Hyperhidrosis: Are You Always Sweaty?
by Neel Duggal
The thermometer is pushing 90, and the humidity feels more like the Amazon. When you get home from a run around the block, it makes sense that sweat pours off of you. But what if you're relaxing in your nice, cool, air-conditioned living room sweating buckets? If you sweat a lot, even in the most chill of settings, you may have a condition called hyperhidrosis; however, you may just be sweating a little too much. Read on to learn more about the condition and how a few alterations to your daily routine could cut down on your sweating.
What Is It?
The National Health Service estimates that one to three people out of a 100 are living with excessive sweating. While the sympathetic nervous system or related medical conditions are generally the cause, you may have a higher risk if your parents or other family members sweat excessively, too. You'll usually start to see hyperhidrosis symptoms show up in adolescence and continue into adulthood, though, heads up, it can develop at any time.
The National Institutes of Health explains that the condition may be a symptom of various diseases, a side effect of medications and may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as weight loss, pounding heartbeat and lack of appetite. If you suspect your excessive sweating is more than excessive, you should reach out to your doctor.
Do You Actually Have Hyperhidrosis?
Because a small percentage of the population is diagnosed, you may not have it, especially if you have a clean bill of health otherwise. Instead, you may just be sweating excessively due to factors in your daily life, some of which you may be able to control. Everyday scenarios may leave your underarms, face and hands particularly damp. These factors include heat, intense exercise, nerves and stress, and your diet (Did you know caffeine can make you sweat?).
How Can You Be Less Sweaty?
Luckily, if you do think that your excessive sweating is due to your lifestyle, there's plenty you can do. All it takes it a few, small alterations to your daily routine:
- Switch from a deodorant to an antiperspirant if wetness is the main problem and not body odor.
- Spring for an AC, invest in some light, breezy clothes or lie low during the heat of the day.
- Confront what's making you nervous.
- Meditate or do yoga in the morning to manage stress and start the day off on the right foot.
With these facts in hand, you'll be well on your way to managing your excessive sweating. If you're still baffled, check in with your doctor, who may have more options to help keep you dry.
This article was brought to you by Colgate-Palmolive Company, the makers of Speed Stick products. The views and opinions expressed by the author do not reflect the position of the Colgate-Palmolive Company.
