eliminating excessive sweating in the armpits

For increased sweating in the armpit area, the following surgical techniques are used:

Conservative therapy

Conservative therapy for excessive sweating consists of using the following methods:

Products for external application (sprays, ointments, gels), which are applied to cleansed skin and temporarily block the functioning of the sweat glands;
Oral medications for oral administration. This category of medications is prescribed after accurately determining the cause of increased sweating. Most often, discomfort occurs due to severe stress or emotional overstrain. In this case, the use of sedatives is effective.

Traditional medicine

Folk remedies for excessive sweating are effective in combination with basic medicine and the mandatory agreement of the chosen method with the attending physician:

Preparing a bath from a medicinal letter. 1 tbsp. a spoonful of dry herb is poured into 250 ml, and the finished product is used as intended for the treatment of hand hyperhidrosis. The procedure is carried out before bedtime;
A bath of willow bark is prescribed for excessive sweating of the palms. The powder is diluted in 250 ml of cold water and infused for 8 hours. The procedure must be carried out daily for 10 minutes;
Hyssop infusion is recommended for the treatment of general hyperhidrosis. 1 tbsp. A spoonful of herbs is poured into 1 liter of boiling water and infused for several hours. The finished product is taken 3 times a day, 125 ml;
Sage tincture. 1 tbsp. Fill a spoon with 500 ml of boiling water and leave for several hours. The prepared decoction is taken 3 times a day before meals;
A combination of lavender and lemon water in equal proportions to wipe problem areas of the skin;
Tincture of sunflower leaves when mixed with water in a ratio of 1:4. The finished product is taken daily, 30 drops 3 times a day before meals;
Viburnum bark, like effective remedy from sweating palms and feet. 1 tbsp. Pour 250 ml of boiling water over a spoon of the plant and leave for 2 hours. Ready solution used to wipe problem areas of the skin.

Many people sweat during intense physical activity and elevated temperatures, but some people barely sweat. This condition can be pathological and is called anhidrosis, and also requires examination and proper treatment.

Lack of normal sweating may occur for the following reasons:

The presence of any disease;
Anhidrosis of tropical type;
Deviations of a genetic nature;
Wrong lifestyle;
Ingestion of toxic drugs into the body;
Work in hazardous production;
Strong emotional stress.

Why is there no sweating during intense physical activity?

The absence of sweating during intense physical activity is a deviation from the norm and indicates the presence of anhidrosis requiring appropriate therapy. With this disease, toxins and waste are poorly removed from the body, which can lead to the development of additional pathologies.

The progression of anhidrosis can develop into a chronic form. As a result, the lack of normal functioning of thermoregulation causes disruptions in the body and contributes to the development of various diseases in life. important systems body.

No sweat when visiting the sauna

Since ancient times, illnesses have been treated by visiting a bathhouse or sauna, since the removal of toxic substances from the body ensures a quick recovery for a person and brings the necessary vigor in a short time.

Expanding the pores in the bath and using birch, linden, and oak brooms ensures youthful and elastic skin. Such procedures must be carried out according to a certain schedule, since excessive abuse can cause an imbalance in the water balance in the body.

If a person does not sweat in a sauna, then he may develop anhidrosis. With severe sweating in certain areas of the body, hyperhidrosis is diagnosed.

Additional signs of the disease with the development of anhidrosis:

Redness and dryness skin;
Complete absence of sweating;
Muscle cramps;
Headaches;
Rapid breathing;
Increased heart rate;
Increased body temperature;
Blurred consciousness.

In this condition it is necessary to take maximum quantity liquids, wipe the body cold water, make special compresses, and with deterioration general condition go to the hospital for further examination.

Reasons for lack of sweating

Lack of sweating can occur due to the development of a certain number of reasons presented in the list below:

Dermatological diseases (scleroderma, miliaria, leprosy, ichthyosis);
Liver cirrhosis, diabetes mellitus, Addinson's disease;
Various pathologies nervous system;
The appearance of vitamin deficiency;
Frequent urination, stool upset (diarrhea or constipation);
Radiation sickness, cholera;
Toxicosis during pregnancy;
Lung cancer;
Parkinson's disease.

In hot weather, a healthy person sweats a lot, which indicates that the thermoregulation system is working well. On such days, it is necessary to consume the maximum amount of water, since tropical anhidrosis may develop due to lack of moisture.

The development of anhidrosis can also be congenital. The disease is most often diagnosed in boys and requires careful monitoring throughout life and avoidance of strong physical exertion and overheating.

An unhealthy lifestyle, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, overeating negatively affects the functioning of many organs in the body, which can lead to increased or decreased sweating, so it is important to follow preventive measures.

Prevention

Prevention of excessive sweating involves following simple recommendations:

Good ventilation of the room in which a person sleeps;
Use of bed linen made from natural materials (linen, cotton), blankets according to the season;
Avoiding a heavy dinner before bed (limiting the consumption of spicy, salty and fatty foods, alcohol, cocoa);
Maintaining personal hygiene rules (showering 1-2 times throughout the day);
Selection of shoes according to size, season, preferably from natural materials (leather);
Elimination of severe stress and strong emotional experiences (yoga and meditation are recommended);
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle ( balanced diet, exception bad habits and the occurrence of excess weight).

Excessive sweating of the armpits, face, head, legs or generalized profuse sweating is medically called hyperhidrosis. Sweating is a natural process of cleansing the body, removing water secretion when exposed to physical factors, such as overheating of the body at elevated ambient temperatures, intense physical activity, nervous tension, and anxiety. This physiological process as if it saves the body from overheating, since when sweat evaporates from the surface of the skin, cooling and a decrease in body temperature occur. However, the causes of increased sweating can be many diseases, one of the symptoms of which is hyperhidrosis.

Excessive sweating may be a physiological feature of a person and may not pose a particular threat to health, but only cause psychological discomfort and worsen the quality of life of both women and men. But since no common criteria assessments, there are no devices that determine whether excessive sweating is normal or normal, then the disease hyperhidrosis should be discussed only if excessive sweating greatly affects a person’s quality of life.

You can independently determine excessive sweating if you:

You have to make a lot of effort to combat the consequences of excessive sweating - take a shower several times a day, change clothes, etc.
Having to give up certain activities or gym classes due to excessive sweating
You have to stay at a certain distance when in contact with work colleagues, friends, you avoid unnecessary communication with people, you feel insecure and worry about excessive sweating

Types of hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis is divided into local(local, limited), that is, when:

only the face and head sweat
extremities sweat - palms, feet, the most common location, of course the armpits
palms, feet, forehead, armpits sweat, both individually and simultaneously

And generalized- when the whole body sweats simultaneously and profusely, as a rule, this occurs during feverish conditions, infectious and other diseases. In this case, you should definitely consult a doctor.

