Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)

There can be many causes behind excessive sweating – seemingly unreasonable overactive nerves or serious illnesses. 

Sometimes more, sometimes less: why we sweat

Everyone has to or should sweat: when they do sports, are in the heat of summer, have a fever, or are simply too warmly dressed. The beads of sweat on the forehead and back, the rivulets in the armpits – are often vital because they help the body to compensate for temperature differences and to dissipate excessive heat from the inside to the outside.

Those who exert themselves physically consume more energy, which heats up the organism. When we eat, we burn the necessary energy suppliers such as carbohydrates and fats. Spicy dishes, overly lavish meals with a lot of alcohol also stimulate the metabolism and thus the production of heat.

Many people also have damp hands before an exam and give their first speech with a sweaty shirt, even when it is cool in the room. Violent feelings such as anger, but also tormenting sensations such as pain, are often sweaty. And last but not least, a growling dog or an unfamiliar noise on the way home at night can be a reason to break into a cold sweat of fear. In stressful, threatening situations, the body releases more stress hormones and the nerves that control sweat production become overactive.

Sweat drivers: from sympathetic nerves and hormones

Sweat glands are found almost everywhere in the skin, especially many of them accumulate on the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet and on the forehead. They secrete a salty liquid that evaporates on the surface of the skin and thus cools it down. The watery sweat also contains minerals like calcium and magnesium and the body’s own antibodies. Incidentally, this also means that people who sweat profusely have to make up for the loss of fluids and salts by drinking a lot, such as mineral water.
Another type of gland secretes a fatty secretion under the armpits and in the genital area in addition to water and salts. Incidentally, this is initially odorless and only begins to smell when it meets the bacteria on the surface of the skin, which break it down into unpleasant-smelling substances.

The autonomic nervous system regulates when and to what extent the sweat glands become active. With its sympathetic and parasympathetic part, it is responsible for the predominantly involuntary body functions such as digestion, circulation, breathing, metabolism, heat and energy balance and certain sexual functions. The fibers of the sympathetic nerve plexus are responsible for sweating. They give the glands the command to sweat via the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. The top control center for thermoregulation is located in a specific area of ​​the brain, in the hypothalamus. From there, the vegetative nerve activities and thus also the interaction of the hormones coordinated. A number of hormones are critically involved in metabolism, temperature balancing and sweat production.

So sweating is basically a healthy and vital body function. But here too there are individual differences. In some people, the salty liquid runs faster, while others take a long time to break out in a sweat. Likewise, the personal tendency to sweat often changes in certain phases of life. Stress, mental health, hormonal changes, body weight, diet, everyday habits – numerous factors influence how quickly and how heavily someone sweats.

When sweating becomes a burden

However, sweat production can increase beyond what is perceived as normal and be temporarily or permanently disturbed. Doctors refer to excessive sweating during the day as hyperhidrosis . Those affected usually only sweat during the day, but not at night.

The symptoms can appear as idiopathic or primary hyperhidrosis without an identifiable cause. Often the problems show up in childhood or adolescence. Then the palms of the hands, soles of the feet and/or armpits, forehead and head, in particular, are always damp to wet. You break out in a sweat, even though the person concerned is neither particularly excited nor physically exerted themselves. Frequent, profuse sweating has a significant impact on everyday life. Every handshake becomes torture and contact with others is difficult. Social withdrawal, depressive moods, fears, but also increased physical inactivity are among the consequences.

Anyone who is repeatedly dripping wet and usually sweats all over their body, as well as other complaints, may suffer from secondary hyperhidrosis . It occurs either during physical change and stress, such as during menopause, overweight, stress, or it is a symptom of a certain disease. Hormonal and metabolic diseases are often responsible, such as an overactive thyroid, infections, nerve disorders, cancer or mental illnesses such as anxiety disorders. In addition, increased sweating is one of the side effects of some drugs (see below: “Secondary hyperhidrosis: overview of the main causes”).

