When engaging in physical activity, such as exercise, the body tends to sweat profusely, leading many to believe that the more they sweat, the more calories they are burning. In this article, we explore whether this notion is true or not.
What causes sweat and why does the body sweat?
The body produces sweat as a result of its heat transfer process, also called metabolism. During metabolism, the food we consume is converted into energy, which generates heat. To regulate the body's temperature and maintain a suitable level of heat, sweat is expelled as a cooling mechanism. Apart from the regular mechanism of regulating body heat, there are several other factors that can cause sweating in the body. Some of these factors include:
· Stimulation from emotional states such as anger, fear, stress, anxiety, etc.
· Consuming specific types of food and drinks, like spicy foods, alcoholic beverages, and caffeinated drinks, can also trigger sweating in the body.
· Some congenital diseases
· Hormonal changes
Is Sweating Related to Burning Energy?
Although exercising can make you sweat more, the amount of sweat you produce is not necessarily related to the number of calories you burn. Sweat is primarily a way for the body to regulate its temperature and avoid overheating, which can lead to heat stroke. Therefore, the weight loss experienced immediately after exercising is usually due to water weight lost through sweating, not the burning of calories.
Low-intensity exercise, which efficiently converts fat into energy, typically does not cause excessive sweating because there is no significant heat accumulation. However, as exercise intensity increases, the body may need to use energy from starch instead of fat, leading to a rise in body temperature and increased sweat production.
The belief that more sweat equals more fat burning is only partially true. Excessive sweating not caused by high temperatures or physical activity could be a symptom of hyperhidrosis.
What is Hyperhidrosis?
Hyperhidrosis is a condition where the body produces an excessive amount of sweat through the skin due to various factors, including nervous system defects, hormonal imbalances, or certain medications. This condition can cause up to three or four times the normal amount of sweat production. Symptoms of hyperhidrosis may include sweating profusely even when at rest or in cold weather. Hyperhidrosis can be divided into 2 types:
· Primary Hyperhidrosis
o Symptoms
These include continuous and equal sweating on both sides of the body, particularly on the hands, feet, head, face, or armpits, lasting for at least six months. Sweating episodes may occur once a week or at any time.
o Cause
The exact cause of hyperhidrosis is unknown and it is not considered a side effect of other underlying diseases. However, it is believed to have a hereditary component. It commonly affects people under the age of 25 and symptoms may worsen with concomitant factors such as physical activity, stress, and anxiety.
· Secondary Hyperhidrosis
o Symptoms
Profuse sweating can occur throughout the body, both suddenly and continuously, even during bedtime, and is often accompanied by other symptoms, such as:
§ Headache and fever
§ Nausea and weight loss
§ Shortness of breath
§ Rapid heartbeat, chest pain, or tightness
§ Depression and social withdrawal.
o Cause
It is often caused by side effects of various underlying diseases such as:
§ Hyperthyroidism causing the body to have high metabolism
§ Diabetes or hypoglycemia
§ Infectious diseases such as pulmonary tuberculosis, AIDS
§ Ischemic heart
§ Blood clots in the brain
§ Adrenal gland dysfunction
§ Lymphoma
§ Those who are obese or very obese
§ Pregnant women
§ Nearly menopausal women
§ Side effects of certain drugs such as desipramine, nortriptyline and protriptyline, etc.
Diagnosing Hyperhidrosis
If you experience abnormal sweating symptoms, such as sweating excessively during bedtime or in cold weather, it is recommended to see a doctor to determine if you have hyperhidrosis. The doctor will use the following diagnostic methods:
§ History taking and physical examination: Patients should inform their doctor about the timing and any unusual symptoms that may occur, such as skin itching, fever, unexplained weight loss, and stress.
§ If the doctor suspects that the patient has a co-factor disorder from another cause, they may perform blood tests, urine tests, and other specialized tests to determine the underlying cause of the hyperhidrosis.
Treating Hyperhidrosis
§ If the patient has a known cause of hyperhidrosis, the disease that is causing the disorder needs to be treated or the medication must be adjusted, depending on the doctor's discretion.
§ If the cause is unknown, a combination of treatments may be required, including regular showering, wearing breathable clothing, and using antiperspirant and deodorant products.
§ Anticholinergic drugs, which work against acetylcholine to reduce sweating, may be prescribed. However, there may be side effects such as dry mouth, dry eyes, dizziness, constipation, palpitations, abnormal bladder function, etc.
§ Botox injections can be used to suppress the nerves that control sweating.
§ Microwave therapy can be used to destroy the sweat glands for 20-30 minutes per session, every 3 months.
§ Iontophoresis treatment uses low-energy electric currents to deliver water or medicine directly into the skin around the sweat glands of the armpits, hands, or feet. Pregnant women, those wearing pacemakers, those with metal prostheses, and those with heart disease or epilepsy should not undergo this treatment as electric current can be dangerous. Patients may need at least 2-3 treatments to see results and it needs to be repeated monthly for continued effect.
§ Vacuum suction devices can be used to remove sweat glands in the armpits if the patient does not respond to other treatments.
§ Surgery or ganglion ablation may be necessary if other treatments fail and can involve abating the ganglion in the armpit that stimulates sweating or surgery to hijack the spinal cord that stimulates sweating in the hands.
Maintaining a regular exercise routine is essential for good health. To achieve a toned physique and improve fat-burning efficiency, it's important to choose an exercise that is appropriate for your body's metabolic mechanisms, rather than simply focusing on sweating excessively. If you experience excessive sweating, it's advisable to seek medical advice to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment.
If you are a customer of Krungthai-AXA Life Insurance and have an interest in healthcare, you can explore additional health-related articles at:
https://www.krungthai-axa.co.th/th/health-advisories.
References
· Siriraj Piyamaharajkarun Hospital
https://www.siphhospital.com/th/news/article/share/perspire
· Samitivej Hospital
http://bit.ly/3lRbHfY
· Phyathai Hospital
· Pobpad website
http://bit.ly/3KwGNUo
http://bit.ly/3EtukgI
