Sweating in hot weather or after physical activity is normal, but some people might experience profuse sweating without any external factors inducing it. This could be due to hyperhidrosis, which can lead to embarrassing situations and cause discomfort. The condition can be of two types: primary and secondary hyperhidrosis, and understanding the causes can help patients take effective measures to treat it.

1. Causes of primary hyperhidrosis
This type of hyperhidrosis causes excessive sweating is only noticed in some parts of the body like the palms and soles, armpits, groin area, and under the breasts.

• The exact cause of this type of excessive sweating disorder is not known yet. It can occur without any external triggers activating the sweat glands and can also affect people who have not been on regular medications that might sometimes cause sweating. Additionally, no medical condition is associated with excessive sweating in this case.
• It is believed to develop due to inherited genetic traits, but research in this area is limited.
• Mental or physical stress may trigger profuse sweating, so people with primary hyperhidrosis might sweat a lot, especially after physical activity or on a sunny day. That said, it is only a trigger for flare-ups and not a cause of the condition.

2. Causes of secondary hyperhidrosis
The causes of primary and secondary hyperhidrosis can vary. The latter is usually caused by underlying health conditions or certain medications and leads to sweating in one general area or throughout the body. Let’s look at the common causes of secondary hyperhidrosis:

• Underlying health problems
  Secondary hyperhidrosis is common in people with chronic conditions like diabetes, obesity, or gout. Women going through menopause might also experience excessive sweating. Some women might also develop the condition when pregnant, but it might resolve on its own after delivery in such cases. People with hyperthyroidism might experience excessive sweating if they skip their medications, and mental health illnesses like anxiety might also trigger secondary hyperhidrosis.
• Medications
  Diabetes itself is a major cause of excessive sweating, but medicines prescribed for treating the condition can also trigger sweating. Insulin doses could also cause hyperhidrosis at times. Certain medications prescribed for mental illnesses like depression can also lead to secondary hyperhidrosis. So, people who suspect that they might have secondary hyperhidrosis should approach a doctor before starting any new medications. Additionally, medical intervention might not be essential in some cases, and one can simply rely on natural ways to deal with excessive sweating.

Understanding the causes of primary and secondary hyperhidrosis can help better manage the symptoms and alleviate the associated discomfort. Overactive sweat glands cause the body to lose water rapidly, so one should take effective steps to manage the condition and prevent dehydration.