Hyperhidrosis, more commonly known as heavy sweating, is a disorder that causes heavy sweating not, necessarily, derived from physical activity. Hyperhidrosis generally appears during the teenage years, though it can be present from birth or come due to a medical condition (i.e., diabetes) or hormonal change (i.e., pregnancy or menopause). Common symptoms of heavy sweating are sweating through clothing and bedding, clamminess in the hands or soles, and noticeable sweating that is not a result of heat or exercise.
The triggers of heavy sweating may indicate an underlying health conditions, such as:
1. Vitamin D deficiency
Vitamin D deficiency is not an uncommon reality given that more people are working indoors and have difficulty recouping vitamin D levels through diet or sunlight. Vitamin D deficiency very well may be indicated through excessive sweating, and especially, having a sweaty head, as it is an early sign of being vitamin D deficient. Verily, a step you can take to discern the root cause of heavy sweating is to check if you’re getting enough sunlight, are consuming foods rich in vitamin D such as seafood and fatty fish, or if you need to be taking a vitamin D supplement.
2. Gout
Gout, a complex form of inflammatory arthritis, is another potential cause of hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating. If you experience pain in your joints, often in the big toe, and those joints are red, swollen, or accompanied by heat, then experiencing hyperhidrosis may be a result.
3. Parkinson’s disease
Due to an issue with the autonomic nervous system, which controls sweating, people with Parkinson’s may be prone to experiencing heavy sweating. Accompanied by increased sweating, the change that can occur in the sweat glands due to Parkinson’s, may also be witnessed in the body’s attempt to regulate sweating through directing it to the extremities, i.e. the feet, and head, where more sweating will take place than natural.
4. Hyperthyroidism
If you are experiencing excessive sweating, another potential cause is hyperthyroidism. An overactive thyroid can function to ramp up metabolism, thereby resulting in factors such as an increased heartbeat, unintentional weight loss, and hyperhidrosis.
5. Anxiety disorder
Anxiety disorder can also be a contributor to hyperhidrosis, as it can be linked to stress sweating, or experiencing anxiety due to social situations in which people are prone to sweat more. If you find yourself in situations where you are nervous, or excited, and are also sweating often, it may be the case that hyperhidrosis is contributing to your anxiety or vice-versa.
Naturally, heavy sweating can be quite disruptive in a person’s everyday life, and a source of embarrassment or general discomfort. It is important to discern if any serious health conditions are contributing to hyperhidrosis through consulting a medical professional. But, some ways you can attack hyperhidrosis include changes to diet, through identifying any possible problem foods that are a contributing factor, wearing leather shoes to allow your feet to breathe more, targeting and managing anxiety where you can, and using an antiperspirant. There are also prescription creams and nerve-blocking medications which can work to reduce sweating. Additionally, procedures such as microwave thermolysis, sweat gland removal, and nerve surgery.