Is excessive sweating a symptom of diabetes?

Written by Yang Li
Endocrinology
Updated on September 23, 2024
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Diabetes typically presents with symptoms of polydipsia, polyuria, polyphagia, and weight loss, commonly known as the "three excesses and one deficiency." However, diabetic patients often have accompanying autonomic dysfunctions or peripheral neuropathy, which can also lead to excessive sweating. Clinically, it is observed that some patients might sweat excessively in specific areas. For instance, some might report excessive forehead sweating or localized sweating on certain body parts, or even unilateral sweating. In such cases, it is necessary to consider whether the symptoms might be a complication of diabetes. To diagnose this, one should firstly conduct diagnostic tests for diabetes, such as the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), to determine if the blood glucose levels meet the diagnostic criteria for diabetes. Additionally, it is important to perform electromyography to check for any neuropathic complications that might affect nerve conduction velocities. This helps in determining whether excessive sweating is a specific symptom of diabetes. However, not all cases of hyperhidrosis are specific to diabetes; other conditions, such as hyperthyroidism (thyrotoxicosis), can also cause excessive sweating and should be considered.

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Written by Qu Jing
Dermatology
1min 33sec home-news-image

What causes hyperhidrosis?

Hyperhidrosis refers to abnormal excessive sweating either locally or over the entire skin surface that occurs under normal living conditions or circumstances. In Western medicine, hyperhidrosis is primarily attributed to psychological factors, hemiplegia, concussion, and other causes of autonomic nervous damage or dysfunction, as well as some endocrine disorders, such as hyperthyroidism and diabetes. Sometimes, it can also be a symptom accompanying other diseases. The occurrence of hyperhidrosis is linked to an increase in sympathetic nerve impulses that enhance the excitement of sweat glands, leading to excessive sweating. It can also be due to increased nervous tension in the sweat glands, which intensifies the sweating response. Furthermore, excessive sweating can occur with the extensive use of corticosteroids, and it can be categorized into localized sweating and generalized sweating. According to traditional Chinese medicine, there are two types of excessive sweating: spontaneous sweating and night sweating. Spontaneous sweating entails sweating during the day without much physical activity, which worsens with exercise and is associated with qi deficiency. Night sweating occurs during the night and is accompanied by symptoms such as warmth in the palms and soles and irritability, indicating yin deficiency.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
49sec home-news-image

The difference between hyperhidrosis and bromhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis is generally a disease caused by one's own endocrine imbalance or hormonal levels. The most characteristic symptom of this disease is increased sweating, such as excessive sweating from the armpits, groin, or palms, especially after exercise or staying up late, but there is no abnormal odor. Bromhidrosis is a type of hereditary disease, characterized by excessive sweating from both armpits and a strong odor, which can start showing symptoms from puberty. Bromhidrosis cannot be completely eradicated, while hyperhidrosis can be cured through proper medical treatment. The most common treatment for bromhidrosis is surgical removal of the large sweat glands, which can reduce or alleviate the odor, but cannot eradicate it completely.

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Written by Yang Li
Endocrinology
1min 30sec home-news-image

Is excessive sweating a symptom of diabetes?

Diabetes typically presents with symptoms of polydipsia, polyuria, polyphagia, and weight loss, commonly known as the "three excesses and one deficiency." However, diabetic patients often have accompanying autonomic dysfunctions or peripheral neuropathy, which can also lead to excessive sweating. Clinically, it is observed that some patients might sweat excessively in specific areas. For instance, some might report excessive forehead sweating or localized sweating on certain body parts, or even unilateral sweating. In such cases, it is necessary to consider whether the symptoms might be a complication of diabetes. To diagnose this, one should firstly conduct diagnostic tests for diabetes, such as the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), to determine if the blood glucose levels meet the diagnostic criteria for diabetes. Additionally, it is important to perform electromyography to check for any neuropathic complications that might affect nerve conduction velocities. This helps in determining whether excessive sweating is a specific symptom of diabetes. However, not all cases of hyperhidrosis are specific to diabetes; other conditions, such as hyperthyroidism (thyrotoxicosis), can also cause excessive sweating and should be considered.

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Written by Qiu Xin Hui
Traditional Chinese Medicine
54sec home-news-image

What department should I go to for excessive sweating?

Excessive sweating can occur for many reasons in traditional Chinese medicine, such as disharmony between ying and wei, deficiency in both qi and blood, and hyperactivity of fire due to yin deficiency, among other conditions. It is advisable to visit a hospital and see a traditional Chinese medicine doctor for a direct diagnosis. The doctor will diagnose using the four diagnostic methods: observation, listening and smelling, questioning, and pulse-taking, and then treat the patient by differentiating the syndrome to select the appropriate medications for adjustment. Excessive sweating is a common issue and requires special attention to diet in daily life. It's recommended to eat a light diet and avoid spicy, dry, irritating, and heat-inducing foods. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Xia Min
Traditional Chinese Medicine
55sec home-news-image

What Chinese medicine is good for excessive sweating?

In clinical settings, hyperhidrosis is often divided into two types: spontaneous sweating and night sweating. Spontaneous sweating is mainly caused by qi deficiency, and commonly treated with Astragalus, Cypress, and Fangfeng to address the excessive sweating due to qi deficiency. On the other hand, night sweating is primarily due to yin deficiency. For yin deficiency-induced hyperhidrosis, medicines that nourish yin such as Rehmannia glutinosa, Cornus officinalis, and Chinese yam are used. Additionally, other yin-nourishing medicines like Asparagus Tuber, Ophiopogon Japonicus, and Dendrobium can also be employed. (Medicines should be taken under the guidance of a physician and based on actual conditions.)