Profuse Sweating In The Head/neck
Diabetes Forum The Global Diabetes Community Find support, ask questions and share your experiences. Join the community HAVE JUST BEEN DIAGNOSED TYPE 2 AND PUT ON THREE MONTHS DIET ONLY. I AM SUFFERING TERRIBLY WITH PROFUSE SWEATING IN THE HEAD AND NECK - IS THIS NORMAL? WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM ANYONE ELSE WHO IS HAVING OR HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM AND HOW THEY WERE TREATED FOR IT. Have you been given a meter to test your levels? I get sweating when my levels are high and it can also be a sign for some that their levels are too low. Here is a link to some information written for the newly diagnosed that you may find helpful Please come back and ask any questions you may have. There is normally someone who can answer Many thanks for your reply. No they have not given me a meter to test levels yet. I had a HbA1c test on Tuesday but have not heard back from GP yet. When diagnosed my levels were high but the sweating came on this morning before I had eaten - having last eaten at 6.30 last night. Have been laying off the sugar since diagnosed three weeks ago. I feel the GP seems to take it all so lightly whereas I feel I am suffering really badly to the point of desperation! After reading your post, without sounding cheeky? Could it be menapausal symptoms? As I sweated terribly behing hair head and neck with mine! Also sweat with high BS and cooking up infections too. Best to vist your GP and push these symptoms,ask to be taken seriously and for them to be possibly investigated too. Sometimes you do have to be persistent when it comes to your health with the HCP to get the corrrect and right results. Thanks Anna for your post. Dont think it can be menopause at my age - 72 - more likely high BS which I hope can be sorted with the result of the recent blood test. You're right abou Continue reading >>
10 Warning Signs Of Low Blood Sugar
Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is common among people with diabetes and can occur even when you're carefully managing the condition. "Hypoglycemia happens when the amount of blood glucose (sugar in the blood) drops to a level that's too low to sustain normal functioning," says Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDE, author of 2 Day Diabetes Diet. "In most people, this is defined as a blood-sugar level below 70 milligrams per deciliter." A review published in June 2015 in the journal PLoS One found that among people with type 2 diabetes, this is a far too common occurrence. Individuals with the condition had an average of 19 mild episodes of hypoglycemia per year, and nearly one severe episode per year on average. Low blood sugar was particularly common among those taking insulin. This decrease in blood sugar levels can cause both short-term complications, like confusion and dizziness, as well as more serious, long-term complications. Left untreated, it can lead to a coma and even death. To prevent hypoglycemia and its dangerous side effects, it's crucial to monitor your glucose levels and treat low blood sugar as soon as you become aware of it. Pay attention to these telltale signs of dipping blood sugar levels to make sure yours stays under control: 1. Ravenous Hunger If you've already eaten but still aren't satisfied, or if you suddenly, inexplicably feel as if you're starving, your body is signaling that it needs more glucose. Work with your healthcare team to determine the exact amount of sugar your body needs. A good starting point is the American Diabetes Association's recommendation to eat between 15 and 20 grams (g) of sugar or carbohydrates with each snack, and between 40 and 65 g at each meal. Some good options include 2 tablespoons of raisins, 4 ounces of fruit juice Continue reading >>
Excessive Sweating And Diabetes
Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition in which a person sweats excessively and unpredictably. People with hyperhidrosis can sweat even when the temperature is cool, and when they are at rest. Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) in the palms, soles, and armpits (axillae) is not only embarrassing, but can also be a sign of an underlying disease. Before dismissing excessive sweating as simply being due to emotions or social situations, it is important to rule out other possible causes. Hyperhidrosis can be caused by dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Sweating is controlled through the opposing actions of the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the ANS. If the sympathetic system (“fight or flight” system) is overly stimulated, for instance, excessive sweating will occur. This cause of hyperhidrosis can now be easily treated with a simple outpatient surgical procedure. The most common diseases to cause excessive sweating are diabetes and hyperthyroidism. Diabetes mellitus is a disease of poor glucose (sugar) control. Over time, diabetes disrupts the proper function of the ANS. Diabetes is also associated with obesity, which itself can cause excessive sweating. An easy way to find out if you have diabetes is to have your blood glucose (sugar) checked by your primary doctor with a simple blood test. The thyroid gland, which is located in the neck, produces important hormones in response to signals in the brain. These hormones act by either increasing or decreasing the body’s metabolic rate. Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid is overactive and secretes more hormone than in the usual resting state. This stimulates a faster metabolic rate in the body, producing increased sweating, nervousness, heart palpitations and weight loss. If you are experi Continue reading >>
Diabetes And Abnormal Sweating: What Is The Connection?