There is also a classification into primary and secondary:

Primary - occurs during puberty, in adolescence in 1% of the population.
Secondary - is a consequence of a number of different somatic, endocrine, neurological diseases.

Sweat has no odor, however, each person experiences an odor of varying intensity when sweating. Why does sweat smell? The unpleasant odor of sweat is caused by toxic substances, which are released from the body with the help of sweat glands, as well as by bacteria that enter from the outside and decompose the protein components of sweat.

Increased sweating at night

If, while sleeping at a normal temperature in a room with appropriate bed linen and a blanket, a person sweats, wakes up wet, the head or back or chest sweats, it is imperative to determine the causes of increased sweating.

During sleep, the process of natural sweating decreases, since the person does not move, is not nervous, the body is calm, and all processes are slowed down. Therefore, the occurrence of increased sweating at night serves as a signal to consult a doctor, since this may be a symptom of a serious illness.

With increased sweating at night, the causes may be the following diseases: ARVI, influenza, pneumonia, vegetative-vascular dystonia, tuberculosis, malignant tumors, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, leukemia, diseases thyroid gland, immune disorders, stroke, cardiovascular diseases, systemic fungal infections, abscesses, hepatitis, AIDS, etc.

What can a doctor ask when contacting him?

To rule out or suspect serious pathological conditions, the doctor may ask the patient the following:

Constant or periodic increased sweating, does it increase under stress?
Is sweating limited to certain areas (forehead, head, palms, feet, armpits) or general?
Does anyone else in the family suffer from similar discomfort?
When does sweating occur more often at night or during the day?
Do you feel hot when those around you do not feel the same or even feel cold?
Do you experience increased fatigue, weakness, tremors, loss of coordination, or fainting?
Does excessive sweating affect your work, social, or personal life?
Has there been a decrease in weight and appetite?
What medications do you take—for pain, hypertension, glaucoma, etc.?
Do you have a cough, fever, or swollen lymph nodes?

Causes of local increased sweating

Local hyperhidrosis often runs in families.

Gustatory hyperhidrosis - increased sweating associated with eating

This type of local manifestation of hyperhidrosis appears after eating certain foods, such as hot tea, coffee, chocolate, other hot drinks, as well as spicy dishes, seasonings, and sauces. In this case, increased sweating of the face appears, namely, sweating is localized more often on the upper lip and forehead. The cause may be a condition that occurs after severe viral or bacterial infectious diseases salivary glands or surgical interventions on the salivary glands.

Idiopathic hyperhidrosis

Increased sweating is associated with overstimulation or initially high tone of the parasympathetic part of the autonomic nervous system. Most often, a person begins to feel the manifestations of idiopathic hyperhidrosis at the age of 15-30 years. Increased sweating appears both in all of these areas at once, and in combination, most often the palmar and plantar areas. This type of disease often goes away on its own. It is believed that women are most susceptible to increased sweating due to constant hormonal changes- puberty, pregnancy and childbirth, menopause.

Men who exercise or sweat profusely at the gym 3 times a week should take additional magnesium supplements. Research by scientists has shown that bodybuilders, due to regular increased sweating during training, risk lowering magnesium levels to a critical level, at which a loss of strength occurs, heart rhythm disturbances - cardiac arrhythmia. Therefore, men with excessive sweating during sports should diversify their daily diet with foods containing magnesium.

Causes of generalized increased sweating

Most experts are convinced that in 80% of cases the causes of increased sweating are hereditary factors. Pathological conditions that are familial and manifest as hyperhidrosis include:

Diabetes mellitus
Thyrotoxicosis
Arterial hypertension

Hyperhidrosis can be a sign of somatic diseases, neuropsychic, or be the result of neglect of personal hygiene rules or intake medicines. After infectious diseases, during treatment with antibiotics, it can develop, which is also accompanied by excessive sweating (see 11 rules).

Infectious diseases, poisoning

Most acute and chronic diseases are of viral or bacterial origin, poisoning (or toxic substances) - cause an increase in body temperature and, as a result, intoxication, chills, hyperhidrosis. Diseases such as malaria, brucellosis, and septicemia are accompanied by profuse sweating. For pulmonary tuberculosis and extrapulmonary forms of the disease, high body temperature is not typical; most often patients have a subfebrile temperature of 37.2-37.5, and excessive sweating at night.

Endocrine disorders

Diseases such as thyrotoxicosis, diabetes mellitus (low blood sugar), in addition to the main symptoms, also manifest as generalized excessive sweating. Excessive sweating in women is often observed during pregnancy, and also during premenopause, many women suffer from climacteric syndrome, accompanied by hot flashes and sudden sweating (see). Generalized hyperhidrosis is experienced by 60% of patients with dysfunction of the pituitary gland - acromegaly. With pheochromocytoma, excessive sweating in combination with hypertension are sometimes the only signs of the disease.

Oncological diseases

Any malignant tumors may be accompanied by weakness and increased sweating. Lymphomas, Hodgkin's disease are accompanied by a febrile state alternating with a decrease in body temperature, increased fatigue and generalized excessive sweating in the evening and at night (see).

Kidney diseases

With kidney disease, the process of formation and natural filtration of urine is disrupted, so the body strives to get rid of excess fluid through the sweat glands.

Vegetative-vascular dystonia

Very often, with VSD, the patient suffers from excessive sweating, including at night (see).

Taking certain medications

Taking insulin, analgesics (morphine, promedol), aspirin, pilocarpine, bethanekol, antiemetics - in overdose or with prolonged use, cause increased sweating.

Lesions of the central nervous system

Neurological disorders such as stroke, tabes dorsalis, and damage to nerve tissue due to neurosyphilis can also be causes of hyperhidrosis.

Psychosomatic disorders

Against the background of stress, nervous overload, depression, fear, anger, rage, mechanisms are triggered that lead to hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous system, which is also accompanied by sweating.

Reaction to pain syndrome

When sharp, intense pain occurs, many people, as they say, break out in a cold sweat. Therefore during severe pain, spasms, chemical irritation, stretching internal organs increased sweating may occur.

Treatment of excessive sweating

If hyperhidrosis is independent disease, and not a sign of the serious diseases listed above, then to mitigate its manifestations, today modern medicine offers a lot of different methods and methods of treatment:

Using antiperspirants- the best of them are Odaban (effective for up to 10 days), Drydry (1 bottle lasts for six months), Maxim (one bottle lasts for almost a year)
Drug therapy- medications based on belladonna alkaloids (Bellataminal, Bellaspon, Belloid), belladonna reduces the production of secretions by the sweat glands and helps in the fight against hyperhidrosis without causing dependence. For local treatment use Formagel, Formidron
Sedatives, such as motherwort, valerian, belladonna, as well as hypnosis sessions, meditation, Yoga classes, positive positive attitudes, affirmations that should be spoken daily - all this helps to calm the nervous system and be calmer in stressful situations
Physiotherapeutic procedures- pine-salt baths, iontophoresis, electrosleep, etc.
Laser - for excessive sweating of the armpits, today doctors use a laser, which destroys 70% of the sweat glands.
Botox injections, Dysport- the effect of this method is a long-term blocking of the nerve endings of the sweat glands, which reduces sweating.

