Sweating is the natural mechanism of the body to regulate its temperature. However, if unusual and excessive sweating occurs for no apparent reason, then it may be a reason for concern.
Diaphoresis or excessive sweating is a medical condition. In this condition, you sweat profusely due to any underlying medical conditions. It may be commonly associated with shock and other medical emergencies. It may be observed as excessive sweating even in conditions when:
- The room temperature is comfortable or mild.
- You are not anxious.
- You do not have a fever.
- You are relaxing or doing a comfortable task, such as watching a movie.
Once the causes are ruled out, then it is more precisely referred to as hyperhidrosis. Hyperhidrosis is a problem caused due to malfunctioning of the nervous system or overactive sweat glands. Diaphoresis is also known as secondary hyperhidrosis because it is a symptom of an underlying disorder.
What is the treatment for diaphoresis?
The primary option for diaphoresis is to treat the underlying disease or disorder that is causing profuse sweating.
Treatment options may depend on your symptoms. Some of the treatment options for diaphoresis include:
- Over the counter or prescription antiperspirant roll
- Botox injection may temporarily stop the nerves from triggering excessive sweating
- Oral prescription medications, mostly anticholinergics
- Iontophoresis: It uses low-level electrical impulses to block the sweat glands temporarily.
- Microwave therapy: In this technique, a high-tech device emitting thermal energy is used to destroy sweat glands permanently.
- Sympathectomy: A surgical procedure that disturbs the nerve signals associated with sweating. The doctors usually prescribe this surgery in severe cases.
QUESTION
What percentage of the human body is water? See AnswerMayo Clinic. Excessive Sweating. https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/excessive-sweating/basics/when-to-see-doctor/sym-20050780
Top What Is Diaphoresis? Related Articles
Common Medical Abbreviations & Terms
Doctors, pharmacists, and other health-care professionals use abbreviations, acronyms, and other terminology for instructions and information in regard to a patient's health condition, prescription drugs they are to take, or medical procedures that have been ordered. There is no approved this list of common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology used by doctors and other health- care professionals. You can use this list of medical abbreviations and acronyms written by our doctors the next time you can't understand what is on your prescription package, blood test results, or medical procedure orders. Examples include:
- ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of disease.
- ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure
- cap: Capsule.
- CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea.
- DJD: Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis.
- DM: Diabetes mellitus. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- HA: Headache
- IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- JT: Joint
- N/V: Nausea or vomiting.
- p.o.: By mouth. From the Latin terminology per os.
- q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in taking a medicine four times daily.
- RA: Rheumatoid arthritis
- SOB: Shortness of breath.
- T: Temperature. Temperature is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs."
Sweating: Why We Sweat, What’s Normal, and What’s Excessive (Hyperhidrosis)?
Read about hyperhidrosis (excessive axillary, palmar, plantar sweating) treatment (antiperspirant, Botox, surgery), a sign of, and causes. Find out how to put a stop to sweaty palms (hands), feet, and underarms.
Night Sweats
Night sweats are severe hot flashes that occur at night and result in a drenching sweat. The causes of night sweats in most people are not serious, like menopause in women, sleep apnea, medications, alcohol withdrawal, and thyroid problems. However, more serious diseases like cancer and HIV also can cause night sweats. Your doctor will treat your night sweats depending upon the cause.
You may experience other signs and symptoms that are associated with night sweats, which depend upon the cause, but may include, shaking, and chills with a fever caused by an infection like the flu or pneumonia; unexplained weight loss due to lymphoma; women in perimenopause or menopause may also have vaginal dryness, mood swings, and hot flashes during the day; and low blood sugar in people with diabetes.
Other causes of night sweats include medications like NSAIDs (aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), antidepressants, sildenafil (Viagra), and abuse of prescription or illegal drugs and drug withdrawal; hormone disorders like pheochromocytoma and carcinoid syndrome; idiopathic hyperhidrosis; infections like endocarditis, AIDs, and abscesses; alcoholism and alcohol withdrawal; drug abuse, addiction, and withdrawal; and stroke.
A doctor or other health care professional can treat your night sweats after the cause has been diagnosed.
Sweating Quiz
What is the medical term for excessive sweating? Take the Sweating (Perspiration) Quiz to learn the benefits of sweating. Yes, there are benefits!