Sudden, acute sweats, usually with cold sweats all over the body, can sometimes indicate an emergency such as a heart attack. Often there are accompanying complaints such as tremors, feelings of fear, headache and chest pain, shortness of breath, and dizziness. Such symptoms can also be an expression of a panic attack in the context of an anxiety disorder or belong to the withdrawal symptoms in the case of alcohol abuse or drug problems.

Measuring blood pressure
Measuring blood pressure at the doctor’s: tracking down the causes

Excessive sweating: when to see a doctor?

Go to the doctor, if

  • You suffer from constant intense perspiration that cannot be controlled with the usual hygiene measures and that burdens your private and professional life,
  • You get wet palms and/or soles of your feet with the slightest excitement or exertion or if it drips from your armpits, forehead and scalp,
  • You frequently sweat on your head and/or all over your body, even if it is not particularly hot outside or in the room,
  • You are still prone to sweating, even after infection with a fever,
  • apart from frequent sweating, other complaints such as pain in the limbs, muscles, back or headaches, severe thirst, paleness, gastrointestinal problems, nervousness, fears, depressive moods show up
  • You get unexpected sweat attacks with tremors, dizziness, palpitations as soon as you are exposed to a certain situation, such as riding in an elevator or discovering a spider.

! Warning signs: If a cold sweat suddenly breaks out and there is a pain in the chest area, which can radiate into the throat and arm, possibly accompanied by nausea, weakness, dizziness, shortness of breath, then a heart attack is suspected. A rupturing aneurysm of the main artery sometimes also causes similar acute symptoms. Whenever such symptoms occur, you should immediately call the emergency services.

The first point of contact will usually be the GP. An in-depth conversation with you as a patient and initial physical examinations often give him clues as to a possible cause. If necessary, the general practitioner will call in a specialist. This can be a dermatologist (dermatologist) or an internist, possibly with a focus on hormone and metabolic disorders (endocrinologist) or diabetes (diabetologist). A specialist in nerve disorders (neurologist) or a psychiatrist or psychotherapist may also be asked for.

special antiperspirants
Against constantly damp armpits: special antiperspirants

Profuse sweating for an unknown cause (primary hyperhidrosis)

For reasons that have not yet been clarified, the sweat glands produce sweat more frequently in this disorder than would be necessary and appropriate in the context of natural body processes. Doctors assume that the sympathetic nervous system and the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, via which the sweat glands are directly stimulated, are overactive here. A family disposition obviously plays a fundamental role.

Often, even minor stimuli, such as slightly warmer temperatures, positive or negative emotions, a meeting with other people, are enough to drive up the perspiration. Such triggers can also be completely absent.

Symptoms Those affected sweat several times a week or day, mostly in certain places, for example only under the armpits. Sweat can also break out on both palms of the hands, on the soles of the feet and/or on the forehead and head. Sweat attacks all over the body are less common. If the disorder is very pronounced, not only do beads of sweat form, but sweat literally flows, hands and feet are sometimes wet all around. Those affected have no complaints at night.

The sweaty areas of the skin are also more prone to fungal infections and ulcers. Since sweating often puts a lot of strain on everyday life, there are also psychological problems such as depressive moods and fears. It is not uncommon for people with primary hyperhidrosis to start avoiding uncomfortable situations and withdraw more and more from others.

Diagnosis : The doctor will ask his patient in detail about ailments, living conditions and medical history. Together with a specific physical examination, he usually receives essential information from this. Certain tests also allow him to determine severely affected areas and the amount of sweat. In the iodine starch test, he applies an iodine solution and starch powder. The sweating area changes color. With filter paper and precision scales, the doctor can also measure the amount of sweat excreted during an acute outbreak of sweat (gravimetry).

Therapy : The treatment depends on the severity of the disorder and how much it stresses everyday life. Special sweat-stopping agents, antiperspirants (also called antiperspirants), which contain aluminum chloride, often help, but are no long-term solution. They are applied to the heavily sweating areas as a roll-on deodorant, gel, powder or lotions.