Procedures such as Botex and laser are extreme measures and should only be used in special cases. These methods are actively advertised and recommended today, but they have a number of contraindications and may have long-term consequences. Sweating is a natural process of cleansing the body, removing toxins, which may not be safe to interfere with using such methods and may have long-term consequences. negative consequences for health.

Excessive sweating can create many problems for a person. Therefore, in such a situation, the inevitable question becomes: where did it come from and what to do now.

Excessive sweating is not only a medical problem, but also a social one. And it can touch everyone. According to statistics, about 2-3% of people suffer from this disease to one degree or another. But some cases are particularly concerning.

What is excessive sweating?

Sweating is a normal and healthy process necessary for the functioning of the body. A person always sweats, even in the absence of any physical and emotional stress or during sleep. This is how the body maintains normal water-salt balance.

Under some normal physiological conditions, sweating can increase dramatically. These include:

Heat.
Physical activity.
Stress.
Eating food, especially hot and spicy food.
Drinking alcohol.
Increased body temperature.

But sometimes heavy sweating occurs in normal situations when it should not occur. It is in this case that it can be considered a sign of trouble.

In some cases, sweating may increase

Disease or symptom?

Many people believe that excessive sweating is a disease that needs to be treated. But in fact, two forms can be distinguished:

Primary. This is the so-called idiopathic hyperhidrosis - independent increased sweating. Doctors cannot yet say why this problem occurs. Heredity is considered one of the possible causes, since most often one of the parents also has hyperhidrosis.
Secondary. In most cases, increased sweating is just a manifestation of some other disease. In this case, it is necessary to look for the root cause and eliminate it.

Thus, increased sweating can be either an independent disease or a manifestation of some other disease. And depending on the cause, the features of hyperhidrosis appear.

Types of excessive sweating

To determine the characteristics of hyperhidrosis, doctors identify a number of characteristics:

Intensity. Depending on how severe sweating is, it can be mild, moderate or severe.
Localization. There are generalized and local sweating. In the first case, the sweat glands of the entire body secrete noticeably more fluid. In the second, only certain areas are affected: the face, armpits, palms, soles, large folds, groin, and so on. Most often, several locations are combined, for example, palms and armpits.
Periodicity. Increased sweating can be constant, periodic or seasonal, associated with certain times of the year.

The combination of these characteristics is influenced by many factors, but primarily by the cause of the disease.

The causes of increased sweating can be determined by your doctor.

Causes of increased sweating

As mentioned above, there can be many reasons for increased sweating. Below we will try to compile a list of the most likely:

Diseases associated with elevated temperature. In this case, increased sweating helps reduce general temperature body and protect it from overheating. In this case, the reason for the rise in temperature is not even important; the body’s reaction will be standard.
Poisoning. Increased sweating in this situation is one of the body’s many reactions to intoxication.
Infectious diseases. Many infections in the acute stage cause hyperhidrosis as one of the symptoms.
Climax. One of the most unpleasant manifestations of female menopause is “hot flashes” associated with attacks of increased secretion.
Psychological problems. Panic attacks, phobias, obsessive fears can cause an attack of sweating.
Endocrine diseases. Hormonal imbalance has many forms and manifestations, one of which is increased sweating.
Diabetes. Hyperhidrosis is typical for diabetes of any type and form.
Neoplasms. Some tumors, both benign and malignant, that form in the brain can cause this appearance.
Hyperthyroidism. Increased production of thyroid hormones often leads to local or generalized hyperhidrosis.
Withdrawal syndrome. Abstinence caused by abruptly quitting drugs or alcohol after long-term use, manifested by a number of characteristic symptoms, including increased sweating.
Reflux disease. Another potential explanation for sweating episodes is gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Stroke. Increased sweating is not a necessary symptom of a stroke, but it can accompany it.
Some cardiac diseases. Angina pectoris, arrhythmia, hypertensive crisis may be accompanied by increased sweating.

In addition, excessive sweating is part of many syndromes - a set of typical signs of diseases. Therefore, without special diagnostics It can be difficult to figure out what exactly led to the appearance of increased sweating.

Diagnosis of increased sweating

It is necessary to carry out certain procedures to diagnose the causes of hyperhidrosis

In most cases, to specify the localization and intensity of increased sweating, some general methods are used:

Gravimetric method. It is used to determine the intensity of sweating. A sheet of absorbent paper is placed on the dried surface of the skin, which is pre-weighed on precise scales. After a minute, the sheet is removed and re-weighed to determine the amount of sweat released.
Minor's sample. Using this method, the area of hyperhidrosis is determined. To do this, it is dried, treated with iodine solution and covered with starch. As a result, areas of active sweating acquire an intense black-blue color.
Bacteriological culture, chromatography and other methods for studying the composition of sweat.

Using these methods, doctors can more accurately determine the type and degree of hyperhidrosis.

Who should I go to?

Often people find it difficult to answer which doctor they should contact with such a problem. The first-line doctor can be a general practitioner, as a specialist with the most general profile. He will be able to conduct an initial diagnosis and determine which specialist should treat this particular case.

Another approach is to contact a dermatologist, since he is the one who diagnoses and treats diseases of the skin and its appendages, which include the sweat glands.

But at the same time it may be necessary to carry out additional diagnostics in narrower ones, specialized specialists. It may include a cardiogram, blood test, general and biochemical, ultrasound of internal organs, determination of the hormonal profile, and so on. After this, it will be possible to choose the appropriate treatment. And first of all, it should be aimed at eliminating the primary disease.

Lifestyle with excessive sweating

Treatment of excessive sweating is a rather complex and complex process, despite the fact that the problem at first glance does not seem to be something serious and worthy special attention. As a rule, the first thing recommended is a number of general measures, normalizing lifestyle:

Change your diet. It is worth excluding fried and fatty foods, as well as heavily peppered, hot and spicy foods, black tea, coffee, and carbonated drinks.
If there is overweight, you should get rid of it, since it is it that often provokes increased sweating.
Care must be taken to maintain hygiene. The fact is that sweat is an excellent breeding ground for bacteria, which live in large numbers on the skin. As a result, additional dermatological diseases may be added to increased sweating.
It is recommended to take a shower at least once a day, and more often in the hot season.
All clothing must be made from natural fabrics; synthetic items are unacceptable. Clothing should be loose enough, breathable and moisture-absorbing. Cotton and viscose work well.
Some attention should be paid to cosmetics. In particular, you need to discuss the type of antiperspirant with your doctor.

