Editing Perspiration (section)

==Causes==
{{More citations needed section|date=March 2016}}

[[File:Brendon Ayanbadejo by Keith Allison 2 (cropped).jpg|thumb|alt=A gridiron football player places his hand on his head while sweat drips down his forehead and around his ear.|An athlete with sweat on his face after physical exertion.]]

Diaphoresis is a [[non-specific symptom]] or sign, which means that it has many possible causes. Some causes of diaphoresis include physical exertion, [[menopause]], fever, ingestion of toxins or irritants, and high environmental temperature. Strong emotions (anger, fear, anxiety) and recall of past trauma can also trigger sweating. This is sometimes referred to as [[stage fright|flop]] sweat.<ref>"Beyond shyness and stage fright: Social anxiety disorder". Harvard Mental Health Letter. 4 April 2010. Retrieved December 8, 2012.</ref>

The vast majority of sweat glands in the body are innervated by [[Sympathetic nervous system|sympathetic]] [[cholinergic]] neurons.<ref>Boron, Walter F., and Emile L. Boulpaep. "Sweating." Medical Physiology. Updated 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier, 2012. 1260–264. Print.</ref>  Sympathetic postganglionic neurons typically secrete [[norepinephrine]] and are named sympathetic [[adrenergic]] neurons;  however, the sympathetic postganglionic neurons that innervate sweat glands secrete [[acetylcholine]] and hence are termed sympathetic cholinergic neurons. Sweat glands, piloerector muscles, and some blood vessels are innervated by sympathetic cholinergic neurons.

===Pathological sweating and symptoms===

Diaphoresis may be associated with some abnormal conditions, such as [[hyperthyroidism]] and shock. If it is accompanied by unexplained [[weight loss]], [[fever]]/[[chills]], or by [[palpitation]]s, [[Dyspnea|shortness of breath]], [[unconsciousness]], [[fatigue]], [[dizziness]], [[muscle pain]], [[nausea]], [[vomiting]], [[diarrhea]], and chest discomfort, it suggests serious illness.

Diaphoresis is also seen in an acute [[myocardial infarction]] (heart attack), from the increased firing of the [[sympathetic nervous system]], and is frequent in [[serotonin syndrome]], which can result in serious sickness or even death. Diaphoresis can also be caused by many types of infections, often accompanied by [[high fever]] and/or [[chills]] which can trigger the result of [[hyperthermia]]. Most infections can cause some degree of diaphoresis and it is a very common symptom in some serious infections such as [[malaria]] and [[tuberculosis]].  In addition, pneumothorax can cause diaphoresis with splinting of the chest wall.
[[Neuroleptic malignant syndrome]] and other malignant diseases (e.g. leukemias) can also cause diaphoresis.<ref>{{EMedicine|article|816018|Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome|clinical}}</ref>

Diabetics relying on [[insulin]] shots or oral medications may have low [[blood sugar]] ([[hypoglycemia]]), which can also cause diaphoresis.

Drugs (including [[caffeine]], [[morphine]], [[alcohol (drug)|alcohol]], antidepressants and certain antipsychotics) may be causes, as well as [[Drug withdrawal|withdrawal]] from [[alcohol (drug)|alcohol]], [[benzodiazepines]], [[nonbenzodiazepines]] or [[narcotic]] painkiller dependencies. [[Sympathetic nervous system]] stimulants such as [[cocaine]] and [[amphetamines]] have also been associated with diaphoresis. Diaphoresis due to ectopic [[catecholamine]] is a classic symptom of a [[pheochromocytoma]], a rare [[tumor]] of the [[adrenal gland]]. [[Acetylcholinesterase]] inhibitors (e.g. some [[insecticides]]) also cause contraction of sweat gland smooth muscle leading to diaphoresis.
[[Mercury (element)|Mercury]] is well known for its use as a diaphoretic, and was widely used in the 19th and early 20th century by physicians to "purge" the body of an illness. However, due to the high toxicity of mercury, secondary symptoms would manifest, which were erroneously attributed to the former disease that was being treated with mercurials.{{citation needed|date=July 2022}}

Infantile [[Mercury poisoning#Infantile acrodynia|acrodynia]] (childhood mercury poisoning) is characterized by excessive perspiration.  A clinician should immediately consider acrodynia in an afebrile child who is sweating profusely.

