Sweating is normal for everyone, especially when the weather is hot or while exercising. However, some people sweat profusely even when the conditions are cool and without any apparent reason. This condition is called hyperhidrosis, and it causes a lot of embarrassment, social anxiety, and even psychological trauma.

In this condition, you sweat excessively in the underarm, palm, sole, back, and groin areas. It can disrupt your daily activities and can significantly affect your career choices, personal relationships, and leisure activities. While it does not lead to severe results, the condition can deteriorate your self-image and emotional wellbeing.

Your doctor may give you antiperspirants for initial treatment. If that doesn’t work, and in severe cases, your doctor can suggest surgery to remove the sweat glands or disconnect the sweat-producing nerves the cause excessive sweating. If left untreated, hyperhidrosis continues throughout life.

Common causes of excessive sweating

Some of the most common triggers for hyperhidrosis or heavy sweating include:

• Fungal or bacterial infections
• Drug overdose
• Viral infections
• Malignant tumors
• Emotional disturbances
• Autonomic nervous system damage
• Abscesses
• Myelofibrosis
• Heat exhaustion
• Overactive hormones
• Hyperthyroidism
• Leukemia
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Tuberculosis
• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Hypertension

Common triggers for over sweating
In case you suffer from this condition, it is essential to know the common triggers for hyperhidrosis or heavy sweating.

Stress
If you observe that you are sweating for no apparent reason, stress could be the underlying cause. It is a significant trigger of sweat and many other symptoms. It’s good to pause and do a mental checkup if something is bothering you, or if you are constantly worried about something. 

Overactive hormones
Pregnancy and menopause in women are the main triggers of excessive sweating. Overactive male hormones due to some health conditions are also the cause of hyperhidrosis in men. Puberty and overactive thyroid in men and women lead to crazy hormones that cause excessive sweating.

Social anxiety
While excessive sweating can cause social anxiety, this mental condition itself is one of the common triggers for hyperhidrosis or heavy sweating. See if you get nervous just before you need to socialize with others. Experiencing sweaty spurts is very common for someone with social anxiety. Try incorporating relaxation techniques or ask your doctor for anti-anxiety medications. Antiperspirants can also be used to control excessive sweating.

You are overweight or work out rigorously
Physical fitness determines the amount of sweat your body produces. If you are obese, your body needs to work harder to carry the excess weight, and this leads to an increased heart rate and causes more sweating. Even if you are fit, your body is used to produce more sweat due to regular exercise. You can use a clinical-strength antiperspirant to reduce the amount of sweat your body produces.

You’re eating the wrong foods
Eating food that is hard to digest, including fatty foods and spicy foods are the common triggers for hyperhidrosis or heavy sweating. Your body works harder to digest these foods, and your heart rate increases. This signals and activates the sweat glands to produce more sweat. Even foods like some fish, eggs, legumes, and certain meat products can cause over sweating. Though you need not eliminate them completely, reduce the intake, and incorporate some light food too.