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Sweating health advice

excessive sweating under arms
(17 Dec 2007)

Sweating is a natural body process, but can become excessive for some individuals. This generally occurs during strenuous physical activities or in high temperatures. Sweating or perspiration also takes place during puberty, menopause or when the body experiences nausea or nervousness.


Sweating also commonly takes place in individuals that are obese. Sweating is actually the process by which the body secretes fluids through the skin. These fluids are composed mainly of water and to some extent also contain urea, sodium chloride, lactate and certain minerals. It is the sweat glands that are responsible for producing sweat, and these glands are situated throughout the entire body. Perspiration also occurs in order to eliminate waste products from the body.
 
Excessive sweating constitutes a medical condition called hyperhidrosis, which is characterized by an increased production of sweat in certain parts of the body. Individuals suffering from hyperhidrosis may experience a great deal of physical and social discomfort. When sweating occurs excessively on the armpits, hands and feet it is known as focal or primary hyperhidrosis. In most cases no exact cause can be ascertained. However, it is believed to be passed on by genetic traits. Secondary hyperhidrosis occurs due to other medical conditions. It may take place throughout the body or may be restricted to a single area. The medical conditions that lead to secondary hyperhidrosis include anxiety, acromegaly, cancer, heart problems, lung disease, thyroid disorders, menopause, stroke, parkinson’s disease and tuberculosis. Use of certain drugs or medications can also lead to this condition.

In order to deal with the problem of excessive sweating, you can try and determine if the sweating is being caused by any particular food. Sometimes alcohol and caffeine intake are known to cause profuse sweating when taken excessively. Also avoid eating spicy foods as this will result in a strong odor in the sweat. Ensure that you wear loose fitted cotton clothing that allows for ample circulation of air. If anxiety and stress is bringing on the excessive sweating, then it would be a good idea to practice relaxation through meditation or yoga. Consuming tomato juice is known to be an effective remedy for reducing excessive sweating. To combat the odor of underarm sweat, you can apply apple cider vinegar to the area. Applying lemon juice under the arms after taking a shower will also help to prevent excess sweating. Application of a mixture of cornstarch and baking powder serves as a natural antiperspirant and can be applied to the under arm area to restrict sweating.
answered by G M on 6 Apr 2010, 7:00:12

 

Sweating is a regular function of your body – it is the way in which your body temperature stays regulated. The sweat glands in our skin generate sweat by filtering the salt and fluid from our blood, and secrete this fluid through the sweat ducts onto the top layer of our skin. Certain areas such as the groin and underarms have a special sweat gland called the apocrine gland. This gland secretes a thick type of sweat that has a large amount of fatty chemicals in it. These chemicals are mostly responsible (although indirectly) for our body odor. Excessive sweating, also known as hyperhidrosis, is mainly caused due to hereditary, hormonal imbalance, high emotional excitement, spicy foods, exercise, or stress.  

To prevent sweating excessively in your underarms you could try various things. Firstly, make sure the clothes that you wear are cotton. Your skin requires space to breathe and certain clothes are likely to irritate and heat the skin, causing excessive sweating. If you are overweight, you also need to start eating healthier and lose some weight, as that would help reduce your sweat levels too. If you are not overweight, you need to add more fiber to your diet and avoid spices to help flush out all the toxins from your body. Drinking a lot of water helps to cleanse your body, and also prevents underarm odor. Lime juice is supposed to be very effective in curing underarm sweating. You should take a lime and slice it (make sure the lime is not too ripe). Take each half, and rub it on your armpits. This remedy would help you reduce the sweat, prevent the odor, and also help whiten the skin. However, you should not use this remedy if you have any kind of rash in the armpit area. Applying apple cider or vinegar on your armpits also helps solve the problem gradually. You should apply the vinegar on your armpits before you sleep at night, and let it dry naturally. Wash it off the next morning. In addition, having 2-3 showers everyday will make you feel better, and is also hygienic in such conditions.   

After trying various things, if you are yet not able to find the exact cause of your excess underarm sweating, you need to visit a doctor for a physical test that would help you determine the cause. The doctor could prescribe you with medications or also recommend surgery if the cause of the excess sweat is in your sweat glands themselves.
answered by G M on 7 Oct 2009, 1:29:14

 

Sweating health advice-

1. Do yogic breathing that is kapalbhaati and anulom vilom for 15 minutes each, 2 times a day on an empty stomach.

2. Take 20 drops of lemon juice in 1 cup of warm water early in the morning for 2 months.

3. Take a homeopathic remedy called Calcarea carb 50 m a single dose. Then wait for 1 month and take a second dose.

4. Avoid eating fatty, oily and seasoned foods. Eat lots of green salads and fruits. A Major part of your diet should be vegetables and fruits.

answered by D M K on 29 Dec 2007, 5:45:05

 

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