How much sweating is normal?

We sweat in the summer and in the sauna when we exercise or eat hot peppers. Even before an exam, many people get sweaty palms. But what do you do if you sweat excessively, suddenly break out in a sweat or wake up dripping wet?

Why do we sweat at all?

Sweating helps regulate our body temperature and protects our body from dangerously overheating . Excessive body heat is dissipated by our sweat glands secreting a saline fluid.

On average, we have around 3 million sweat glands in our bodies. Most sweat glands are located under the armpits, on the face, on the palms of the hands, and on the soles of the feet.

Sweating is mainly due to

• an increased body temperature (when it is hot or when exercising),
• Excitement (exam anxiety, stage fright, anger) and
• spicy food

triggered. The autonomic nervous system regulates when the sweat glands become active and how much sweat they release.

Why does sweat smell develop?

Sweat is basically odorless. However, when it encounters bacteria on the skin’s surface, they break it down into unpleasant-smelling substances – which can cause the smell of sweat .

The amount of fluid we lose when we sweat varies greatly from person to person. Therefore, the boundary between normal and pathological sweating is fluid.

disturbances in sweat production

Pathological sweating can vary greatly in severity. If sweat production is disturbed, medicine speaks of:

• Anhidrosis: Those affected do not sweat at all.
• Hypohidrosis: Those affected sweat less than normal.
• Hyperhidrosis: Those affected sweat more than necessary.

Not everyone who sweats profusely is affected by hyperhidrosis. Doctors only speak of hyperhidrosis when the amount of sweat exceeds what would be necessary for thermoregulation.

Heavy sweating: 7 possible causes

Medicine distinguishes between primary and secondary hyperhidrosis. In the more common primary hyperhidrosis , increased sweating is triggered by excitement and tension. There is usually no underlying disease.

In the more rare secondary hyperhidrosis , heavy sweating occurs as a symptom of an illness, changed phases of life or a certain lifestyle. Possible causes are:

1. Overweight: People who are overweight may have a greater tendency to sweat, even with less exertion.
2. Pregnancy: Pregnancy changes the hormonal balance. This can also cause you to sweat more.
3. Stress: Sweating before an exam because you’re nervous is completely normal. However, permanent stress or burnout can lead to sudden and nightly sweats.
4. Alcohol: The body sweats when it breaks down alcohol. This usually happens a few hours after drinking.
5. Menopause: Some women get hot flashes during menopause , which can be accompanied by heavy sweating. Others hardly feel the hormonal change.
6. Infectious diseases: Influenza and other viral infections, but also bacterial infections such as salmonellosis are often accompanied by fever . When body temperature drops again, sufferers sweat.
7. Hyperthyroidism: Thyroid problems can cause the thyroid to produce too many hormones. Affected people often have an increased body temperature and sweat more.

When should I get medical help?

Sweating is a natural function of the body. However, profuse sweating can be very annoying or a symptom of a medical condition that deserves further investigation. In these cases, you should speak to a doctor as soon as possible:

• sudden sweats with no apparent cause
• Sudden onset of night sweats with no apparent cause
• high fever over 40° C
• fever lasting more than 3 days

Call an ambulance or ambulance if:

• Sweating, restlessness and palpitations occur in connection with diabetes (risk of hypoglycaemia)
• Sweating with dizziness and loss of consciousness may occur
• cold sweats with sallow skin , tremors, restlessness and light-headedness

What can I do myself against heavy sweating?

Here you will find tips and home remedies for heavy sweating in summer . They can provide some cooling on hot days. However, if you can’t control the sweating with the usual methods, seek medical advice. Even if the sweating has no recognizable cause, your doctor can recommend different treatment options .

What can I do if I don’t sweat enough?

If you notice that you hardly or not at all sweat even when you exert yourself or in high temperatures, you should definitely have a doctor examine you . In the case of so-called anhidrosis (lack of sweat production) or hypohidrosis (reduced sweat production) , certain areas of the skin, but also the entire body, can be affected.

Reduced sweat production can occur, among other things, as a symptom of skin or metabolic diseases. Even if you are dehydrated, your body cannot produce enough sweat. It is therefore particularly important to drink a lot during sport and when it is hot .