A – Z of Illnesses & Conditions

Perspiration (Excessive Sweating):  Excessive sweating can occur in many different areas on the body. Most commonly, hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) occurs on the palms of the hands, feet and armpits. While doctors do not know why excessive sweating starts, the most likely cause is a genetic one. They have successfully linked excessive sweating to over activity in the sympathetic nervous system.

There is no set way of defining excessive sweating, but if sweating is interfering with your daily life and normal activities, you may have hyperhidrosis.

Specifically, it is the Thoracic Sympathetic Ganglion Chain, which runs along the vertebra of the spine inside the chest cavity. The gene responsible for excessive sweating activates the sympathetic ganglia located in the upper chest cavity for sweating hands and in the lumbar region for sweating feet. Sometimes people perspire heavily because of other illnesses such as hyperthyroidism, psychiatric disorders, menopause and obesity.

Visit your GP if you feel that your sweating is interfering with your daily activities. If you suddenly start sweating excessively, visit your doctor so that the cause of your sweating can be investigated. Also visit your doctor if you are having night sweats, because it can sometimes be a sign of something more serious.