Why do I sweat so much

The primary reason your body needs to sweat is to regulate your body temperature. Your sweat glands, located on the surface of the skin, release a saline solution onto the skin which subsequently evaporates in the air as water vapor. It is the process of evaporation completing the cycle of perspiration that effective serves to cool the body, as evaporation requires energy and this energy is provided by extracting heat energy out of the skin –- thus cooling the body. This is also why we feel cold as sweat evaporates, whether in the open air or getting out of a shower or bath.

It is normal and healthy to sweat, and many people sweat a lot. Very fit people that exercise a lot may have faster metabolic rates which cause their bodies to burn energy at a faster rate and this may increase the amount they sweat. This is, again, perfectly normal, as such people are sweating in order to maintain a functional body temperature. In many cases the more a person has a heightened metabolic rate due to exercise or other factors the more their body will sweat in order to properly disperse of the excess energy generated by the metabolic process. For this reason there is not a “standard” amount of sweat that people should naturally generate as everyone’s body operates at different levels and with different energy intake/output amounts.

There are, however, times when excessive sweating can be an indication of something that requires attention. There are certain medical conditions that result in heavy sweating, such as hypothyroidism and diabetes. Such conditions will often present themselves with other related symptoms, however this is not necessarily the case. If you feel you may be at risk of suffering from one of these ailments it might be a good idea to consult with a physician immediately in order to get a professional assessment of your case in particular, particularly if you find yourself losing fluids regularly.

As a natural process of cause and effect, losing a lot of fluid through sweating will result in feeling thirsty. If after having taken in adequate fluids you find that you cannot satisfy your thirst this may be an indication that something else is going on and medical advice may be required. There is also a condition called hyperhidrosis, the symptoms of which are nothing other than over-active sweat glands. As ever, if you are concerned, see your doctor for a full evaluation as it is always better to err on the side of judgment when it comes to your health.

Also, if you are taking certain types of medication, this can also cause excessive sweating. Medications such as anti-depressants can cause perspiration to occur, particularly around the neck region. Be certain to discuss things with your doctor if you are in any way concerned, however do not be overly concerned if a doctor can not find any detrimental condition with your body that would cause a large amount of sweat to be produced as it could simply be natural.