Sweating is good! It prevents the body from getting overheated. However, sweating profusely may not be normal and could be an indication of an underlying medication condition. This type of sweating is called secondary hyperhidrosis. It can occur due to nerve damage, excess fluid buildup in certain parts of the body, or issues with regulating temperature and metabolism. Read on to know more about the various underlying conditions associated with hyperhidrosis.

1. Fever
Sweating during fever is quite common. Fever is characterized by an increase in the body’s temperature. It occurs when the body is trying to kill the virus or bacteria responsible for the infection. As the temperature rises, sweat glands kick in and start producing more sweat to cool the body down. Sweating may be accompanied by other symptoms such as chills, headache, body ache, and overall weakness.

2. Hyperthyroidism
The primary function of the thyroid gland is to produce hormones that regulate the metabolic rate of the body. Hyperthyroidism is a condition where the gland produces too much of the hormone thyroxine, causing an increase in metabolic rate beyond normal. A higher metabolic rate triggers excessive sweating and many other symptoms such as heart palpitations, abrupt weight loss, tremors, fatigue, and change in bowel movements. To manage hyperthyroidism, doctors often prescribe medications.

3. Menopause
Hot flashes and excessive sweating are among the most common symptoms of menopause. Menopause, as well as perimenopause — the period right before hitting menopause — is characterized by drastic hormonal changes. The fluctuations in hormone levels often produce a feeling of warmth in the body, triggering sweating. Menopause also causes various other symptoms like weight gain, chills, mood changes, and irregular periods. To reduce menopausal sweats, avoid common triggers like eating spicy foods and wearing tight clothing.

4. Diabetes
Diabetes causes issues with blood sugar regulation. If an individual’s blood sugar level is low — below 70 milligrams per deciliter — they have a condition called diabetic hypoglycemia. One of the common symptoms of this condition is excessive sweating. Diabetes-induced hyperhidrosis is a sign that the disease is not managed properly. It’s also important to know that consistently having low blood sugar for a long time can permanently damage nerves that control sweat glands.

5. Obesity
Another common underlying condition associated with hyperhidrosis is obesity or being overweight. Having excess body weight means one needs to physically push themselves more to perform simple daily activities, which causes the body to overheat and sweat profusely. Obesity is a major risk factor for many diseases, so it’s important to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

6. Heart failure
Heart failure is a chronic condition that affects the heart’s ability to pump blood. It occurs when the heart muscles get damaged, and the heart becomes incapable of pumping enough blood to reach all the areas of the body. Therefore, excessive fluid builds up in the lungs, legs, and other regions. To get rid of excess fluid, the body activates the sweat gland and releases fluid.