If you experience excessive sweating, you have to reconsider your lifestyle

But all this gives only partial relief, without affecting the root cause of the disease and its manifestations.

Methods for treating excessive sweating

Over the years of dealing with this problem, doctors have accumulated extensive experience and many various techniques. Some of them are quite radical surgical, some are less traumatic physiotherapeutic. It is with them that it is recommended to begin treatment. Among the most effective are the following:

Drug treatment. In most cases, taking medications has a fairly weak effect, but still within the limits complex therapy Sometimes it is recommended to take sedatives, as well as some other drugs.
Electrophoresis. A course of electrophoresis has a certain effect in reducing excessive sweating. The electrodes are applied directly to areas of increased sweating, after which a weak light is applied to them. electric current. As a rule, a course of up to 10 procedures is recommended. Side effects include noticeable painful sensations, irritation, dermatoses, allergic reactions, the appearance of a rash. Therefore, despite the fact that this method has been used for about half a century, today it is used less and less.
Botox injections. Injections of microdoses of botulinum toxin A, similar in composition to the agent used for Botox, have a good and long-lasting effect in reducing sweating. After just a few days, due to difficulty in the passage of nerve impulses to the sweat glands, sweating stops. This method is effective for local forms of hyperhidrosis and helps get rid of it for several years, after which the procedure will have to be repeated. Botulinum toxin A injections have been used in the treatment of this disease for about 5 years, and this method is now considered the most effective and safe.
Laser therapy. Laser therapy provides a long-lasting and durable effect. A light guide is inserted through a small incision under the skin, with the help of which the sweat glands are thermally destroyed and nerve fibers are cut. Thanks to this, the intensity of sweat secretion can be reduced by 90-95%, significantly reduced bad smell. The effect of laser destruction lasts for long term. A side effect of this procedure is a weakening of skin sensitivity.
Psychotherapy and hypnosis. Sometimes it is recommended to treat hyperhidrosis with similar methods, but they can only be effective in cases where it is of a psychogenic nature.

Sweating is a physiological natural process that occurs in the human body. Its main function is to maintain normal body temperature and, of course, protect against overheating. Any healthy person can experience increased sweating during sunny weather, during strong excitement or after physical activity. However, sometimes severe sweating in men becomes the most real problem and causes a feeling of discomfort. It is for this reason that you need to know how to deal with this problem.

Pathological sweating: what is it like?

Pathological sweating is a disease when severe sweating appears for no apparent reason. This is also called hyperhidrosis. It causes a person enormous moral and physical discomfort, and sometimes can even cause social problems.

There are several types of hyperhidrosis:

Primary sweating. We talk about it when it is not possible to detect the cause.
Secondary sweating. It is expressed as a symptom of a more serious disease. If problems with the body disappear, the symptom disappears.
Local sweating. Affects certain areas of the body. For example, only on the head or only on the armpits.
General sweating. In this case, the entire body is then covered.

Causes of hyperhidrosis

Why might sweating occur in women? The reasons may vary. The most common are the following:

Sweating may be a symptom that a person is suffering from an infectious disease. For example, this could be tuberculosis, thyroid problems or diabetes.
Kidney diseases. In this situation, the process of formation and filtration of urine is difficult, so the body is simply forced to remove excess water through the sweat glands.
Obesity can also cause hyperhidrosis. It is especially pronounced in the summer.
A person's nervous excitability is increased. Any stress, fear or anxiety can cause you to sweat more than usual.
Heredity (refers to local sweating).
If it was noticed in the leg area, the causes may be hidden in skin diseases (for example, fungal infections).

Drug treatment

Drug treatment for excessive sweating can only be prescribed by your attending physician, after all tests have been taken and carried out. For example, for constant increased nervous excitability, sedatives. Iontophoresis will help solve the problem for several weeks. If after this severe sweating begins to bother you again, the procedure can be repeated.

In some cases, Botox injections are prescribed. They reduce sweating for a longer period, about six months.

In rare cases, the attending physician may prescribe local liposuction for obese patients. If you have increased body sweating, then make an appointment with a doctor so that he can identify the cause of the problem, analyze the situation and prescribe treatment based on his findings.

for hyperhidrosis

Chamomile is a universal medicinal plant. An infusion based on these flowers is used for many diseases. Chamomile is also used if a person suffers from increased sweating throughout the body or in certain parts of it.

Dry chamomile can be purchased at any pharmacy. Brew six tablespoons of the plant with two liters of boiling water in a convenient container. Cover the liquid tightly with a lid and let stand for about 1 hour. Wait a little until everything cools down and strain the infusion. After this, add two tablespoons of soda and mix everything well. The folk remedy against sweating is ready. Wipe the problem areas with the resulting liquid using a cotton swab as often as possible. The only negative this tool is that the next day it already loses all its medicinal properties, so everything will need to be prepared again.

Horsetail infusion for hyperhidrosis

An infusion prepared from horsetail is excellent remedy against sweating, which can be prepared at home without much effort.

Buy regular vodka at the store. Very important: it should not be alcohol, but vodka. For one tablespoon of horsetail you will need 10 tablespoons of vodka. Based on these proportions, prepare yourself as much infusion as your heart desires.

Before using the liquid, be sure to let it stand in a dark place for at least 2-3 days. Shake the container periodically to prevent sediment from forming. When you're ready, lubricate areas where you sweat a few times a day.

However, you should not be too zealous to avoid redness.

Infusion of walnut leaves for hyperhidrosis

Alcohol tincture walnut will be able to help you combat such a problem as severe sweating.

For preparation you will need dried ones. You can collect and prepare them yourself or purchase ready-made herbs at the pharmacy. In any case, the result will be effective.

Prepare a convenient container in which mix dry walnut leaves and vodka (proportion 1:10). Then find the darkest, driest and warmest place in the house and place the product there to let it settle for a week.

When the infusion is ready, you can begin to use it in the fight against excessive sweating. Just wipe the most problematic areas with the resulting liquid every morning and before bed.

Pine branches are an effective remedy for excessive sweating

Severe sweating is not a death sentence. Certainly, this problem makes a person experience discomfort and many other unpleasant sensations, but you should not give up. You can always find a solution. If you have a pine tree growing near your house, be sure to collect its young branches. Then they need to be steamed well in a water bath. This is done very simply:

take a large saucepan, fill it halfway with water and bring to a boil;
reduce the gas, put a smaller pan inside with pine branches and a small amount of water;
We leave the branches to simmer for about half an hour in a water bath.

The anti-sweating remedy will be ready after it has cooled. Steamed pine branches should be used for compresses most problem areas. After several procedures, severe sweating will no longer bother you so much. Most importantly, do not forget to apply compresses every day before going to bed.

Nutrition for hyperhidrosis

Poor nutrition can also cause excessive sweating. If this problem is familiar to you, then it’s time to reconsider your daily diet.