In so-called iontophoresis, a weak direct current flows into the body in a water bath via the hands or feet. This method can be particularly effective against sweaty hands and feet.

In addition, sage extracts, applied externally or taken as tablets, can relieve sweating.

If the symptoms persist, specialists can also inject the neurotoxin botulinum toxin A under the affected areas of the skin. It prevents the release of the responsible neurotransmitter acetylcholine and thus paralyzes the sweat glands. This treatment has proven effective many times, but it must be repeated at regular intervals.

There are a number of surgical procedures that are only considered in particularly severe cases that do not respond to conventional therapies, as they can sometimes have significant consequences. Sometimes the surgeons just cut or suck out the sweat glands from under the skin (subcutaneous curettage or suction curettage). With sympathicolysis or thoracic sympthectomy, the surgeon specifically blocks the sympathetic nerve in its course. This means that the nerve can no longer transmit the sweat impulse from the brain.

Relaxation methods such as autogenic training help reduce stress and balance out inner restlessness. With psychotherapeutic help, those affected can learn to deal better with their problem and prevent secondary diseases such as depression or anxiety disorders.

If you have hyperhidrosis, lifestyle adjustments are also important. This usually means maintaining an ideal weight or losing weight if necessary. Avoid spicy dishes as well as alcohol and excessive coffee consumption. Drink enough to make up for any loss of fluid from sweating. Discuss the amount you drink with your practitioner, especially if you have heart or kidney disease. A balanced diet keeps the metabolism and energy in balance. Those who exercise regularly not only feel more comfortable overall, but also support the vegetative nervous system and an adaptation of the perspiration.

In addition, air-permeable clothing made from natural materials reduces the urge to sweat and prevents skin irritation. Lingerie and stockings made from materials that wick away moisture are helpful. Always dry the sweaty areas gently but well after showering and washing. Change your underwear and stockings daily, several times a day if necessary. Sometimes short-term, targeted measures such as armpit pads inserted into clothing can give some relief in stressful situations.

Identifiable causes of profuse sweating (secondary hyperhidrosis)

Here you will find an overview of the most important causes which, along with other symptoms, can also lead to excessive perspiration. Often those affected sweat on the head and all over the body.

Stress makes you sweat
Stress makes you sweat

– Unhealthy lifestyle and life changes

Influences and developments that put a strain on the autonomic nervous system and disrupt the metabolism and hormonal balance make people sweat faster and more frequently.

  • Overweight and obesityA strong weight gain leads to sweating even with little exertion, after eating, at warmer temperatures. Overweight people are often short of breath, tire more quickly and suffer more from joint pain, depressive moods, and erectile dysfunction. 
  • Alcohol consumption, alcohol abusesweating is one of the typical complaints that occur when the body breaks down the alcohol a few hours after someone has drunk. Other withdrawal symptoms are tremors, nausea, headache, restlessness, irritability, dizziness. 
  • Stress, emotional stress, burnout: sweating with excitement is a normal body reaction. Anyone who is constantly under electricity or suffers from psychological stress often breaks out suddenly in a sweat, often at night too. Depressive moods, insomnia, tiredness, anxiety, nervousness, cardiovascular problems and dizziness are also common symptoms. 
  • Pregnancy: The hormonal changes during pregnancy affect different body functions and can temporarily lead to imbalances and complaints. Many pregnant women sweat more and suffer from nausea, especially in the first few months, later from heartburn, shortness of breath, constipation and swollen legs. 
  • Menopause: Some women hardly notice the changes in the hormonal balance, others complain of hot flashes with violent sweats that can set in during the day for no reason or interrupt their sleep at night. Depressive moods, nervousness, tiredness, swollen legs can be further signs. 

