Sweating or perspiring is a normal process the body goes through to help regulate body temperature. However, if sweating becomes excessive you may have a medical condition called hyperhidrosis. This condition can cause both physical symptoms and emotional distress. The first step in treatment is to determine which of the many causes of excess perspiration is creating your symptoms. Then you and your physician can work together to find the right treatment approach.
Overactive Nervous System
The Hyperhidrosis website claims that there are two kinds of excessive sweating. One is called primary hyperhidrosis, which often has no known cause. The other is secondary hyperhidrosis and is a symptom of another medical condition. In the case of primary hyperhidrosis, for reasons not well understood, your nervous system is overstimulated and causes the body to sweat at a level beyond what is needed to cool you down. The primary form usually affects just one area of the body, such as the hands, face, underarm or feet, and tends to affect both sides of the body equally. It may happen with no known reason or be due to stress, anxiety, nervousness or feeling upset.
Medications
According to the International Hyperhidrosis Society, secondary hyperhidrosis is usually the result of a medication you are taking or an underlying medical condition. Unlike the primary kind, which occurs in a specific body area, the secondary form affects the entire body. The IHS website lists many medications that can cause excessive sweating. This includes both prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Some common medications that cause this side effect include Desipramine, Nortriptyline, Protriptyline, which are all antidepressants. You should also be cautious with popular over-the-counter zinc supplements, such as those you might take to help ease cold symptoms.
Medical Conditions
Certain diseases can also cause you to sweat more then normal. These include diabetes, gout, heart conditions, menopause, rheumatoid arthritis and Parkinson's disease. These conditions can all affect the nervous system and lead to hyperhidrosis. Infections, lymphoma and thyroid conditions can also cause excessive sweating. Being pregnant or obese are both common causes. Successfully treating the underlying condition may help to relieve this symptom.
