Sweating is the body's natural attempt to cool itself in high temperatures. However, in certain situations, sweating can be a sign that something is wrong, especially if it's excessive. Furthermore, uncontrolled sweating can present risks of its own, some of which are potentially fatal. Here are some of the conditions that involve excessive sweating (aka hyperhidrosis) as a symptom and the hazards associated with leaving it unaddressed.
Fever
One of the most common causes of excessive or unusual sweating is a fever. Fevers occur in response to an infection and raise the body temperature as the immune system fights off the invader. Most fevers don't result in excessive sweating, but if they're severe or persistent, hyperhidrosis may occur.
Heat Stroke
Heat stroke is a condition that results from spending too much time exposed to high temperatures. Once the body becomes overheated enough, it begins sweating uncontrollably in an emergency attempt to cool itself down. If the person doesn't to get to a cool location and replace lost fluids, other serious symptoms can occur. These include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, delirium, loss of consciousness, and seizures.
Heart Attack
A heart attack can present numerous symptoms, including breaking out in a cold, excessive sweat. Chest pain, difficulty breathing, jaw pain, arm pain and nausea may also occur, but in some cases, excessive sweating may be the only symptom. If a person suspects a heart attack at any time, it's important that he or she seek emergency help right away. The longer the delay, the more severely the heart may be damaged.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland, which is situated in the neck, produces excessive amounts of hormones. These chemicals control all of the body's other hormones, as well as its metabolic system. Surplus production of thyroid hormones means that the metabolic rate is sped up dramatically, and this can cause a number of symptoms worthy of medical concern. These often include excessive sweating, goiters, tremors, anxiety and panic attacks, menstrual disturbances, increased heart rate, insomnia, hair loss, and unexplained or rapid weight loss despite increased hunger.
Panic Attacks
Everyone experiences some level of anxiety throughout their lives, and many people will experience at least one full-blown panic attack. However, some individuals struggle with this more than others. Anxiety may be physical or psychological in origin, but the results are the same. Anxiety and panic trigger a large release of adrenaline, which in turn triggers a variety of symptoms that include excessive sweating.
Menopause
Menopause is the point in a woman's life when her childbearing years begin coming to a close. Levels of estrogen fluctuate as they start declining rapidly, creating a set of symptoms that range in intensity from mild to severe. These can impact not only mood and libido, but also physical comfort. In certain cases, they may also cause health problems. Sweating is one such symptom, and it occurs mainly during episodes of hot flashes. Menopausal women who experience severe and frequent hot flashes may sweat almost constantly, even in cool temperatures and during sleep.
Excessive Sweating Risks
Excessive sweating can be much more than an uncomfortable inconvenience. It can also present significant risks to a person's health. Sweating requires fluids, and these are taken directly from the body's water stores. Important minerals called electrolytes, which include calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and sodium, are lost along with water. Electrolytes are used in the body to regulate every function of the nervous system, such as muscle contractions, heart rhythm, and cognition.
If electrolytes become severely imbalanced or overly concentrated through excessive sweating, the nervous system starts behaving erratically, either failing to send nerve signals or sending them incorrectly. This has many potential consequences, some dire. Early symptoms often include dizziness, light-headedness, and intense thirst. As dehydration progresses, nausea, vomiting, tremors, and confusion develop. Eventually, the sweating ceases and the body temperature rises dangerously. If the problem is not corrected quickly at this point, heart attack, seizures, coma, or death may result.
