Also known as sudorrhea or polyhidrosis, hyperhidrosis is a condition that causes excessive sweating. This can negatively impact a certain body part or the whole body. Of course, it is not life-threatening, but it can be quite uncomfortable and lead to psychological trauma and social embarrassment. In this article, we will discuss the causes of primary and secondary hyperhidrosis. So let us get started and address them one by one.
1. Causes of primary focal hyperhidrosis
In primary focal hyperhidrosis, you experience sweating in one or more than one focal area in the body. In this case, sweating is seen mainly in the underarm region, palms, or soles. At times, primary focal hyperhidrosis tends to affect the scalp and the face.
- Primary idiopathic hyperhidrosis
Idiopathic stands for a disease where the mechanism of the origin or the cause is not known. Typically, maximum hyperhidrosis cases are idiopathic. - Frey’s syndrome
It is a rare neurological disorder and is known as gustatory sweating. - Other neurologic conditions
It includes miscellaneous conditions or spinal injuries all associated with the nervous system.
2. Causes of secondary hyperhidrosis
In secondary hyperhidrosis, there is sweating involved. However, it is relatively different from primary hyperhidrosis sweating. In this case, you will experience sweating in one general area or all over, instead of just the face, hands, feet, or underarms. Also, unlike the former, you are more susceptible to sweating during slumber in secondary hyperhidrosis.
- Medications
Several medications may be causing secondary hyperhidrosis in you. So, inform your doctor if you take medicines for diabetes, including sulfonylureas and insulin, antidepressants for depression, Alzheimer’s, and Pilocarpine for glaucoma. - Medical conditions
Also, several kinds of medical conditions can result in secondary hyperhidrosis. These include diabetes, pregnancy, anxiety, rheumatoid arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, menopause, infection, hyperthyroidism, heart attack, or heart failure. It is essential to unveil the underlying condition and receive apt treatment. It will help lower the symptoms of secondary hyperhidrosis. Hence, it is ideal for communicating with your doctor when you are experiencing a sweating issue. - Weight
Obesity or extra body weight is one of the prevalent causes of secondary hyperhidrosis. It happens because the body heat becomes trapped by the adipose tissue, which drives away the natural cooling response in the body and leads to extreme perspiration. - Cardiovascular
There are multiple factors associated with a normal cardiovascular function that overlaps with hyperhidrosis. For example, the same reason, which causes hyperhidrosis sweating, also increases blood pressure and heart rate.
