Perspiration - excessive
Key points
- Diaphoresis is a medical term for profuse sweating.
- In most cases, sweating is perfectly natural, especially asa a result of exercise or hot tempereatures, or if something has happened to cause an emotional response (anger, embarrassment, nervousness, fear, or anxiety).
- Home Care After an episode of unusual sweating, the face and body should be sponged, wet clothes or bed sheets changed.
- What to expect at your health care provider's office The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.
Alternative names
Sweating - excessive; Diaphoresis; Increased sweating
Definition
Diaphoresis is a medical term for profuse sweating. It can be normal (physiologic) - brought on by physical activity, emotional response, or high environmental temperature - or a symptom of an underlying disease (pathologic).
Considerations
In most cases, sweating is perfectly natural, especially asa a result of exercise or hot tempereatures, or if something has happened to cause an emotional response (anger, embarrassment, nervousness, fear, or anxiety).
If sweating is accompanied by fever, weight loss, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, or palpitations, other physical causes should be considered.
Common Causes
- Environmental temperatures
- Fever (often triggers sweating to cool off the body)
- Menopause
- Overactive thyroid gland (the hands shake, the hair thins, the skin is smooth, and the pulse is fast)
- Low blood sugar in a diabetic receiving insulin or oral medication
- Underlying infection or malignancy (sweating at night without an obvious cause)
- Emotional or psychological stimulation (being in or thinking about difficult situations)
- Exercise
- Spicy foods (known as "gustatory sweating")
- Drugs - including antipyretics, some antipsychotics, sympathomimetics, caffeine, morphine, alcohol and thyroid hormone
- Withdrawal from alcohol or narcotic analgesics
Home Care
After an episode of unusual sweating, the face and body should be sponged, wet clothes or bed sheets changed. Lost body fluids should be replaced by drinking plenty of water.
Room temperature should be kept moderate to prevent additional sweating.
For sweating due to menopause, ask your health care provider if estrogen replacement therapy is a viable option.
Call your health care provider if
- There is prolonged, excessive, and unexplained sweating.
- Sweating is accompanied or followed by chest pain or pressure.
- Sweating is accompanied by weight loss or occurs primarily at night during sleep.
What to expect at your health care provider's officeThe medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.
Written and revised by
David Cohen, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.