Particular attention should be paid to products that contain vitamin C. It can be found to a greater extent in citrus fruits, sauerkraut or horseradish. But before consuming them, be sure to make sure that you do not have a predisposition to allergies to these products.

Many tests have been conducted that have proven that vitamin C can normalize the functioning of the sweat glands. This means that severe sweating with time will pass, and you will forget that you were ever worried about this.

Do not forget about the rules of hygiene, take a shower at least twice a day. For sweating, it is recommended to use tar soap. If you are going to apply antiperspirant to the armpit area, then you should do this only clean skin. No anti-sweating remedy will work if used incorrectly.
Be especially careful when choosing clothes and underwear. You should not wear things made of synthetic fabric because they will only increase sweat production. Give preference to natural materials. This also applies to shoes: forget about artificial leather.
To stop excessive sweating from bothering you, eliminate too spicy foods and seasonings from your diet. It has been proven that cumin, garlic, fish and some other foods not only increase sweating, but also give it a more pungent odor.

Now you know what sweating is. You know the causes, treatment and prevention, but do not forget that you need to consult a doctor in a timely manner. Use it useful tips And folk recipes presented above - and such a problem as hyperhidrosis will never get in your way.

What is increased sweating, forms (primary, secondary) and degrees of hyperhidrosis, treatment methods, doctor’s recommendations - video

Treatment of hyperhidrosis with folk remedies: oak bark, soda, vinegar, potassium permanganate, diet

Heavy sweating(excessive sweating) is called hyperhidrosis and is a condition in which a person produces large amounts of sweat in various areas of the body in situations in which little or no sweat is normally produced. Heavy sweating can occur all over the body or only in certain areas (armpits, feet, palms, face, head, neck, etc.). If increased sweating is observed throughout the body, then this phenomenon is called generalized hyperhidrosis. If excessive sweating concerns individual parts of the body, then this is localized (local) hyperhidrosis.

Treatment of hyperhidrosis, regardless of its location (generalized or localized) and the mechanism of development (primary or secondary), is carried out using the same methods and drugs, the action of which is aimed at reducing the intensity of the sweat glands.

Heavy sweating - the essence of pathology and the mechanism of development

Normally, a person constantly produces a small amount of sweat, which does not cause any discomfort. At high ambient temperatures (for example, heat, bathhouse, sauna, etc.), during physical activity, when eating hot food or drinking, as well as in some other situations (for example, stress, spicy food, etc.) sweating may increase and become noticeable to the person himself and others. However, in these cases, increased sweating is normal reaction the body, aimed at cooling the body and preventing overheating.

Heavy sweating refers to the increased production of sweat in situations for which this is not normally typical. For example, if a person sweats at rest or with slight excitement, then we are talking about increased sweating.

Factors that provoke heavy sweating can be absolutely any physical, mental or physiological phenomena. However, the main difference between heavy sweating and normal sweating is the onset of profuse sweating in situations in which this would not normally occur.

The general mechanism for the development of any type of hyperhidrosis, regardless of the nature and strength of the causative factor, is excessive activity of the sympathetic nervous system, which activates the sweat glands. That is, a signal is transmitted through the nerve fibers of the sympathetic department of the peripheral nervous system to the sweat glands, which, as a result of this influence, are activated and begin to work in an enhanced mode. Naturally, if the sympathetic nervous system works too actively, then its influence on the sweat glands is also greater than normal, which leads to increased production of sweat.

However increased activity The sympathetic nervous system is just a mechanism for hyperhidrosis. But the exact reasons for the increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system are unknown. After all, excessive sweating can develop against the background of complete health, and with certain diseases, and with emotional experiences, and when taking a number of medications, and with a whole number of very interesting factors that, at first glance, have nothing to do with sympathetic nervous system. However, scientists and doctors were only able to establish for sure that with increased sweating, provoking factors lead to one thing - activation of the sympathetic nervous system, which, in turn, enhances the work of the sweat glands.

Since an imbalance in the activity of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems is characteristic of vegetative-vascular dystonia, severe sweating is very common with this disorder. However, many people suffering from excessive sweating do not have vegetative-vascular dystonia, so consider this pathology as the most common and probable cause of sweating cannot be.

If severe sweating develops in a person against the background of any diseases, then its development mechanism is exactly the same - that is, excessive activity of the sympathetic nervous system. Unfortunately, the exact mechanism of the influence of somatic, endocrinological and psychological disorders on the sympathetic nervous system is unknown, as a result of which the so-called “trigger” point of sweating has not been established. Because scientists and doctors do not know exactly how the process starts active work sympathetic nervous system, then it is currently impossible to regulate the brain centers that control the nerve fibers that transmit signals to the sweat glands. Therefore, to treat excessive sweating, you can only use symptomatic remedies, reducing the production of sweat by the glands.

Classification and brief characteristics of various types of severe sweating

Depending on the presence or absence of predisposing factors, excessive sweating is divided into two types:
1. Primary hyperhidrosis (idiopathic).
2. Secondary hyperhidrosis (associated with illness, medications, and emotional hyperreactivity).

Primary or idiopathic hyperhidrosis

Primary or idiopathic hyperhidrosis is physiological feature human body and develops for unknown reasons. That is, primary excessive sweating develops against the background of complete health without any visible reasons and is not a sign of any disorder or disease. As a rule, idiopathic hyperhidrosis is hereditary, that is, it is passed on from parents to children. According to international data, this form of excessive sweating affects from 0.6% to 1.5% of people. With primary idiopathic hyperhidrosis, a person, as a rule, sweats heavily only in certain parts of the body, for example, feet, palms, armpits, neck, etc. Excessive sweating throughout the body is extremely rare in primary hyperhidrosis.

Secondary hyperhidrosis

Secondary hyperhidrosis develops against the background of any existing diseases, when taking certain medications and with severe severity emotional reactions. That is, with secondary hyperhidrosis there is always a visible cause that can be identified. Secondary excessive sweating is characterized by the fact that a person sweats heavily throughout the whole body, and not any individual parts. If a person suspects that he has secondary sweating, then he should consult a doctor for a detailed examination, which will identify the disease that has become the causative factor of severe sweating.

In addition to dividing hyperhidrosis into primary and secondary, excessive sweating is also classified into the following three types depending on the volume of skin involved in the pathological process:
1. Generalized hyperhidrosis;
2. Localized (local, local) hyperhidrosis;
3. Gustatory hyperhidrosis.

Generalized hyperhidrosis

Generalized hyperhidrosis is a variant of excessive sweating throughout the body, when a person sweats from all areas of the skin, including the back and chest. Like generalized hyperhidrosis It is almost always secondary and is provoked by various diseases or medications. In addition, this type of sweating develops in pregnant women, in early postpartum period, in the second half of the menstrual cycle, as well as during menopause. In women, sweating in these conditions is due to hormonal characteristics with the predominant effect of progesterone, which stimulates the sympathetic nervous system.