– infections with fever

There are numerous different pathogens that can trigger infectious diseases, such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites and worms. Most infections, such as the viral flu or bacterial diseases such as streptococcal infections with rheumatic fever, or salmonellosis and many others are accompanied by a fever. This is the result of the activities of the immune system and its messenger substances. They drive the body temperature up. Shivering or chills heralds the rise in temperature (with the exception of typhus ). If the fever falls again, the sick sweat. Fever attacks, as they can be typical for malaria, for example, often bring stressful alternations of chills and sweats.

– hormonal and metabolic diseases

Hormones that play an important role in metabolic processes and heat regulation are the thyroid hormones and insulin from the pancreas. The hormones of the pituitary gland, which in turn is connected to the hypothalamus control, among other things, circulatory and metabolic functions. Disturbances in all of these areas affect thermoregulation. Problems then appear in frequent sweating, which can be symptoms of a metabolic imbalance and a critical hormonal imbalance.

  • Hyperthyroidism: People whose thyroid glands produce too many thyroid hormones usually cannot tolerate heat well, often have a high body temperature and therefore sweat frequently. Other characteristic symptoms are hand tremors, restlessness, increased nervousness, weight loss despite cravings, stomach pain and diarrhea, muscle weakness, hair loss.
  • Graves’ disease: This autoimmune disease causes an overactive thyroid gland with the associated symptoms and increased sweating. In addition, there are eye problems. Often protruding eyeballs are characteristic. 
  • Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: Due to autoimmune processes, the thyroid gland becomes chronically inflamed. In the first phase, this leads to an over-function of the organ, in the further course of the disease to an under function. In the beginning, those affected often suffer from sweating, tremors, restlessness, hair loss and other symptoms of an overactive thyroid. 
  • Diabetes mellitus: If the body’s cells lack the hormone insulin, they can no longer convert the carbohydrates from food, which have been broken down into sugar, into energy. The blood sugar level rises, the metabolism is sensitively disturbed and can ultimately derail completely. The more general initial symptoms of diabetes often include increased thirst, fatigue, and nocturnal calf crampsWith type 1 diabetes, the symptoms often show up earlier and more clearly, with type 2 diabetes they usually develop gradually. Warning: sweating combined with a feeling of weakness, muscle tremors, cravings, dizziness and visual disturbances can be warning symptoms of dangerous hypoglycaemia.
    The possible sequelae of diabetes include nerve damage in various areas (diabetic neuropathy). Increased sweating may indicate an incipient nerve disorder in the autonomic nervous system. Characteristically, the initially increased tendency to sweat in the affected areas decreases, and as the nerve disorder progresses, reduced sweating tends to become a problem. As part of a special neuropathy, diabetics sometimes sweat heavily in the face and neck while eating (gustatory sweating).
    Sweating can occur with low blood sugar levels even without diabetes. Sometimes an unbalanced diet and alcohol play a role, sometimes also special diseases
  • Hypogonadism in old age: Men over 40 can have an underactive sex gland and thus a deficiency in the sex hormone testosterone. One possible cause is a disorder of the pituitary gland. The associated complaints are often more general, such as decreased performance, hot flashes, sweating, sleep disorders, erectile dysfunction. Muscle mass and bone density can decrease. This is the cause of osteoporosis in men. Usually, hormones help those affected.
If the blood pressure suddenly drops: cold sweat, dizziness, headache
If the blood pressure suddenly drops: cold sweat, dizziness, headache

– Impaired circulatory regulation, heart disease, pulmonary embolism, liver cirrhosis

The following disorders or illnesses focus on sweating, often with a cold sweat. In addition to other characteristic symptoms, they indicate a more or less pronounced crisis situation of an organ.