Many people with diabetes will experience times when they sweat too much, too little, or at odd times. Diabetes-related nervous system damage and low blood sugars cause these commonly experienced sweating conditions in people with diabetes. Sweating complications can be a sign of poor diabetes management. Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels is crucial to both prevention and treatment. Contents of this article: Diabetes and sweating problems People sweat for a variety of reasons. Some of these reasons are normal and some are not. Sweating is a natural response to physical and emotional stress. But excessive sweating, when the reason is unclear, is often a sign that something is not right. Some people with sweating conditions will sweat even on a cold day or during minimal activity. Low blood sugar levels and diabetes-related nervous system damage cause the most commonly experienced sweating conditions in people with diabetes. Extremely low blood sugars cause a fight-or-flight response, triggering the release of hormones that increase sweating. When blood sugar levels are too high for too long, a loss of nerve function can occur. This condition is known as diabetic neuropathy. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) claim that around half of people with diabetes experience some form of neuropathy. If the nerves that control the sweat glands are damaged, they may send the wrong message to sweat glands, or none at all. In most cases, neuropathies cause either excessive sweating or an inability to sweat. Sweating caused by hypoglycemia Hypoglycemia is a term to describe abnormally low blood sugar levels. For most adults, blood glucose levels below 70 milligrams per deciliter are considered hypoglycemic. Individual targets can vary, however. Many diabetes management medica Continue reading >>
7 Causes Of Excessive Perspiration In People With Diabetes
Unless the weather is sweltering or you’re having hot flashes, excessive sweating is most likely an indication of a greater health issue. Ask yourself: Do you have a fever or other signs of an infection? Are you in any pain when you sweat? Is the sweating mainly on one side? Does it involve your palms, soles, and/or armpits? Do you sweat while you sleep? Is your blood glucose level high (or low) during these sweating episodes? Could sweating be a reaction to your diabetes medication? If the answer is yes to any of these questions, talk to your healthcare provider. What are the possible causes of excessive sweating? For people with diabetes, certain complications can affect the sweat glands, making it difficult for the body to cool down in hot weather, triggering heavy sweating even during light activities, or causing sweating in cool temperatures. 1. Autonomic neuropathy. This is a condition in which hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) interferes with the nerves that control involuntary functions. The autonomic nervous system manages several systems automatically, including bladder control, heart rate, the ability to detect hypoglycemia, and the ability to sweat appropriately. Dry feet are a common symptom of nerve disease, so it is important to inspect your feet daily to be sure there are no cracks from excessive dryness, a condition that tends to occur along with sweating. 2. Low blood glucose levels. A low blood glucose level is called hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia triggers a fight-or-flight response in the body. As a result, the body produces additional norepinephrine and adrenaline, which can lead to heavy sweating as well as shakiness and anxiety. Good diabetes management can help keep your blood glucose levels in check. 3. Heart problems. People with diabetes have Continue reading >>
Hypoglycemia Symptoms
Why a Short List Is Not Enough Hypoglycemia is a common side effect of using insulin, and it can also occur in people who take pills that cause the pancreas to release more insulin. Pills that have this effect include the oral drugs chlorpropamide (brand name Diabinese), tolazamide (Tolinase), tolbutamide (Orinase), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase, and Micronase), glipizide (Glucotrol, Glucotrol XL), glimepiride (Amaryl), combination drugs that contain glyburide, glipizide, or glimepiride (such as Glucovance, Metaglip, Avandaryl, and Duetact), repaglinide (Prandin), combination drugs that contain repaglinide (Prandimet), and nateglinide (Starlix). It is therefore important that anyone who uses one of these drugs know what causes hypoglycemia, how to prevent it, how to recognize it, and how to treat it. Often, however, the most education a person receives on the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia is a handout listing its 10 most common symptoms. This is particularly true for adults. But, as any longtime user of insulin will tell you, such a list does not go far enough in describing how those common symptoms can feel, and it misses some important, albeit not-so-common, symptoms of hypoglycemia. This article attempts to fill in some of the blanks by describing what those common symptoms really feel like — in a variety of situations, including driving and sleeping — and by describing some less common symptoms. Once you (and your friends, coworkers, and family members) are better equipped to recognize hypoglycemia, you will be able treat low blood glucose faster and avert more severe hypoglycemia and its sometimes serious consequences. What is hypoglycemia Low blood glucose, or hypoglycemia, is a condition in which the brain does not have enough glucose to carry out its many Continue reading >>
Diabetes: Is Sweating Normal?
