7 Reasons You Sweat More Than Normal

Some sweating is normal and actually good for you. It helps regulate your body temperature and a lack of sweat can actually cause problems. According to the National Institutes of Health normal amount of sweating can be up to a quart a day. Those suffering from excessive sweating, however, can sweat much more than this leading to serious social and emotional ramifications. There are several reasons why you could be sweating more than normal, and it will benefit you to identify the causes.

1. Emotions

You may be excessively sweating due to your emotional stress levels. Heightened anger, fear, anxiety, or embarrassment can cause your body to respond by essentially trying to cool you down.

2. Foods

Another surprising reason you may be excessively sweating is the foods you are consuming. Gustatory sweating is a technical term explaining that sweating is normal after eating certain foods. Spicy, hot, alcoholic, or caffeinated foods and beverages can cause sweating on the forehead, neck, scalp, or face. In some cases even thinking about food can trigger sweating.

3. Medical conditions

There are numerous medical conditions that can cause sweating all over and usually this effect is being caused by the condition. Some examples include menopause, diabetes, heart failure, pregnancy, thyroid problems, and certain cancers. Hormonal issues caused by such medical conditions are the cause of the sweat. Thyroid conditions are a big culprit when it comes to inefficiently producing either too much or too little of the thyroid hormones.

4. The Limbic System

The limbic system is a set of structures within our brains which is responsible for our emotions and memories. As the center of our emotions, the amygdale can become hyperactive causing not only sweating but the flight or fight response as well. The hypothalamus in particular has ultimate control over regulating sweating.

5. Medications

Additionally, several medications have the confirmed side effect of excessive sweating. Medicines as common as hydrocodone, acetaminophen, and insulin are common culprits of this unwanted side effect.

6. Smoking

Smoking cigarettes may be making your sweating worse. The nicotine in traditional cigarettes stimulates your sweat glands. Too much smoking means too much sweating.

7. Genes

Finally, your genes may make you more predisposed to excessive sweat. Unfortunately at this time there is not much that can be done about a genetic predisposition to excessively sweat.

Preventing excessive sweating begins with identifying the cause. Once you have determined why you are sweating it will be much easier to correct the issue. Some medications have been proven effective in stopping the sweat glands from activating and some antiperspirants can help resolve the issue. If the issue seems to be a medication you are taking, foods you are consuming, or stressful social situations then it is important to seek advice from your medical doctor.

Sources:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003218.htm

http://positivemed.com/2013/08/24/hyperhidrosis-treatments-types/

http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/limbicsystem.html

http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/features/is-your-excessive-sweating-caused-by-a-medical-problem?page=3

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