Sweating is a part of normal body function. When you sweat, this usually means your body is doing its job of keeping you cool. In most cases, a person sweats in response to warm temperatures, exercise and emotional situations. Sometimes a people sweat excessively, however. In such a case, they perspire profusely and in the absence of any obvious reason. When sweating is excessive, doctors call the condition hyperhidrosis.
For most of us the ninety nine percent does not pose much of a problem as sweating comes naturally and in profusion to most of us.Though stinky and uncomfortable, sweat is in fact helpful in regulating body temperature and when our body temperatures rise, the sweat glands kick in and secrete a watery fluid which cools our body. However, excessive sweating can be a bother and can cause discomfort as well as embarrassment. Sweating under natural circumstances like while doing manual labor, or exercising or sweating during a hot day, is normal, but sweating excessively without a reason should set the alarm bells ringing.
What is sweat?
Sweat is produced by sweat glands which are located in the dermis (the inner layer of skin) and consists of a fluid containing water,Sweat Glands proteins, lipids and certain minerals. There are two types of sweat glands – Eccrine (found all over the surface of skin) and Apocrine (found mainly in the armpits and groin region). The eccrine glands, contain up to ninety percent water, start producing sweat soon after birth and function as thermo regulators in our body. On the other hand, the apocrine glands are hormone related and get kick started at puberty. They are supposed to be communication signals, as they contain certain chemicals like pheromones, and their release is linked to our emotions. They do not contain much water, and the concentration of lipids, proteins and hormones is mainly responsible for body odor and discoloration, as bacteria thrive very easily in this sweat.
Why do we sweat?
Sweat is a natural biological mechanism of our body which helps to regulate body temperature and keep us cool during hotter and humid ambience or after a strenuous workout. We also break into a sweat when we are emotionally stressed out or scared.
The idiom, breaking out in cold sweat means that we begin to sweat when we are anxious or frightened. Normally a person sweats up to a liter a day but excessive sweating could be caused by various factors.
Causes of Excessive Sweating
Exercise
During exercise or hard manual labor, our body temperature rises, thus causing our sweat glands to work overtime and produce extra sweat to help the body cool down.Stress or Emotional Conditions
Sometimes excessive sweating occurs as a symptom of a mental health condition. Sweating caused during times of stress is secreted by the apocrine glands and is indicated by sweaty palms, soles and underarms. For instance, depression and panic attacks induce excessive sweating and it is sometimes necessary to take medication to cure this.
Physical Ailments
Excessive sweating is one of the symptoms for many physical disorders like Heart Attacks, Diabetes, Parkinson’s disease or even Cancer. Sometimes excessive sweating accompanies a serious infection, such as tuberculosis. If you feel that your perspiration is excessive and isn’t related to activity, climate or emotional upheaval. A visit to the doctor is most important if your excessive sweating is not connected to any other factors mentioned above as this could be life threatening.
Diet
Eating a diet rich in fats and spicy foods can also cause excessive sweating especially in the head and face. Alcohol consumption and smoking are also cause for excessive sweating and body odor.
Hormonal Changes
Hormonal changes are often at the root of abnormal perspiration. For example, women experience excessive sweating during menopause and often have hot flashes, which are marked by flushed skin and excess perspiration. Pregnancy is also accompanied by hormonal fluctuations and may also lead to extra sweat.
Besides the hormonal changes common during pregnancy, the extra weight gain and increased blood flow can contribute to perspiration as well.
If you are experiencing excess perspiration because of hormonal changes, you might try wearing cooler clothing, keeping a fan or air conditioner on and drinking plenty of cool water. Hormone therapy or antidepressants may also prove helpful during menopause.
Medications
Certain drugs cause sweating and are one of the side effects for certain antibiotics. To determine whether excess perspiration is a side effect of medication, see your doctor for diagnosis. Take along a list of the prescription and non-prescription medications you are taking. If it turns out that medication is causing the problem, your doctor may change your prescription or suggest alternatives to those you purchase over the counter.
Excess Weight (Obesity)
Overweight also contributes to excessive sweating as the body has to work harder to perform its normal functions. If this is at the root of your unwanted perspiration, beginning an exercise routine, coupled with a healthy diet, may help you to shed extra pounds. In the meantime, try wearing loose, cool clothing, keeping your home cool and using cornstarch powder to soak up extra sweat.
Excessive sweating can be not only uncomfortable, but also embarrassing. Fortunately, however, it doesn’t have to be a permanent condition. See your doctor to determine its cause, and then work to treat it.
Climate
Living in coastal areas can be bother some for most people as the hot humid climate causes them to sweat profusely and one tends to start sweating right after a shower!