Diabetes and Excessive Sweating While many people can experience difficulties with sweating, it can also be an issue for people with diabetes. There are three main types of sweating that you may experience. They are: hyperhidrosis: excessive sweating not caused by temperature or exercise gustatory sweating: caused by food and limited to face and neck areas night sweats: caused by low blood glucose during the night Each of these have different types of treatments. Your doctor can recommend the best treatment to help relieve or stop your excessive sweating. However, since sweating can be a sign of other more serious conditions, you should always talk to your doctor if you experience this type of sweating. Hyperhidrosis Hyperhidrosis is the term for excessive sweating. This is sweating that is not from exercising or the temperature. This can occur when your blood glucose gets too low (hypoglycemia). It will trigger a fight or flight response from your body. You produce excess adrenaline and norepinephrine, which cause excess sweating. Once your blood sugar returns to normal, the sweating should stop. If, along with sweating, you have bladder control problems or an unusual heart rate, it could indicate autonomic neuropathy. This is caused by damage to the nerves that control functions like the bladder, blood pressure, and sweating. Excessive sweating can also occur with obesity. Obesity often accompanies diabetes. However, these are not the only ways diabetes and excessive sweating can be connected. Gustatory Sweating Gustatory sweating is different than hyperhidrosis. It is also not unique to people with diabetes. However, people with diabetic autonomic neuropathy are more likely to experience this than those without nerve damage. Luckily, it is easy to identify. If you br Continue reading >>
Excessive Sweating
If heavy sweating has no underlying medical cause, it's called primary hyperhidrosis. This type occurs when the nerves responsible for triggering your sweat glands become overactive and call for more perspiration even when it's not needed. Primary hyperhidrosis may be at least partially hereditary. If the sweating can be attributed to an underlying medical condition, it's called secondary hyperhidrosis. Health conditions that may cause excessive sweating include: Diabetes Fever of undetermined cause HIV/AIDS Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) Medication side effects, such as sometimes experienced when taking some beta blockers and antidepressants Gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining) Stress Continue reading >>
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes occurs mostly in people aged over 40 years. However, an increasing number of younger people, even children, are being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The first-line treatment is diet, weight control and physical activity. If the blood sugar (glucose) level remains high despite these measures then tablets to reduce the blood glucose level are usually advised. Insulin injections are needed in some cases. Other treatments include reducing blood pressure if it is high, lowering high cholesterol levels and also using other measures to reduce the risk of complications. Although diabetes cannot be cured, it can be treated successfully. If a high blood sugar level is brought down to a normal level, your symptoms will ease. You still have some risk of complications in the long term if your blood glucose level remains even mildly high - even if you have no symptoms in the short term. However, studies have shown that people who have better glucose control have fewer complications (such as heart disease or eye problems) compared with those people who have poorer control of their glucose level. Therefore, the main aims of treatment are: To keep your blood glucose level as near normal as possible. To reduce any other risk factors that may increase your risk of developing complications. In particular, to lower your blood pressure if it is high and to keep your blood lipids (cholesterol) low. To detect any complications as early as possible. Treatment can prevent or delay some complications from becoming worse. Type 2 diabetes is usually initially treated by following a healthy diet, losing weight if you are overweight, and having regular physical activity. If lifestyle advice does not control your blood sugar (glucose) levels then medicines are used to help lower your Continue reading >>
Sweating In Diabetes
It was hot in the Peruvian rainforest – over 40°C. We walked for hours looking for wildlife. That evening my clothes were wringing wet with sweat – and the macaws had eaten my soap. Sweating cools our bodies. Adrenaline release causes sweating too. Most sweat is excreted from eccrine glands throughout the skin, especially on the palms, soles, and head. Sweat contains mainly water and sodium chloride, with potassium, bicarbonate, and trace components including glucose. Most of the sodium chloride is reabsorbed. Apocrine sweat glands, mainly in the axillae and anogenital area, excrete sweat containing lipids, proteins and steroids, mixed with sebum. Sweat is odourless but the action of skin bacteria makes it smell, particularly the oily apocrine sweat which may act as a pheromone. Cystic fibrosis Cystic fibrosis affects over 10 000 people in the UK and is recessively inherited. Accumulated thick, sticky mucus impairs lung function and invites infection, causes malabsorption by impairing pancreatic digestive enzyme release, and leads to liver disease. About a third of people with cystic fibrosis develop diabetes. The median survival of 40 years in cystic fibrosis is reduced by having diabetes.1 Cystic fibrosis increases chloride excretion in sweat – so diagnosis is by sweat testing.2 Increased sweating in diabetes Hypoglycaemia Sweating is a cardinal symptom of hypoglycaemia, due to adrenaline release as part of the counter-regulatory hormonal response to the low glucose. It is an autonomic symptom mediated by cholinergic sympathetic nerve fibres.3 A meta-analysis found that 47–84% of people with diabetes experienced sweating when they were hypoglycaemic.4 People with diabetes should learn their own early warning symptoms of hypoglycaemia. Gustatory sweating ‘I Continue reading >>
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Is Your Excessive Sweating Caused By A Medical Problem?
