Do you sweat more than others? Does spending a few minutes on the treadmill leave you dripping wet? Do you feel the need to wipe your palms before every handshake? If your answer is yes to all these questions, you know how uncomfortable the situation is. At times, heavy sweating may be an indication of an underlying medical condition.

Let us find out the causes of heavy sweating.

1. Primary focal hyperhidrosis
It is a chronic skin condition that people usually inherit from their families. It mainly stems from a change or a mutation in the genes. It is also known as primary hyperhidrosis. In most people with excessive sweating, the cause is focal hyperhidrosis. This condition starts when someone turns twenty-five. Focal hyperhidrosis will affect the hands, armpits, head, and feet.

2. Generalized hyperhidrosis
Another one of the key reasons for heavy sweating is generalized hyperhidrosis. It may happen because of an underlying medical condition, such as Parkinson’s disease or diabetes, which might make a person sweat a lot more than usual. In addition, certain medications, such as zinc supplements and naproxen (Aleve), might also result in sweating as a side effect. This condition is mainly prevalent in adults.

3. Pregnancy
Many people often talk about “the pregnancy glow.” But very few understand that a thin glimmer of sweat cover this skin that makes it look glowy. Pregnant women may see an aggravation in the degree of sweat. It is because of the hormonal changes that occur in the body during pregnancy, followed by greater metabolism levels and increased blood flow. All of this can make one sweat more than usual. However, if the sweat is not causing any discomfort, it is pretty normal, and one shouldn’t worry about it.

4. Heart attack
Excessive and sudden sweating might also be an indication of an impending heart attack. This symptom usually prompts people to seek immediate medication attention during a heart attack. Heart attacks or strokes generally occur when blood supply is obstructed. It might also push the nervous system into a fight or flight situation, resulting in sweating or hot flashes. The knowledge of some other associated signs and symptoms of a heart attack can prove to be life-saving. These include a sensation of chest tightening or high pressure in the chest and pain in the back, chest, neck, shoulder, or arm. If one is experiencing any of these symptoms, with or without heavy sweating, they must seek immediate medical attention.

5. Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism may disturb the normal hormone levels in the body. It occurs due to the high hormone thyroxine in the body, which regulates body temperature, metabolism, and heart rate. When one experiences heavy sweating as an outcome of hyperthyroidism, they may also experience other signs, such as incomprehensible weight loss, heart palpitations, tremors, change in menstrual patterns or bowel habits, heat intolerance, and fatigue.