  • Orthostatic hypotension, fainting: With this type of low blood pressure, the blood pressure drops suddenly, in the morning when you stand up, when you stand for a long time or when you stoop. Those affected often have heart or lung problems, diabetes, or they suffer from nervous or hormonal disorders. Medicines are also possible causes. Triggered by sudden stressful or fearful situations, certain otherwise healthy people suddenly develop certain reflexes that dampen the circulation and can lead to fainting (vasovagal syncope). The rapid drop in blood pressure is often associated with cold sweats, dizziness, blackness in the eyes, palpitations, headaches or brief blackouts. 
  • Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart (endocarditis): Infections caused by bacteria, less often fungi, can spread to the inner lining of the heart. Acute inflammation is usually expressed in the form of fever, rapid heartbeat, chills, excessive sweating, a feeling of weakness, loss of appetite and joint pain. In the case of creeping inflammation, in addition to the general symptoms of inflammation, night sweating is often characteristic. Sometimes there is also bleeding under the nails, nail changes, painful nodules on fingers and toes. 
  • Coronary heart disease with angina pectoris: The symptoms caused by pathologically narrowed or blocked coronary arteries include pain and tightness in the chest, also known as angina pectoris. Angina pectoris begins, depending on the severity, only after prolonged exertion, later after little exertion or finally at rest. With the chest pain that may radiate into the left upper arm, the upper abdomen and neck, often also appear shortness of breath, heart rhythm disturbances, sweating and anxiety. Since these symptoms cannot be distinguished from those of a heart attack, the emergency services must be called immediately.
  • Pulmonary embolism: When a blood clot (thrombus), usually in a leg or pelvic vein, loosens, doctors speak of an embolus. Under certain circumstances, this enters a pulmonary artery with the bloodstream and closes it. Pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening. Sometimes only slight breathlessness and chest pain indicate a smaller occlusion. Acute warning symptoms for the occlusion of a large vessel are rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, coughing, feelings of tightness and anxiety, violent sweats, sudden loss of consciousness or shock. 
  • Liver cirrhosis: Alcohol abuse and chronic liver inflammation (hepatitis) can lead to the destruction of liver cells, among other causes. The metabolic organ, which is so essential, is then less and less able to fulfill its function. Signs of this often appear late. First of all, there are more general complaints such as tiredness, decreased performance, weight loss, frequent sweating, feeling of pressure in the upper abdomen, depressive moods. Later skin and nail changes, jaundice, itching, enlarged veins (blood vessels), especially in the face, erectile dysfunction. 
Unusual sweating: Sometimes this is caused by problems in the neck and back area
Unusual sweating: Sometimes this is caused by problems in the neck and back area

– disorders and diseases of the nervous system

Neurological diseases are mainly associated with sweating when nerves of the autonomic nervous system are directly or indirectly affected. These control vital functions that are largely independent of the will, such as hormonal balance, circulation, heat balance and digestion.

  • Damage to the sympathetic nerve: Since the sympathetic nerve, coming from the brain, runs along the spine in order to send its branches from there to the various sweat glands, it can be impaired or damaged in a variety of ways. This can happen as a result of operations, injuries, tumors or damage to the spine. As a result, those affected sometimes suffer from neck or back pain. Depending on which branch of the nerve is affected, there is also excessive perspiration on the hands, feet, head and upper body.
    In this way, the body often compensates for the loss of perspiration in one area in another. Such compensatory sweating occurs, for example, on the head or upper body after a surgeon has removed sweat glands from the hands or under the armpits or prevented nerve stimuli (see above under “Primary hyperhidrosis”). Sometimes those affected sweat more while eating (gustatory sweating).
  • Parkinson’s disease: The disease commonly known as paralysis is one of the most common diseases of the central nervous system in the brain. The death of certain nerve cells leads to imbalances between several neurotransmitters. This also affects the autonomic nervous system. Among other things, acetylcholine, which stimulates the sweat glands, is rampant. In addition to characteristic movement and posture disorders with trembling of the hands at rest, Parkinson’s sufferers suffer from vegetative symptoms such as increased sweating, even at night, excessive sebum production in the face (ointment face), constipation, increased salivation, problems urinating, and sexual decline in the course of their illness.

