How Diabetes Causes Abnormal Sweating & How To Treat It.

Sweating is a natural bodily process that happens as a result of an increase in body temperature. Sweating is the body's way of cooling down, and it isn't always pleasant (and may be humiliating at times). 

Some people sweat more than others, while others do not sweat at all. Diabetes can make it difficult to control your body temperature. Learn more about why this occurs, why you may sweat more at particular times, and what you can do to sweat more "naturally."

Diabetes can make it harder for a person's body to maintain a consistent temperature and generate the appropriate quantity of perspiration to keep them cool. Hormonal abnormalities, cardiovascular issues, and stress are all potential causes. Diabetes can have an impact on all of these.

Sweating issues might indicate that a person's diabetes care, including appropriate blood sugar control, needs to be reviewed.

Diabetes and sweating

Sweating occurs for two basic reasons:

• To control body temperature, as in hot weather and after strenuous exercise
• In response to emotional stress

Diabetes can cause a person to sweat excessively or insufficiently. This might cause issues during warmer temperatures. However, the inability to regulate body temperature might put a person at risk in frigid weather.

Excessive sweating without a clear cause, on a calm day, or at times of low exertion may indicate that a person should consult a doctor.

Sweating may affect:

• The underarms
• The face, as well as maybe the chest and neck
• The hands and feet

What causes abnormal sweating in diabetics?

The following are the most typical causes of excessive sweating in diabetics:

• Low blood sugar levels
• Diabetes-related nerve system damage

Low blood sugar levels, often less than 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl), can cause a fight-or-flight reaction, stimulating the release of hormones that promote perspiration.

Diabetic neuropathy can arise when blood sugar levels are excessively high for an extended period of time.

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), around half of all diabetics have some sort of nerve damage, sometimes known as neuropathy.

Damage to the nerves that regulate sweat glands might cause them to transmit the wrong message — or no message at all. This might lead to excessive or insufficient perspiration.

Why diabetes can cause abnormal sweating

Diabetes can induce excessive perspiration for a variety of reasons. Excessive sweating may be classified into three types:

Hyperhidrosis

Also known as excessive sweating. This can happen everywhere on the body, although it usually happens in the underarms, back, and hands.

Hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating caused by factors other than hot weather or strenuous activity. Primary focal hyperhidrosis occurs when hyperactive nerves tell sweat glands to produce perspiration even when the temperature is cool. Stress, nervousness, and worry can exacerbate the situation. Although the entire body can sweat, the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and even the face are affected.

Diabetes-related hyperhidrosis may be caused by nerve injury; in this case, the nerves that govern the sweat glands are always active, which explains the excessive sweating.

Gustatory sweating, or perspiration that happens when eating.

 You may experience gustatory sweating if you sweat on your face, head, or neck while eating or after eating. This form of sweating is common in people who have had diabetes for a long time and has been associated to peripheral neuropathy, renal illness, and other disorders that can affect the autonomic nervous system.

Gustatory sweating, also known as Frey's Syndrome, happens after eating or drinking any type of beverage or food (even ice cream!). According to the International Hyperhidrosis Society, gustatory sweating can occur following surgery or damage to the parotid glands, the body's major salivary glands. Sweating and face flushes are caused by this injury.

However, gustatory sweating can occur for a variety of causes, including diabetes, Parkinson's disease, cluster headaches, and shingles. Sweating and flushing can occur when a person eats, watches, thinks about, or speaks about food. In the case of diabetes, this form of sweating can occur with long-term diabetes as well as renal failure, peripheral neuropathy, and autonomic neuropathy.

 Night sweat

Because of hypoglycemia, night sweating (or sweats) may happen. The body uses the carbohydrates you've consumed to mend and restore itself during the course of the night. Sweating may result from a dip in blood sugar levels brought on by inadequate carbohydrate intake, excessive insulin usage, or more intense activity than normal.

Low blood sugar levels can cause the autonomic nervous system to become active, which helps control sweating. Sweating may also be brought on by the hormone adrenaline, which is secreted while under stress.

If you sweat at night, it's critical to monitor your blood sugar. You must treat the low with a carbohydrate supply if it is lower than 70 mg/dl or a target that your doctor advises. You should discuss the possibility of changing your diabetes treatment plan with your provider if you have persistent hypoglycemia at night.

How to treat excessive sweating

lifestyle changes to treat excessive sweating:

• Regular water intake.
• Tannic acid-containing astringents
• Regular bathing.
• Natural-materials shoes and moisture-wicking socks
• Changing socks often and cleaning your feet after each change.
• Natural fiber clothing that allows your skin to breathe.
• Activewear comprised of moisture-wicking materials.
• Techniques for relaxation
• Healthy nutrition, physical exercise, medicines, and blood glucose monitoring are all part of blood sugar control.

Excessive sweating can be treated medicinally.

Excessive sweating is treated and managed differently depending on the reason and intensity. The following are some popular methods for treating or controlling sweating:

• Aluminum chloride-containing clinical-strength or prescription antiperspirants
• Creams containing glycopyrrolate, which can aid with gustatory perspiration.
• Anticholinergics are nerve-blocking drugs. These can include dry mouth, bladder issues, and blurred vision.
• Antidepressants.
• Injections of botulinum toxin, which temporarily blocks the nerves that induce sweating.
• Microwave treatment, in which microwave radiation is used to kill sweat glands.
• Removal of sweat glands.
• Surgery on the nerves.

Sweating is an important function that enables the body to maintain a constant temperature. Sweating excessively might be humiliating. However, not sweating enough might lead to severe hyperthermia.

One strategy to lessen the likelihood of sweating difficulties is to manage blood sugar levels and stick to the treatment plan.

Anyone who is concerned about their sweating rate or difficulty to maintain a suitable body temperature should consult a doctor.