Localized hyperhidrosis

Localized hyperhidrosis is a variant in which a person sweats only certain parts of the body, for example:

Palms;
Feet;
Armpits;
Area around the lips;
Face;
Back;
Skin of the external genitalia;
Anal area;
tip of the nose;
Chin;
The scalp.

With local hyperhidrosis, only certain parts of the body sweat, while others produce sweat in normal amounts. This form sweating is usually idiopathic and is most often caused by vegetative-vascular dystonia. Excessive sweating of each individual part of the body is usually called a special term in which the first word is derived from the Latin or Greek name for the part of the body with excessive sweating, and the second is “hyperhidrosis”. For example, excessive sweating of the palms will be referred to as “palmar hyperhidrosis”, feet – “plantar hyperhidrosis”, armpits – “axillary hyperhidrosis”, head and neck – “craniofacial hyperhidrosis”, etc.

Usually sweat does not have any odor, but with local hyperhidrosis, bromidrosis (osmidrosis) or chromidrosis may develop. Bromidrosis is a foul-smelling sweat that usually results from poor hygiene or from consuming foods with pungent odor, for example, garlic, onions, tobacco, etc. If a person consumes products with a strong odor, then the aromatic substances contained in them, released from the human body through sweat, give it an unpleasant aroma. Bromidrosis, if hygiene is not observed, develops due to the fact that bacteria living on the surface of the skin begin to actively decompose protein substances released in sweat, resulting in the formation of foul-smelling compounds of sulfur, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, etc. In addition, foul-smelling sweat with hyperhidrosis can occur in people with diabetes mellitus, skin syphilis (syphilitic rashes) and pemphigus, as well as in women suffering from disorders menstrual cycle.

Chromydrosis represents the coloring of sweat in various colors (orange, black, etc.). Similar phenomenon occurs when any toxic substances and chemical compounds (mainly compounds of cobalt, copper and iron) enter the human body, as well as in the presence of hysterical seizures and systemic diseases.

Gustatory hyperhidrosis

Gustatory hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating upper lip, skin around the mouth or tip of the nose after eating hot, hot or spicy food or drinks. In addition, gustatory hyperhidrosis can develop with Frey's syndrome (pain in the temple and temporomandibular joint, combined with profuse sweating in the temples and ears).

Many doctors and scientists do not distinguish gustatory hyperhidrosis as a separate type of excessive sweating, but include it as part of the localized form of excessive sweating.

Features of local hyperhidrosis of some localizations

Let's consider the features of increased sweating in some of the most common localizations.

Excessive sweating under the arms (axillary hyperhidrosis)

Heavy sweating under the arms is quite common and is usually caused by strong emotions, fear, anger or excitement. Any diseases rarely cause sweating of the armpits, therefore local hyperhidrosis of this localization is almost always idiopathic, that is, primary.

However, isolated secondary excessive sweating in the armpits can be caused by the following diseases:

Follicular mucinosis;
Blue nevus;
Tumors of cavernous structure.

Axillary hyperhidrosis is treated in the same way as any other form of excessive sweating.

Severe sweating of the head

Excessive sweating of the head is called cranial hyperhidrosis and is quite common, but less common is excessive sweating of the palms, feet and armpits. Such local excessive sweating, as a rule, is idiopathic, but in some cases it is secondary and is caused by the following diseases and conditions:

Neuropathy in diabetes mellitus;
Herpes zoster of the face and head;
Diseases of the central nervous system;
Damage to the parotid salivary gland;
Frey's syndrome;
Skin mucinosis;
Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy;
Blue nevus;
Cavernous tumor;
Sympathectomy.

In addition, the scalp may sweat a lot after consuming hot, spicy or spicy drinks or foods. The treatment and course of excessive sweating of the head does not differ from that of other localizations.

Excessive sweating of the feet (sweating feet, plantar hyperhidrosis)

Severe sweating of the feet can be either idiopathic or provoked by various diseases or wearing incorrectly selected shoes and socks. Thus, many people develop foot hyperhidrosis due to wearing tight shoes or shoes with rubber soles, as well as the constant use of nylon, elastic tights or socks.

The problem of excessive sweating of the feet is very relevant, since it causes severe discomfort to a person. After all, when the feet sweat, an unpleasant odor almost always appears; the socks are constantly wet, as a result of which the feet freeze. In addition, the skin on the legs, under the influence of sweat, becomes damp, cold, cyanotic and easily damaged, as a result of which a person is constantly faced with infectious and inflammatory diseases.

Excessive sweating of the palms (palmar hyperhidrosis)

Severe sweating of the palms is usually idiopathic. However, sweating of the palms can also be secondary, and in this case it usually develops due to emotional experiences, such as excitement, worry, fear, anger, etc. Sweaty palms caused by any disease are very rare.

Heavy facial sweating

Severe facial sweating can be either idiopathic or secondary. Moreover, in the case of secondary facial hyperhidrosis, this problem is usually caused by diseases of the nervous and endocrine systems, and also emotional experiences. Also quite often, excessive facial sweating occurs when consuming hot foods and drinks.

Features of excessive sweating in various situations

Let's consider the features of hyperhidrosis in various situations and in certain conditions.

Heavy sweating at night (during sleep)

Increased sweating during the hours of rest at night can bother both men and women, and the causative factors of this condition are exactly the same for all people, regardless of gender and age.

Night sweats can be idiopathic or secondary. Moreover, if such sweating is secondary, then this indicates a severe systemic infectious or cancer. The causes of secondary night sweats can be the following diseases:

Systemic fungal infection (for example, aspergillosis, systemic candidiasis, etc.);
Long-term chronic infections of any organs (for example, chronic tonsillitis, etc.);

If, in addition to night sweats, a person experiences rapid fatigue, loss of body weight, or frequent increases in body temperature above 37.5 o C, then hyperhidrosis is undoubtedly secondary and acts as a sign serious illness. In the case when none of the above, besides sweating at night, bothers a person, hyperhidrosis is idiopathic and does not pose any danger.

It should be said that despite the fact that night sweats may be symptom severe illness, in most cases, people suffering from this problem do not have any health problems. Typically, idiopathic night sweats are caused by stress and anxiety.

If a person has idiopathic night sweats, then to reduce its severity it is recommended to follow the following rules:

Make the bed as comfortable as possible and sleep on a hard mattress and pillow;
Ensure the air temperature in the room in which you plan to sleep is no more than 20 - 22 o C;
If possible, it is recommended to open the bedroom window at night;
Lose weight if you are overweight.

Heavy sweating during physical activity

During physical activity, increased sweating is considered normal, since a large amount of heat generated by muscles during intense work is removed from the human body by evaporation of sweat from the surface of the skin. A similar mechanism of increased sweating during physical activity and in the heat prevents the human body from overheating. This means that it is impossible to completely eliminate sweating during exercise. However, if this problem greatly bothers a person, then you can try to reduce sweating.

