Sweating
Definition
Sweating is the release of a salty liquid from the body's sweat glands. This process is also called perspiration.
Sweating is an essential function that helps your body stay cool. Sweat is commonly found under the arms, on the feet, and on the palms of the hands.
Alternative Names
Perspiration
Considerations
How much you sweat depends on how many sweat glands you have. A person is born with about two to four million sweat glands. The glands start to become fully active during puberty. Women have more sweat glands then men, but men's glands are more active.
Because sweating is the body's natural way of regulating temperature, people sweat more when it's hot outside. People also sweat more when they exercise, or in response to situations that make them nervous, angry, embarrassed, or afraid.
Excessive sweating may also be a symptom of menopause.
See also:
Causes
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Cancer
- Certain medicines, including thyroid hormone, morphine, drugs to reduce fevers, and medicines to treat mental disorders
- Emotional or stressful situations (anxiety)
- Exercise
- Fever
- Infection
- Low blood sugar
- Menopause
- Overactive thyroid gland
- Spicy foods (known as "gustatory sweating")
- Warm temperatures
- Withdrawal from alcohol or narcotic pain killers
Home Care
After sweating, you should:
- Wash your face and body
- Change clothes and bed sheets
- Drink plenty of water to replace lost body fluids
- Slightly lower room temperature to prevent more sweating
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Contact your health care provider if sweating is accompanied by:
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Rapid, pounding heartbeat
These symptoms may indicate a problem, such as hyperthyroidism or infection.
Also call your health care provider if:
- You sweat a lot or sweating lasts for a long time or can't be explained.
- Sweating occurs with or is followed by chest pain or pressure.
- Sweating is accompanied by weight loss or most often occurs during sleep.
References
Saper CB. Autonomic disorders and their management. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 445.
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this website, and its associated websites, is provided as a benefit to the local community, and the Internet community in general; it does not constitute medical advice. We try to provide quality information, but we make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to this website and its associated sites. As medical advice must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each patient and healthcare is constantly changing, nothing provided herein should be used as a substitute for the advice of a competent physician. Furthermore, in providing this service, Adventist HealthCare does not condone or support all of the content covered in this site. As an Adventist health care organization, Adventist HealthCare acts in accordance with the ethical and religious directives for Adventist health care services.
Adventist HealthCare · 301-315-3030 · 1801 Research BLVD, Suite 400, Rockville, MD 20850
Get Care
Health & Wellness
Patient Information
Website Information
Ways of Giving
