David Baxter PhD
Late Founder
Excessive sweating
By Mayo Clinic Staff
Sept. 26, 2008
Excessive sweating is the secretion of sweat in amounts greater than needed to cool the body. Excessive sweating usually affects your palms, soles and underarms. Besides disrupting normal daily activities, excessive sweating can cause social anxiety or embarrassment.
Excessive daytime sweating of the palms, soles and underarms for no apparent reason is called focal hyperhidrosis. This type of excessive sweating typically stops when sleeping and isn't associated with an underlying condition.
Excessive sweating that affects large areas of the body and that occurs while awake and asleep is likely a side effect of a drug or a sign of a disease or condition, such as menopause hot flashes, anxiety or overactive thyroid.
Causes
Strenuous physical activity and warm temperatures are commonly associated with excessive sweating. Medical causes of excessive sweating may include:
By Mayo Clinic Staff
Sept. 26, 2008
Excessive sweating is the secretion of sweat in amounts greater than needed to cool the body. Excessive sweating usually affects your palms, soles and underarms. Besides disrupting normal daily activities, excessive sweating can cause social anxiety or embarrassment.
Excessive daytime sweating of the palms, soles and underarms for no apparent reason is called focal hyperhidrosis. This type of excessive sweating typically stops when sleeping and isn't associated with an underlying condition.
Excessive sweating that affects large areas of the body and that occurs while awake and asleep is likely a side effect of a drug or a sign of a disease or condition, such as menopause hot flashes, anxiety or overactive thyroid.
Causes
Strenuous physical activity and warm temperatures are commonly associated with excessive sweating. Medical causes of excessive sweating may include:
- Endocarditis
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Heart attack
- Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
- Leukemia
- Medications, such as some beta blockers and tricyclic antidepressants
- Menopause
- Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
- Stress
- Tuberculosis
- Call 911 or get emergency medical help
Get emergency help for a cold sweat, especially if you also have symptoms of lightheadedness or chest and stomach pains.
- Schedule a doctor's visit
Contact your medical provider if you experience any of the following:
- You suddenly begin to sweat more than usual.
- Sweating disrupts your daily routine.
- You experience night sweats for no apparent reason.
