Excessive sweating, also known as hyperhidrosis, happens when sweat glands produce more sweat than necessary for cooling the body. There are two main types:
- Primary hyperhidrosis: This is usually genetic and causes overactive sweat glands, especially in areas like the palms, feet, face, and armpits. It often starts in childhood or teenage years and is not linked to illness. It can happen even without physical activity or heat triggers.
- Secondary hyperhidrosis: This type is caused by underlying health conditions or medications. Causes include thyroid problems, diabetes, infections, menopause, anxiety, certain cancers, and some medications.
If sweating occurs excessively for no clear reason or with symptoms like night sweats or sweating all over the body, it may indicate a medical condition requiring evaluation by a healthcare professional. In sum, sweating so much can be due to overactive sweat glands from primary hyperhidrosis or due to other medical conditions affecting the body’s systems. Identifying if there is an underlying cause is important to address the sweating effectively.