– pain disorders

Sensations of pain often activate the sympathetic nerve and thus also cause vegetative symptoms such as nausea and sweating. This is especially the case with colic pain. Certain diseases associated with joint and muscle pain also lead to increased sweating. These can be autoimmune diseases in which the activities of the immune system are directed against the body itself and trigger inflammatory reactions, or psychosomatic diseases and pain conditions of unknown cause (for back pain see above under “Damage to the sympathetic nerve”). Here are some examples:

Fibromyalgia: pain in limbs and muscles
Fibromyalgia: pain in limbs and muscles
  • Fibromyalgia: Various factors play together in the development of this clinical picture. The exact cause has not yet been clarified. The focus is on pain in different areas, especially muscles and joints. In the morning the hands and feet temporarily swell, sometimes the face and the limbs are stiff. In addition, there are insomnia, fatigue and gastrointestinal problems. Psychological symptoms such as increased anxiety and depression are also possible. Many of those affected often have cold hands and feet, sweat or freeze easily. They suffer from heart and breathing problems, bladder problems, tinnitus and much more. 
  • Complex regional pain syndrome (also Sudeck’s disease, Sudeck’s dystrophy): For reasons that have not yet been clarified, mostly after injuries, inflammations or operations, violent knife-prick-like, tingling or burning pain and swelling in an affected limb, very often in the hand, but also on the arm, shoulder or leg. The skin of the respective limb often turns bluish in color, becomes smooth, cool and sweaty. The vegetative nervous system with the sympathetic nerve is apparently involved in the development of these symptoms (see also above under “Disorders of the nervous system”.
Sweaty: tight spaces that make you afraid
Sweaty: tight spaces that make you afraid

– Mental illness

Above all, fears are associated with the proverbial sweat of fear. Terror, fear and panic activate stress hormones and thus also the sympathetic nerve, which triggers a series of characteristic physical reactions. These include sweating, especially during a panic attack. But people who suffer from depression or other mental disorders, such as hypochondria, are also familiar with panic symptoms or have vegetative complaints (see below).

  • Anxiety Disorders: There are different forms of pathological anxiety. They can all be accompanied in one form or another by physical complaints for which the autonomic nervous system is responsible. The symptoms are particularly pronounced during a panic attack. Panic attacks occur in the context of phobias, panic disorders, heart anxiety, and other anxiety disorders. Palpitations, sweats, tremors, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath are characteristic symptoms.
  • Depression: Anxiety and depression are closely related. Therefore, panic symptoms can also occur in depressive illnesses. Sometimes depression is also hidden behind physical symptoms, which can include headaches, gastrointestinal problems, dizziness, a tendency to sweat, breathing disorders, heart pain, among other things. 

– tumors, cancers

Some tumor diseases affect one or more nerve and hormonal functions in different stages and in different ways. They can also cause vegetative complaints such as sweating. Increased perspiration occurs as a characteristic symptom, especially in cancers that affect the nervous and endocrine system, so-called neuroendocrine tumors. They are often benign, but sometimes they can turn into a malignant form. Some of them produce hormones and neurotransmitters themselves. In the course of this, there are sometimes considerable metabolic derailments and critical situations.

