Everyone sweats when it’s hot or when they indulge in extreme physical activities. However, some individuals sweat even when their body is relaxed, and this could be a problem. Sweat is a common factor, and sweating is considered healthy during physical activities. But when it interferes with everyday activities and makes someone conscious and insecure, it should be addressed. Here are five reasons why someone could be experiencing heavy sweating.

1. Genetics
One of the leading causes of excessive sweating that people cannot control is genetics. There are specific genes that control the sweat glands. Abnormalities or polymorphisms in these genes can activate the sweat glands and lead to sweating in normal circumstances. This cannot be cured, and the condition has to be managed with medications and topical solutions. This type of genetic inheritance is called primary hyperhidrosis. Other controllable reasons are grouped under secondary hyperhidrosis.

2. Obesity
Fats in the body play an important role in thermal insulation. It keeps the body warm when the outside temperature dips. However, this becomes a problem with people who are overweight. When someone has excessive body weight and fat deposits, the body remains warm, and during summers, this causes overheating and resultant heavy sweating.   The more the fat deposits, the more the person is going to sweat.

3. Diabetes
People with diabetes have fluctuating blood sugar levels. When the blood sugar levels are low (hypoglycemia), the body panics and goes into a fight-flight mode. As a result, the body starts sweating excessively. This can be prevented if the person regulates blood sugar levels and keeps them from going very low.

4. Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is a condition where the body’s thyroid levels go high. The thyroid hormone works continuously to control the body’s temperature center. It helps the body identify heat and be sensitive to the changes. With high thyroid levels, the body gets over-sensitive and gets very warm all the time. This can lead to heavy sweating all through the day, even when the climate is pleasant. People with hyperthyroidism need to bring down their thyroid levels with medications and lifestyle changes to deal with excessive sweating. Thankfully, when the levels are in control, the problem disappears.

5. Substance abuse
Heavy sweating is one of the common side effects of substance abuse. When a person consumes, inhales, or injects foreign substances, the body experiences a quick increase in temperature. As a result, the body’s heating center gets activated, and the body counteracts this by sweating and bringing down the temperature. It is to be noted that in the case of substance abuse, excessive sweating is accompanied by other symptoms like chills, anxiety, and paranoia.

Make a note of the reasons for heavy sweating,   and talk to a doctor to understand why one’s body is reacting a certain way. Note that apart from these, there could be several other reasons that trigger the sweat glands and lead to excessive sweating.