Some people sweat more than others. The more sweat glands that are in your skin, the more you will perspire. Exercise, hot weather or anxiety-provoking situations can cause your sweat glands to start producing sweat. Sweating is generally a good thing, as it is nature's way of helping to regulate your temperature by cooling your body.
Sweat Glands
People are born with roughly 2 to 4 million sweat glands people, which begin showing their full potential during puberty, explains the University of Maryland Medical Center. Men have fewer sweat glands than women do, but men's are more active. Sweat, or perspiration, is a salty liquid that consists mostly of water, with very small amounts of ammonia, urea, sugar and salts. It is produced abundantly in the armpits, on the feet and on the palms of the hands.
Function
When your body gets hotter than the average body temperature of 98.6 F, it signals your hypothalamus -- the area of the brain that controls temperature -- to start the sweat process. A process called evaporative heat loss allows sweat to regulate body temperature, according to Cleveland Clinic. Sweat leaves the body through minuscule holes in the skin called pores. Your body begins to cool when the sweat evaporates from your skin.
Too Much or Too Little
It is not unusual to sweat more than you normally do when the temperature soars or when you have a fever. Hot flashes and night sweats that occur during menopause can also cause a spike in perspiration. Frequent excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, can occur due to low blood sugar, a nervous system or thyroid disorder, or other health issue. Burns, dehydration and certain nerve and skin disorders can result in too little sweating, or anhidrosis. Anhidrosis is potentially dangerous, because it can cause your body to overheat.
Precautions
Sweat is an effective cooling system, but you must counter dehydration by replenishing your body's lost liquid. Dehydration results when more fluid leaves the body than you take in. Drinking 1 to 3 cups of water before exercising and sipping on water during and after physical activity can help prevent dehydration, according to MayoClinic.com.
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