  • Pheochromocytoma: The neuroendocrine, predominantly benign tumor can develop in the medullary zone of the adrenal glands, in nerve nodes of the sympathetic nervous system or, as part of hereditary diseases, in other hormonal glands. It secretes the stress hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline and leads to high blood pressure with high blood pressure crises. Characteristics of high pressure crises are sweats, palpitations, headaches. Pallor and weight loss can be other symptoms .
  • Carcinoid (tumor of the neuroendocrine system): Isolated in the appendix, in other places in the gastrointestinal tract or in the bronchi, this often benign tumor occurs. It can penetrate other parts of the body, such as the liver, and produce tissue hormones. Then it comes to carcinoid syndrome with hot flashes, sweats, reddened skin, rapid heartbeat, diarrhea and abdominal pain.
  • Insulinoma: The predominantly benign tumor in the pancreas mainly produces the hormone insulin. Due to the overproduction of insulin (hyperinsulinism), those affected often gain weight unintentionally. Hypoglycemia can also occur, especially if the sick person has not eaten for a while. The main symptoms are increased sweating, tremors, racing heart, nausea, cravings, feeling weak, and fears. In addition, there are visual disturbances, dizziness, headaches, confusion, cramps. Hypoglycaemia can be life threatening. The patient must be given glucose immediately and taken to the doctor.
  • Acromegaly: The rare, predominantly benign tumor disease of the pituitary gland leads to an overproduction of growth hormone. Middle-aged people are more likely to be affected by this. The main symptoms are changed, coarsened facial features, the skin becomes thicker and more wrinkled, hands, feet and the head circumference become larger (typical sign: the hat no longer fits), as do the nose, the jawbones and the tongue. Characteristic early symptoms are also headaches, menstrual and erectile dysfunction, vision problems, and excessive sweating. People often develop high blood pressure and diabetes. Diagnosis and treatment are in the hands of specialists (endocrinologists) and specialized surgeons.
Side effect of some drugs: increased sweating
Side effect of some drugs: increased sweating

– Medication

Medicines that lead to increased sweating or sweating as an undesirable side effect include, above all, active ingredients that affect the autonomic nervous system, the nerve functions in the brain, hormone production or the circulatory system. These include, for example:

  • Hormone preparations: cortisone preparations, thyroid drugs, also active ingredients that are given as part of cancer therapy and intervene in the hormonal system, for example in breast cancer.
  • Parasympathomimetics: Doctors use these active ingredients for eye diseases such as glaucoma, muscle weakness, intestinal problems, dry mouth and dementia.
  • Drugs that act on the central nervous system in the brain: antidepressants (tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), strong pain relievers (opioids), some Parkinson’s drugs (including certain dopamine agonists, COMT inhibitors, levodopa with carbidopa), some neuroleptics (drugs against Psychoses and states of excitement)
  • Medicines that stimulate blood circulation: certain calcium channel blockers (medicines for high blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmias, coronary artery disease), medicines for erectile dysfunction such as prostaglandins or yohimbine

If you have the impression that you have increased unusual sweating while taking any medication, contact your doctor. Do not discontinue any medication that the doctor has prescribed for you and do not change the dose without discussing this with the doctor.

Diagnosis and therapy of sweating with a known cause (secondary hyperhidrosis)

The medical history, known previous illnesses and typical symptoms that accompany the increased sweating give the doctor initial indications. Depending on the suspicion, he will carry out appropriate examinations and, if necessary, refer the patient to a specialist (see “When to see a doctor?” Above). In-depth physical examinations, blood tests, checks of organ functions, such as recording the heart’s current curve (electrocardiography, EKG), possibly ultrasound examinations and other imaging procedures, can be groundbreaking.

The therapy depends on the underlying disease. Targeted treatment usually improves the disturbed sweat regulation.

If lifestyle habits contribute to frequent sweating, this means that you have to start consistently here. You have to normalize your body weight, eat a balanced diet, be physically active on a regular basis, pay attention to personal hygiene, wear air-permeable clothing made of natural materials or special moisture-wicking fabrics.

Relaxation exercises stress reduction and, if necessary, psychological counselling help to have a balancing effect on the soul as well as on important body and hormone functions and thus on the regulation of sweat (see also above under “Sweating from an unknown cause (primary hyperhidrosis)”).

Sometimes Kneipp applications can be useful. A healthy lifestyle also supports the treatment of pathological causes of excessive sweating. And part of a healthy lifestyle are regular colonics to keep your digestive system functioning optimally. Also in light of the close connection of the colon with the nervous system, it makes sense to keep the colon regular to help with nervous system issues.