Diabetes And Excessive Sweating: What Is The Connection?

Sweating is a normal body function that occurs in response to stress or to regulate the temperature of the body on hot days. Diabetes may disrupt this function of the body and may cause excessive sweating. Diabetes leads to high blood sugar levels, hormonal changes and stress, all of which may cause abnormal sweating. It can also damage the nerves in the body leading to a high rate of sweating. 

Excessive sweating, due to factors other than exercise and temperature is called hyperhidrosis.   If you have diabetes and are experiencing abnormal sweating in any part of the body, you must consult a doctor immediately. Sweating may be caused due to numerous factors, some of them may not even be related to diabetes. Hence, consulting a doctor is a must. Knowing the cause of it will help understand the treatment that is required.

Causes Of Excessive Sweating In Diabetics:

Diabetic Neuropathy: When extremely high or low blood sugar levels result in the loss of nervous functions, it is called diabetic neuropathy. Most diabetic patients suffer some form of neuropathy or nerve damage due to diabetes. As the nervous system controls the sweat glands of the body, damage to these nerves may send wrong messages to the sweat glands, leading to excessive sweating or in some cases no sweating at all. Oxidative stress can also trigger diabetic neuropathy. When affected by diabetic neuropathy, you may sweat abnormally even at times that involve zero physical activity such as sleeping.

Hypoglycemia: Diabetics who take insulin or other medications may experience a condition of extremely low blood sugar levels, called hypoglycemia. It may happen if the patient has taken more insulin than prescribed, has exercised more profusely or has missed a meal. There are mainly two reasons responsible for hypoglycemia.

Damage to Autonomic Nervous System: The autonomic nervous system or ANS regulates body functions such as digestion, urination and sweating. These are the functions that cannot be controlled by people. Low blood sugar levels can severely disrupt the functioning of ANS leading to excessive sweating.

Production Of Epinephrine Or Adrenaline: Adrenaline is a hormone that is generally produced by the body to deal with stress. Low sugar levels can trigger the production of adrenaline in the body, causing excessive sweating.

Generally, hypoglycemia can be easily treated by controlling diabetes. In hypoglycemia, as soon as the blood sugar levels get back to normal, sweating stops. Therefore, by regulating the levels of blood glucose, you may prevent this condition. However, there are times when it can become life-threatening. It may cause unconsciousness and seizures. Hence, as soon as you start experiencing any symptoms, you must consult a doctor to see if you need any treatment.      

Tips To Prevent Excessive Sweating

• Use fabric made of natural materials on your body
• Take care of your body hygiene and take bath daily
• Change your socks and shoes often
• Wear comfortable shoes and keep your feet dry
• Manage your stress with meditation and mindfulness
• Eat a balanced diet to keep your diabetes controlled

Takeaway

Diabetes can cause excessive sweating in the body, either due to low blood sugar levels or nerve damage. Understanding the cause of excessive sweating will help us understand the type of treatment we should take. If you are experiencing abnormal sweating in any part of the body, consult your doctor immediately. Most of the time, it can be easily treated through medications. 

References Link:

• https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes/is-sweating-normal#treatment
• https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317366#diabetes-and-sweating-problems
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hyperhidrosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20367152
• https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17113-hyperhidrosis
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypoglycemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20373685