To reduce sweating during physical exercise You should wear loose, open, light clothing that does not cause additional heat to the skin. In addition, the areas of the most pronounced sweating can be treated with a special antiperspirant deodorant containing aluminum 1–2 days before planned physical activity. You should not apply deodorant to large areas of the body, as this blocks the production of sweat and can cause overheating of the body, manifested by weakness and dizziness.

Heavy sweating when sick

Excessive sweating can be caused by a fairly wide range of different diseases. Moreover, sweating itself, as such, does not play a significant role in the mechanisms of disease development, but is simply painful and unpleasant symptom causing serious discomfort to a person. Since sweating in diseases is treated in the same way as idiopathic hyperhidrosis, it makes sense to pay attention to it only in cases where it may indicate an unfavorable course of the pathology and the need for urgent medical attention.

So, you should definitely consult a doctor if sweating is combined with any of the following symptoms:

Significant reduction in body weight without dieting, physical activity, etc.;
Weakening or increasing appetite;
Persistent cough lasting more than 21 days in a row;
Periodic frequent increases in body temperature above 37.5 o C, occurring for several weeks in a row;
Chest pain, worsened by coughing, breathing and sneezing;
Spots on the skin;
Enlargement of one or more lymph nodes;
Feeling of discomfort and pain in the abdomen, which occurs quite often;
An attack of sweating is accompanied by palpitations and increased blood pressure.

Sweating in various diseases can be generalized or localized, occurring at night, in the morning, during the day, or against the background of emotional or physical stress. In other words, the characteristics of sweating in any disease can be quite variable.

In diseases of the thyroid gland and other internal secretion organs (endocrine glands), sweating develops quite often. Thus, attacks of generalized excessive sweating can occur with hyperthyroidism (Graves disease, thyroid adenoma, etc.), pheochromocytoma (adrenal tumor) and dysfunction of the pituitary gland. However, with these diseases, sweating is not the main symptom, since the person has other, much more serious dysfunctions of the body.

At hypertension Generalized sweating often develops, since during an attack of high blood pressure the activity of the sympathetic nervous system increases.

Heavy sweating during menopause

About half of all women experience hot flashes and sweating during menopause, but these symptoms are considered normal because they develop due to hormonal changes occurring in the body. When menstruation finally stops and a woman enters menopause, hot flashes, sweating and other painful symptoms characteristic of the period of decline menstrual function, will pass. However, the fact that sweating and hot flashes during menopause are normal does not mean that women should endure these painful manifestations of the body’s transition to another stage of functioning.

Thus, at present, to improve the quality of life and alleviate a woman’s condition, there is a wide range of medications that relieve such manifestations of the decline of menstrual function as sweating and hot flashes. To choose the best remedy for yourself, it is recommended to consult a gynecologist who can recommend hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or homeopathic medicines(for example, Klimaksan, Remens, Klimadinon, Qi-Klim, etc.).

Heavy sweating after childbirth and during pregnancy

During pregnancy and for 1 – 2 months after childbirth, a woman’s body produces progesterone in large quantities. Progesterone and estrogen are the main sex hormones of the female body, which are produced with a certain cyclicity so that in some periods one hormone has a predominant effect, and in others - the second.

Thus, during pregnancy, some time after childbirth, as well as in the second half of the menstrual cycle, the effects of progesterone prevail, since it is produced much more than estrogen. And progesterone increases the functioning of the sweat glands and their sensitivity to ambient temperature, which, accordingly, leads to increased sweating in women. Accordingly, increased sweating during pregnancy and some time after childbirth is completely normal occurrence, which should not be feared.

If sweating causes discomfort to a woman, then to reduce it during the entire period of pregnancy, you can use antiperspirant deodorants that are safe for the baby and do not affect its growth and development.

Night sweats - why we sweat at night: menopause (relief of symptoms), tuberculosis (treatment, prevention), lymphoma (diagnosis) - video

Heavy sweating in women and men

The causes, frequency of occurrence, types and principles of treatment for heavy sweating in men and women are exactly the same, so it is inappropriate to consider them in separate sections. The only one distinctive feature female excessive sweating is that the fair sex, in addition to all the other causes of hyperhidrosis, has one more - a regular increase in progesterone levels in the second half of each menstrual cycle, during pregnancy, after childbirth and during menopause. Therefore, women can suffer from sweating for the same reasons as men and additionally during certain periods of their lives when the influence of progesterone prevails in the hormonal background.

Heavy sweating - causes

Obviously, idiopathic severe sweating does not have any obvious and visible causes, and it can be provoked by ordinary situations, such as eating, mild excitement, etc. And sometimes attacks of sweating can occur without any visible provoking factor.

The situation is completely different with secondary severe sweating, which is always caused by some reason, which is a somatic, endocrine or other disease.

So, the following diseases and conditions may be the causes of secondary severe sweating:
1. Endocrine diseases:

Thyrotoxicosis ( high level thyroid hormones in the blood) against the background of Graves' disease, adenoma or other diseases of the thyroid gland;
Diabetes mellitus;
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar);
Pheochromocytoma;
Carcinoid syndrome;
Acromegaly;
Pancreatic dysfunction (decreased production of enzymes by the pancreas).

2. Infectious diseases:

Tuberculosis;
HIV infection;
Neurosyphilis;
Systemic fungal infections (for example, aspergillosis, systemic candidiasis, etc.);
Herpes zoster.

3. Infectious and inflammatory diseases of various organs:

Endocarditis;
Chronic tonsillitis, etc.

4. Neurological diseases:

Diencephalic syndrome of newborns;
Diabetic, alcoholic or other neuropathy;
Vegetative-vascular dystonia;
Syringomyelia.

5. Oncological diseases:

Hodgkin's disease;
Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas;
Compression of the spinal cord by a tumor or metastases.

6. Genetic diseases:

Riley-Day syndrome;

7. Psychological reasons:

Fear;
Pain;
Anger;
Anxiety;
Stress.

8. Other:

Hypertension;
Hyperplasia of sweat glands;
Keratoderma;
Withdrawal syndrome in alcoholism;
Opium withdrawal syndrome;
Damage to the parotid salivary glands;
Follicular mucinosis of the skin;
Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy;
Blue nevus;
Cavernous tumor;
Mushroom poisoning;
Poisoning with organophosphorus substances (OPS).

