Sweat a lot, don’t sweat

We often think that, not sweating means that the body is not having any problems. But the reality is quite the opposite. No sweat is a concern. Sweat is released to regulate body temperature and keep the body from overheating. This is a normal function of the body with necessary benefits.

We have up to 4 million sweat glands in our body, and a healthy adult can shed up to 10 liters of sweat per day. However, sweating too much or too little can be a warning sign of certain related conditions.

Thyroid not working

Hyperthyroidism – the medical term for an overactive thyroid that can be the culprit behind your frequent sweating. According to the University of Pennsylvania Health System: “Hyperthyroidism can cause extreme heat sensitivity and sweating, making it difficult for people with hypothyroidism to stay warm.“. (Hypothyroidism is the term for an underactive thyroid gland.)

“When the body’s thyroid gland is functioning properly, its cells produce 65% of energy and 35% of heat. However, people with hypothyroidism produce either too much or not enough of the hormone thyroxine. This hormonal change can alter the body’s sweat production, causing excess heat and reduced energy, or vice versa.“, the agency said.

Other symptoms of hyperthyroidism can include fatigue, weight changes, and swelling in the neck where the thyroid is located.

Nervous system malfunction

Never breaking a sweat sounds like fun, but in reality, it can be very harmful. “Sweating helps remove heat from the body, helping the body cool down“, according to the Cleveland Clinic.”If you can’t sweat, your body is overheating, which can be dangerous and even life-threatening.“.

Some people are born with anhidrosis, a condition in which the body doesn’t sweat as it should. However, it can also be a symptom of a medical condition affecting the nervous system.

“Blood pressure, blood vessels, sweating and digestion are regulated by a part of the nervous system – often affected by Lewy body dementia“, according to the Mayo Clinic. The agency further notes that anhidrosis can also be a sign of Parkinson’s disease, stroke and spinal cord disease.

Heart disease

According to Healthline, sweating more than usual – especially if you don’t exercise – can be an early warning sign of cardiovascular problems. “The heart has to work harder to pump blood through the blocked arteries, so your body sweats more to try to keep your body temperature down.”

Commonly known heart attack symptoms include shortness of breath and pain in the chest, shoulder, or arm. But excessive sweating can also be a warning sign of a sudden heart attack.

Dr. Catherine Ryan, project coordinator for medical-surgical nursing at the Department of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA, told WebMD that heart attack patients who are sweating are more likely to find Early treatment increases the chance of recovery.

Diabetes

Excessive sweating can be a sign of diabetes. Research shows that up to 84% of people with diabetes sweat when they have low blood sugar, most commonly the back of their neck. During hypoglycemia, the body produces the hormone adrenaline in response to a drop in blood sugar, which leads to narrowing of blood vessels and activation of sweat glands.

In addition to sudden, heavy sweating, other symptoms of diabetes can include frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, numbness or tingling of the hands and feet, and extreme thirst.

Cancer

Night sweats can indicate a number of different ailments. According to Healthline, there are 6 types of cancer that patients often have symptoms of excessive sweating, which are: carcinoid tumor, leukemia, lymphoma, bone cancer, liver cancer and mesothelioma.

“It’s not clear why certain types of cancer cause night sweats. Sweating can be caused by hormone changes, a fever, or the body’s attempt to fight cancer.

In some cases, night sweats are not a symptom of the onset of cancer but are caused by treatments such as chemotherapy, hormone-altering drugs, and morphine.“, the agency said.