Do you sweat more than other people? Does a five-minute workout on the treadmill leave you sopping wet? Do you wipe your hand before every handshake? At the very least, excessive sweating is a hassle. But sometimes heavy sweating is sign of a medical condition. "It's not always easy for the average person to know the difference," says Benjamin Barankin, MD, a dermatologist in Toronto and a member of the American Academy of Dermatology. Excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, can be a warning sign of thyroid problems, diabetes or infection. Excessive sweating is also more common in people who are overweight or out of shape. The good news is that most cases of excessive sweating are harmless. If you are worried about how much you sweat, here's information to help you decide if you should see a doctor for a medical diagnosis. What Is Excessive Sweating? If you just sweat more than other people when it's hot or you're exerting yourself, that's not usually a sign of trouble. Sweating is a normal reaction when your body's working harder and needs to cool itself down. "There are natural variations in how people sweat, just as there are variations in other bodily functions," says Dee Anna Glaser, MD, vice chair of the dermatology department at St. Louis University and president of the International Hyperhidrosis Society. "Some people start sweating more easily than others." True excessive sweating goes beyond the normal physical need to sweat. If you have hyperhidrosis, you may sweat heavily for no reason -- when it's not appropriate to the circumstances. "Let's say that the temperature is mild, and you're not anxious, and you don't have a fever, and you're just watching a movie with your family," says Glaser. "If you're sitting there sweating profusely, that's not normal." Baran Continue reading >>
Why Diabetes Makes You Sweat Excessively
Excessive sweating is a common concern of diabetics, especially the patients of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar). According to American Diabetes Association, diabetics have several bouts of excessive sweating no matter how well you are managing your diabetes. Excessive sweating is more common in diabetics who are overweight. Nerve Damage – The progression of diabetes over time can damage the autonomic nervous system. It is quite rare but it may impact heart rate, blood pressure, perspiration and digestion. Owing to this, diabetes is often regarded as the causes for autonomic neuropathy. In most cases, nerve damage causes pain while in other cases the body functions get interrupted. Fluctuations in Blood Sugar Levels – Despite administration of diabetes, a patient could have blood sugar fluctuations from high to low and low to high. Disorder Treatments –The conditions such as hypoglycaemia should be treated as soon as identified. Any delay in treatment for medical conditions such as nerve damage could make blood glucose levels go out of control. Treatments for hypoglycaemia or autonomic neuropathy may result in complications such as excessive sweating. When to Seek Help for Excessive Sweating Frequent Night Sweats – When you are having have trouble sleeping due to cold sweat in night too often. Generalized sweating – When sweating does not confine to head, face, underarms and groin, but wholethe body. Asymmetrical sweating – Unusual sweating such as sweating in one armpit is another indication which indicates the need to seek help. Change in sweating pattern – Sudden sweating or infrequent sweating, which may be due to some specific food. Treatment for Excessive Sweating Antiperspirants – Available in the form of over-the-counter or prescription sprays and Continue reading >>
5 Reasons For Heavy Sweating With Diabetes
Whether you are sitting in a stuffy room or working out at the gym, excessive sweating can be noticeably uncomfortable. People with diabetes can be prone to excessive sweating, which can also lead to dehydration and other health complications. Discover 5 reasons for heavy sweating with diabetes and what you can do about them. 1. Blood Glucose Levels Heavy sweating is often linked to low blood glucose levels known as hypoglycemia. When blood glucose levels plummet, it triggers a “fight or flight “response from your body. As a result, your body produces additional norepinephrine and adrenaline. This can lead to heavy sweating as well as shakiness and anxiety. It is important to get your blood sugar back to normal as soon as possible to alleviate this sweating. Keep glucose tablets, a few pieces of hard candy or a can of regular soda handy to increase your blood sugar levels quickly. Try to maintain better blood sugar control by taking medications and insulin as directed, eating regular meals and snacks and exercising daily. Use a blood sugar monitor to gauge your glucose levels. 