Sweating is a very normal physiological response of the human body.

When the surface temperature of the body exceeds 37°C, we need to sweat to release heat.

According to experts, our sweat glands are not the body’s main detoxifying organs. Most waste substances in the body are carried by the blood to the liver and kidneys for metabolism and excretion. Sweat is made up of 99% water, and the remaining 1% consists of urea, lactic acid, sodium chloride, and other components.

Why do people sweat differently?

In daily life, some people sweat easily even with little activity, while others hardly sweat at all even during intense exercise. What causes this difference?

Differences in sweat glands

The human body has about 4 million sweat glands. Each person has a different number and level of development of these glands. The more and better developed the sweat glands, the more frequently a person sweats. Conversely, those with fewer and less developed sweat glands will sweat less.

Differences in gender

In general, men tend to sweat more easily than women because male hormones like testosterone stimulate sweat secretion, while female hormones such as estradiol suppress it.

Differences in body weight

People with more body fat have a thicker layer of fat, making it harder for heat to dissipate, so they sweat more easily. The opposite happens with thinner individuals.

---

When sweating becomes a “cry for help”

Although sweating is a normal physiological phenomenon, in some cases, unusual sweating may actually be the body’s way of signaling a health problem.

1. Night sweats

Lymphoma, as its name suggests, is a tumor that develops in the lymph nodes. It is one of the fastest-growing malignant tumors and is also easily misdiagnosed. Patients with lymphoma may experience abnormal night sweats—waking up drenched in sweat even when the room is cool.
Other possible symptoms include: unexplained swelling of lymph nodes, fever, itching, weight loss, and body aches.

2. Sweaty palms

Normally, our hands don’t sweat much unless the weather is hot. However, if your palms are constantly damp, it may be due to palmar hyperhidrosis. This condition occurs when the sweat glands in the hands overproduce sweat without being triggered by external temperature. Patients may also sweat excessively in the feet, armpits, and groin. These areas are more prone to dermatitis, itching, and other skin problems.
If these symptoms appear, it is important to seek medical advice promptly for proper treatment.

3. Sudden sweating with dizziness

If you suddenly start sweating excessively in a hot environment, accompanied by symptoms like dizziness, nausea, and vomiting, you may be experiencing heatstroke. When this occurs, it is crucial to move to a cool, ventilated place, rest, and rehydrate. If symptoms persist, medical attention is necessary.

4. Sudden cold sweats

During a heart attack, the heart’s blood supply decreases, leading to low blood pressure and vasoconstriction, which causes the body to sweat. In this case, sweating is usually concentrated on the neck, forehead, hands, and feet.