In addition, severe sweating may develop while taking the following medications as a side effect:

Aspirin and products containing acetylsalicylic acid;
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (Gonadorelin, Nafarelin, Buserelin, Leuprolide);
Antidepressants (most often Bupropion, Fluoxetine, Sertraline, Venlafaxine);
Insulin;
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (most often Paracetamol, Diclofenac, Ibuprofen);
Opioid analgesics;
Pilocarpine;
Sulfonylurea derivatives (Tolbutamide, Gliquidone, Gliclazide, Glibenclamide, Glipizide, etc.);
Promedol;
Emetics (ipecac, etc.);
Medicines for the treatment of migraine (Sumatriptam, Naratriptan, Rizatriptan, Zolmitriptan);
Theophylline;
Physostigmine.

Excessive sweating in a child - causes

Severe sweating can occur in children of all ages, even in infants in their first year of life. It should be remembered that excessive sweating in a child over 6 years of age, in terms of causative factors, types and methods of treatment, is completely equivalent to that in an adult, but in children under 6 years of age, hyperhidrosis is provoked by completely different reasons.

Thus, many newborn babies sweat intensely during feeding, when they suck on the breast or milk from a bottle. Children during the first 3 years of life sweat a lot during their sleep, regardless of whether they sleep during the day or at night. Increased sweating accompanies them during both night and nap. Scientists and doctors consider children to sweat during meals and sleep as a normal phenomenon, which reflects the baby’s body’s ability to remove excess heat to the outside and prevent overheating.

Remember that a child is adapted by nature to tolerate relatively low temperatures, and the optimal ambient temperature for him is 18 - 22 o C. At this temperature, a child can calmly walk in a T-shirt and not freeze, although almost any adult in the same clothes will be uncomfortable . Considering the fact that parents try to dress their children warmly, focusing on their own feelings, they constantly expose them to the danger of overheating. The child compensates for too warm clothes by sweating. And when heat production in the body increases even more (sleep and food), the child begins to sweat intensely in order to “shed” the excess.

There is a widespread belief among parents that excessive sweating of a child in the first 3 years of life is a sign of rickets. However, this opinion is completely untrue, since there is no connection between rickets and sweating.

In addition to these physiological causes of increased sweating in children, there are a number of factors that can cause hyperhidrosis in children. These factors represent diseases of the internal organs, which always manifest themselves in other, more noticeable and important symptoms, by the presence of which parents can understand that the child is sick.

Excessive sweating in children: causes, symptoms, treatment. Hyperhidrosis during pregnancy - video

Heavy sweating - what to do (treatment)

For any type of severe sweating, the same treatment methods are used, aimed at reducing sweat production and suppressing the activity of the glands. All these methods are symptomatic, that is, they do not affect the cause of the problem, but only eliminate a painful symptom - sweating, thereby increasing a person’s quality of life. If sweating is secondary, that is, provoked by some disease, then in addition to using specific methods to reduce sweating, it is imperative to treat the direct pathology that caused the problem.

So, the following methods are currently used to treat severe sweating:
1. External application of antiperspirants (deodorants, gels, ointments, wipes) to the skin to reduce sweat production;
2. Ingestion of tablets that reduce sweat production;
3. Iontophoresis;
4. Injections of botulinum toxin (Botox) in areas with excessive sweating;
5. Surgical methods for treating sweating:

Curettage of sweat glands in areas of excessive sweating (destruction and removal of sweat glands through an incision in the skin);
Sympathectomy (cutting or compressing the nerve going to the glands in the area of excessive sweating);
Laser lipolysis (laser destruction of sweat glands).

The listed methods represent the entire arsenal of ways to reduce excess sweating. Currently, they are used according to a certain algorithm, which involves first using the simplest and safest methods, and then, in the absence of the necessary and desired effect, moving on to others - more in complex ways therapy for hyperhidrosis. Naturally, more complex methods of therapy are more effective, but they have side effects.

So, modern algorithm The application of treatment methods for hyperhidrosis is as follows:
1. External use of any antiperspirant on areas of skin with excessive sweating;
2. Iontophoresis;
3. Botulinum toxin injections;
4. Taking pills that reduce hyperhidrosis;
5. Surgical methods for removing sweat glands.

Antiperspirants are a variety of products applied to the skin, such as deodorants, sprays, gels, wipes, etc. These products contain aluminum salts, which literally clog the sweat glands, blocking the production of sweat and thereby reducing sweating. Antiperspirants containing aluminum can be used long time, achieving optimal levels of sweating. Previously, drugs containing formaldehyde (Formidron) or methenamine were used as antiperspirants. However, at present their use is limited due to toxicity and relatively low effectiveness compared to products with aluminum salts.

When choosing an antiperspirant, you need to pay attention to the aluminum concentration, since the higher it is, the stronger the activity of the product. You should not choose products with maximum concentration, as this can cause severe skin irritation. It is recommended to start using antiperspirants with a minimum concentration (6.5%, 10%, 12%) and only if they are ineffective, use a product with a higher aluminum content. The final choice should be made with a product with the lowest possible concentration that effectively stops sweating.

Antiperspirants are applied to the skin for 6–10 hours, preferably at night, and then washed off. The next application is made after 1 - 3 days, depending on how much the effect of the product is sufficient for that particular person.

If antiperspirants are ineffective in reducing sweating, an iontophoresis procedure is performed, which is a type of electrophoresis. With iontophoresis using electric field Medications and salts penetrate deep into the skin, which reduce the activity of the sweat glands. To reduce sweating, iontophoresis sessions are performed with plain water, botulinum toxin or glycopyrrolate. Iontophoresis can stop sweating in 80% of cases.

If iontophoresis is ineffective, then to stop sweating, botulinum toxin is injected into the problem parts of the skin. These injections eliminate the problem of sweating in 80% of cases, and their effect lasts from six months to one and a half years.

Tablets that reduce sweating are taken only in cases where antiperspirants, iontophoresis and botulinum toxin injections are ineffective. These tablets include products containing glycopyrrolate, oxybutynin and clonidine. Taking these tablets is associated with numerous side effects (for example, difficulty urinating, sensitivity to light, palpitations, dry mouth, etc.), so they are used very rarely. Typically, people take anti-sweating pills before important meetings or events when they need to eliminate the problem reliably, effectively and for a relatively short period of time.

Finally, if conservative methods of stopping sweating do not help, you can use surgical treatment methods that involve destroying and removing the sweat glands or cutting the nerves leading to the problem area of the skin.

Curettage involves scraping out the sweat glands directly from the problem area of the skin with a small spoon. The operation is performed under local or general anesthesia and eliminates sweating in 70% of cases. In other cases, repeated curettage is required to remove some more glands.

Laser lipolysis is the destruction of sweat glands with a laser. In essence, this manipulation is similar to curettage, but is more gentle and safe, since it allows minimizing skin trauma. Unfortunately, laser lipolysis to reduce sweating is currently performed only in selected clinics.

Sympathectomy involves cutting or clamping the nerve leading to the sweat glands located in the problem area of the skin with heavy sweating. The operation is simple and highly effective. However, unfortunately, sometimes, as a complication of the operation, a person experiences excessive sweating in the adjacent area of skin.