Natural & Home Remedies for Excessive Sweating
Sweaty palms, clammy feet and excessive sweating under the armpits and groin region are signs of abnormal sweating. There are ways of fighting the emotional problems connected with excessive perspiration. There are a number of herbs and home remedies for excessive sweating which can be quite effective in reducing your sweat levels. Some of them are:
Tomato Juice
A glass of tomato juice taken daily for a week generally takes care of this problem.
Apple Cider Vinegar
An excellent way to control excessive perspiration, apple cider vinegar can be used externally as well as internally. Apply some of this under your armpits to help eliminate body odor, or if taken internally add two teaspoons of honey to two teaspoons of vinegar and have it daily for one week on an empty stomach. For sweaty feet, apply this vinegar evenly after washing and drying your feet.
Corn starch
Can be used as a substitute of deodorants, which often lead to allergies and discoloration of skin. Apply generously under arms and dust of excess powder.
Green Tea
People vouch for the effect of having a cup of green tea every day to get rid of excessive sweat and even call it a ‘miracle cure’ .
Tea Tree oil
Has astringent like properties, and is also an anti fungal agent and can be applied as a thin layer under armpits, hands and feet and the groin area.
Herbal Tea
Herbal tea has been proved to be one of the very good home remedies for excessive sweating. Sage herbal tea is particularly effective cure for hyperhidrosis. Brew sage in hot water and let it cool down. Have it everyday to get rid of excessive sweating. Sage contains vitamin B and magnesium which helps reduce the sweat gland activity and therefore reduce underarm sweating.
Potato
Cut slices of potato and rub them underarms to get rid of excessive sweating. This is the most easiest but considerably effective hyperhidrosis home treatment.
Burdock
A bitter tasting herb, it is preferable to take this in tincture form, one teaspoon three times a day. This diverts extra sweat to the lymph nodes, kidneys and bowels, thus reducing the excess sweat from pouring out through the body.
Wheat grass Juice
Wheat grass juice or the water extract from young wheat grass is very effective home remedy for excessive sweating. It helps in neutralizing acids and toxins in the blood and is also a very good source of protein, vitamin C, vitamin B-12, folic acid, and vitamin B-6. A glass of wheat grass a day can help reduce excessive sweating.
Witch hazel
This plant has natural astringent properties and acts as a natural antiperspirant for face. It gently dries skin and helps prevent infection. You can even make tea from its brewed leaves.
Tea Bags
Yes, teabags soaked in hot water acts as an effective antiperspirant as tea contains Tannic acid which has astringent properties. Soak hands and feet in warm water containing at least five teabags for half an hour and notice the difference!
Remedies for Underarm Sweating
After thoroughly cleaning (shaving and washing) underarms, apply cornstarch and baking soda under arms. Wait for about half an hour and then wash it off with water. You can also add essential oils into the mixture to act as a deodorizer.
Remedies for Foot Sweating
For foot sweating, pat your feet dry, especially between the toes after bath. Massage it with apple cider vinegar. Tea Tree Oil is also helpful for foot sweating. It can be applied directly to the sweaty areas.
Remedies for Palm Sweating
Reduce intake of foods rich in iodine. Avoid vegetables like broccoli, asparagus and white onion; avoid beef, liver and turkey meats. Boil a quart of water and soak five teabags in it. When it cools down, soak the palms for at least thirty minutes. Tannic acid in tea has astringent properties that act as a natural antiperspirant.
How to Stay Sweat free
As we have already seen that sweating can also increase due to obesity, unhealthy food habits and weather, certain lifestyle changes will also help to tackle this problem.
Anti Sweat Diet
Avoid taking fatty diet and instead take a diet rich in silicon as this helps to regulate the production of sweat. Strawberries, grapes and almonds are rich in silicon. Drink plenty of water to dilute the toxins which cause body odor. Avoid intake of garlic, onions, caffeine, alcohol and deep fried snacks and foods.
Foods rich in vitamin B are also helpful in reducing sweating. Eat more of natural foods like cereal, fish and milk to have generous intake of vitamins b in your body.
Clothing
Wear loose clothing made of natural fabrics like cotton and linen which helps to absorb sweat. When our sweat has no chance to dry faster on the skin, bacteria collect and cause body odor, especially in underarms, soles of the feet and groin areas.
A healthy lifestyle, meditation and yoga can certainly go a long in reducing your sweat levels. Stay fit by exercising regularly, eat healthy food and wear appropriate clothing and you will find yourself sweat free, ready to take on the world with a more confidant and positive attitude.
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