2. Hyperthyroidism Another reason for heavy sweating is hyperthyroidism, a metabolic condition that people with diabetes may be prone to. The thyroid gland, which is located in your neck, produces key hormones in response to signals sent by your brain. These hormones work to increase or decrease your metabolic rate. When the thyroid gland is overactive, it is referred to as hyperthyroidism. More hormones are secreted than usual, which boosts your metabolic rate. This can cause heavy sweating, weight loss, hair loss, heart palpitations, dry eyes, tremors and nervousness. Some people might also have difficulty breathing or swallowing. Treatments may include medication, radioactive iodine and in Continue reading >>
Diabetes & Sweating Issues
Diabetes is a chronic disease resulting from the inability of the body to correctly regulate the levels of glucose in the blood, or blood sugar levels. People with diabetes may experience symptoms in almost any organ of the body, because blood flows through the entire body. Symptoms of diabetes include various issues concerning sweating and heat regulation. Video of the Day Although diabetes is a disease caused by high levels of blood sugar, called hyperglycemia, patients with diabetes occasionally experience the opposite problem of low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia. Low blood sugar in diabetic patients is most often caused by medicines used to treat high blood sugar, but sometimes they work too well and cause blood sugar to drop to unhealthy levels. When people with diabetes experience a dip in blood sugar, the body releases epinephrine, also called adrenaline, in an attempt to raise blood sugar. In addition to the symptoms of shakiness and anxiety, epinephrine also causes the body to start sweating profusely, the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse explains. Inability to Sweat One frequent effect of diabetes is damage to the nerves connecting the brain to the rest of the body, which is called diabetic neuropathy. If the nerves that control sweat glands are damaged, they may not be able to activate the sweat glands and produce sweat. This inability to sweat is called anhidrosis. One study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings found that 94 percent of patients with diabetic neuropathy had abnormalities in sweating. People who cannot sweat often have trouble regulating their body temperature, because sweat helps the body to cool down. As a result, diabetic patients with anhidrosis may easily become overheated in warm temperatures or after physical exertion. Some pa Continue reading >>
Type 2 Diabetes Complications
With type 2 diabetes (also called type 2 diabetes mellitus), if you don’t work hard to keep your blood glucose level under control, there are short- and long-term complications to contend with. However, by watching the amount and types of food you eat (your meal plan), exercising, and taking any necessary medications, you may be able to prevent these complications. And even if you have some of the long-term, more serious complications discussed below when you’re first diagnosed, getting tight control of your blood glucose will help prevent the complications from becoming worse. (It is possible with type 2 diabetes to already have some of these complications when you’re first diagnosed. That’s because type 2 develops gradually, and you may not realize that you have high blood glucose for quite some time. Over time, high blood glucose can cause serious damage. You can learn more about that in this article on the symptoms of type 2 diabetes.) Short-term Diabetes Complications Hypoglycemia is low blood glucose (blood sugar). It is possible for your blood glucose to drop, especially if you’re taking insulin or a sulfonylurea drug (those make your body produce insulin throughout the day). With these medications, if you eat less than usual or were more active, your blood glucose may dip too much. Other possible causes of hypoglycemia include certain medications (aspirin, for example, lowers the blood glucose level if you take a dose of more than 81mg) and too much alcohol (alcohol keeps the liver from releasing glucose). Rapid heartbeat Sweating Whiteness of skin Anxiety Numbness in fingers, toes, and lips Sleepiness Confusion Headache Slurred speech Mild cases of hypoglycemia can be treated by drinking orange juice or eating a glucose tablet—those will quickly rai Continue reading >>
