Causes Of Hyperhidrosis

Sweat glands are located all over your body just under the skin. They secrete sweat. Sweat is a clear aqueous fluid. It is secreted so that it helps to regulate body temperature by evaporation.

Human beings have two types of sweat glands

The eccrine glands occur all over the body and are the primary means of sweat production. They secrete large amount of odorless aqueous sweat.

The apocrine sweat glands occur in selected areas in armpits, breasts, ears, genitalia and parts of the face and the scalp. They secrete a small amount of viscous fluid which after complex reactions with microorganisms is responsible for body odor.

Why do some people sweat more?

Disorder of either or both these types of sweat glands lead to hyperhidrosis. It may be defined as a condition of excessive sweating. When the brain feels that you are too hot, the hypothalamus sends a signal to secrete moisture and begin sweating. This signal follows a complicated neurological pathway. The command is communicated to the spinal cord. From there the sympathetic nervous system relays it to the sweat glands and the process begins. A false signal either to the brain or the spinal cord or the sympathetic nerves can therefore cause extreme sweating. The most notable fact is that all these impulses are involuntary. You cannot control them.

Types of hyperhidrosis

Two types of hyperhidrosis have been noted.

Primary hyperhidrosis mostly the cause is unknown, but it may be an inherited condition. Sweating is localized on face, palms, feet and underarm. This problem sets in during early adolescence and is likely to last throughout life.

Secondary hyperhidrosis may occur in any part of the body. It is generally caused by other conditions like hypothyroidism, infections, malignancy, obesity, menopause etc. It can set in during any time of life.

Causes

The common causes of hyperhidrosis are discussed as follows

It is often an inherited trait. If either of your parents sweated profusely, chances are high that you will too.

Psychological changes during puberty or menopause may also trigger off hyperhidrosis.

Sweating is controlled by the sympathetic nervous system. If these nerves malfunction and send wrong stimuli, perspiration will increase.

The command to sweat is communicated from the brain to the nerves via the spinal cord. So abnormalities of the spinal cord like syringomylia, tumors and lesions may send false signals to sweat.

Hypothalamus in brain is where the stimulus to sweat originates. Malfunctions here will off course lead to more perspiration.

If you are nervous, anxious, stressed or depressed, the brain feels that you are overheated. So signals are send to begin sweating to cool you down. Greater anxiety leads to greater sweating.

Obesity is another cause. Fatter you are, more the sweat glands work as your body tries to get rid of unwanted and excess minerals.

If you are accustomed to living in cold weather and have migrated to a much hotter more humid climate, your amount of sweating is likely to increase.

Certain food, drinks, nicotine, caffeine and smells can trigger excessive sweating.