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 Yan Xin Liang
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Why does rickets cause excessive sweating?

Rickets, also known as Vitamin D deficiency rickets, is a chronic systemic nutritional disease characterized by bone lesions caused by insufficient Vitamin D in infants, children, or adolescents, leading to disturbances in calcium and phosphorus metabolism. The main features of this disease are incomplete calcification of the long bone epiphyses, cartilage plates, and bone tissue due to Vitamin D deficiency, resulting in incomplete osteogenic calcification. This disease is generally seen in infants under two years of age, particularly common in infants aged 3-18 months. Due to the lack of Vitamin D, the disease can present symptoms such as excessive night sweating, irritability, restlessness, crying, and cradle cap. Therefore, the excessive sweating associated with this disease is mainly caused by a deficiency in Vitamin D.

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Written by Zhang Shu Kun
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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Excessive sweating is commonly seen in which diseases?

In cases of excessive sweating, it is often seen in individuals with kidney deficiency, physical weakness, or excessive dampness. It may also be due to malnutrition, such as calcium deficiency or lack of trace elements, which can all lead to this symptom. Therefore, it is advisable to manage your diet by including eggs, lean meat, shrimp, as well as fruits like apples, bananas, and grapefruits. These foods help increase the body's calcium and contain trace elements, which can lead to significant improvements. Additionally, ensure adequate sleep, avoid overworking, and do not stay up late.

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Written by Xia Min
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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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.)

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
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What is the condition of having a fever and sweating excessively?

Typically, fever and excessive sweating in the body often result from the presence of some infectious factors, commonly involving respiratory infections or post-surgical infections. It is also possible for some immune system disorders to cause these symptoms. Therefore, patients usually experience fever and excessive sweating in such cases. Once the cause is identified and appropriate symptomatic treatment is provided, the symptoms of fever and excessive sweating will improve when the inflammatory condition is controlled. Additionally, many non-infectious factors can cause fever, especially in women during their menstrual period or after intense exercise, which can lead to an increase in the body's heat production, resulting in feelings of heat and profuse sweating.

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Written by Liu Gang
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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.