Some people can develop a [[sweat allergy]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Hiragun |first=Takaaki |last2=Hiragun |first2=Makiko |last3=Ishii |first3=Kaori |last4=Kan |first4=Takanobu |last5=Hide |first5=Michihiro |date=July 2017 |title=Sweat allergy: Extrinsic or intrinsic? |journal=Journal of Dermatological Science |volume=87 |issue=1 |pages=3–9 |doi=10.1016/j.jdermsci.2017.03.002 |pmid=28416076 |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name="Yolozeki_2016">{{Cite book |last=Yokozeki |first=Hiroo |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bFgDDQAAQBAJ |title=Perspiration Research |last2=Murota |first2=Hiroyuki |last3=Katayama |first3=Ichrio |date=2016-09-01 |isbn=978-3-318-05904-5 |series=Current Problems in Dermatology |volume=51 |pages=101–108 |language=en |chapter=Sweat Allergy |doi=10.1159/000446788 |lccn=2016030383 |oclc=958455309 |ol=OL40308286M |pmid=27584969 |access-date=2024-01-13 |via=[[Google Books]] |df=dmy-all}}</ref> The allergy is not due to the sweat itself but instead to an allergy-producing protein secreted by bacteria found on the skin.{{r|Yolozeki_2016|page=52}} Tannic-acid has been found to suppress the allergic response along with showering.<ref name=":0" />

===Hyperhidrosis===
{{Further|Hyperhidrosis}}
Millions of people are affected by [[hyperhidrosis]], but more than half never receive treatment due to embarrassment, lack of awareness, or lack of concern.<ref name=mlp/> While it most commonly affects the [[armpits]], feet, and hands, it is possible for someone to experience this condition over their whole body. The face is another common area for hyperhidrosis to be an issue. Sweating uncontrollably is not always expected and may be embarrassing to people with the condition. It can cause both physiological and emotional problems in patients. It is generally inherited.<ref name=mlp/> It is not life-threatening, but it is threatening to a person's quality of life.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Kamudoni |first=P. |last2=Mueller |first2=B. |last3=Halford |first3=J. |last4=Schouveller |first4=A. |last5=Stacey |first5=B. |last6=Salek |first6=M.S. |date=8 June 2017 |title=The impact of hyperhidrosis on patients' daily life and quality of life: a qualitative investigation |journal=Health and Quality of Life Outcomes |volume=15 |issue=1 |pages=121 |doi=10.1186/s12955-017-0693-x |issn=1477-7525 |pmc=5465471 |pmid=28595584 |doi-access=free}}</ref> Treatments for hyperhidrosis include [[Deodorant#Deodorant antiperspirant|antiperspirants]], iontophoresis, and surgical removal of sweat glands. In severe cases, [[botulinum toxin]] injections or surgical cutting of nerves that stimulate the excessive sweating ([[endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy]]) may be an option.<ref name="mlp">{{Cite web |date=7 June 2023 |title=Hyperhidrosis |url=https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007259.htm |access-date=17 January 2024 |publisher=MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine |language=en}}</ref>

===Night sweats===
{{Main|Night sweats}}
Night sweats, also known as nocturnal hyperhidrosis, is the occurrence of excessive sweating during sleep. The person may or may not also perspire excessively while awake.

One of the most common causes of night sweats in women over 40 is the hormonal changes related to menopause and perimenopause. This is a very common occurrence during the menopausal transition years.

While night sweats might be relatively harmless, it can also be a sign of a serious underlying disease. It is important to distinguish night sweats due to medical causes from those that occur simply because the sleep environment is too warm, either because the bedroom is unusually hot or because there are too many covers on the bed. Night sweats caused by a medical condition or infection can be described as "severe hot flashes occurring at night that can drench sleepwear and sheets, which are not related to the environment". Some of the underlying medical conditions and infections that cause these severe night sweats can be life-threatening and should promptly be investigated by a medical practitioner.{{citation needed|date=July 2022}}