Sweating is often
seen as an annoyance, especially as the weather is warming up, and a short walk
to our car will have us relentlessly wiping the moisture off our skin.
اضافة اعلان
Despite being sometimes unsightly, sweating is
important for us, especially during exercise.
Why do we sweat?
Our body maintains a certain
body temperature between 36.1–37.2oC. Going above
or below this range can result in hyperthermia or hypothermia, respectively.
Hyperthermia is the result of thermoregulation
failure, which is not to be confused with a fever. A fever occurs when our body
temperature rises due to some infection or other disturbance in the body.
There are two ways the body cools down and remains
in a healthy temperature range: Vasodilation and sweating.
Vasodilation is when the
blood vessels under the
skin widen and blood flow to the skin increases, allowing warm blood to leave
the inner body and radiate heat externally. Unfortunately, if the temperature
outside is very warm, this may not be a very effective measure.
Sweating is likely the most important and most
effective thermoregulatory mechanism we possess. As we begin warming up, our
skin’s pores widen, and sweat glands start to secrete salty water. As the sweat
begins to dry and evaporate, heat is carried off with it and the body, in turn,
cools down.
If an individual is incapable of sweating, they can
be at high risk for hyperthermia.
Why do we sweat as much as we do?
There are many causes of
sweating, and not all are due to hyperthermia. Sweating is common for those
experiencing a fever because the body is intentionally raising the temperature
to help fight infection or an underlying condition causing dysregulation of
temperature.
Certain substances can also increase body
temperature and induce sweating. But the more common causes of sweating are
high environmental temperatures and physical activity.
In terms of
physical activity, men generally tend to
sweat more than women, and younger people tend to sweat more than older people.
Body mass, genetics, and humidity levels affect how much we sweat. Movement
intensity, fitness level, and environment in which we work out are even greater
factors in how much we sweat.
Note that the more we exercise in a warmer
temperature, the greater our endurance and the more efficient our body is at
regulating body temperature.
Benefits of sweating
The ability to efficiently
regulate our body temperature is the top benefit. Through sweating, we can
build endurance and sustain physical activity at a moderate to high intensity
for longer periods.
Sweating can also help prevent a serious condition
known as heat stroke, a potentially life-threatening condition where the body
rapidly increases in temperature. Sweating can be a decent self-indicator of
exercise intensity level. During cardio, many will use sweating as a positive
indication that they are exerting enough energy.
Although sweat is made up mostly of water, there are
many other components contained within it, and as we sweat, we lose water from
within the body which can increase the concentration of certain chemicals such
as salts (commonly referred to as electrolytes), ammonia, and urea.
To balance the concentration inside the body, we
secrete these chemicals alongside the water lost.
Heavy metals, such as cadmium, lead, and aluminum,
are normal in trace amounts within the human body. We accumulate them from the
environment, pollution, and food. However, at high levels, these heavy metals
can become toxic. A 2010 study assessed the amount of heavy metal excreted in
sweat and urine and found that sweat can excrete many trace heavy metals but
was more effective at eliminating cadmium, lead, and aluminum than urination.
A separate study conducted in 2016 found that those
who exercised regularly had lower levels of most heavy metals.
Elimination of other toxic chemicals such as
bisphenol A (BPA) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) is another benefit. BPA
and PCB are man-made chemicals that have been shown to have adverse health
effects on the human body.
Concerns of sweating
Sweating is a normal human
body function and does not carry many risks. The only potential concerns are
the cause of sweating and the quantity.
During physical activity or being in a hot
environment, sweating is perfectly normal. If you are at rest and in a cool
environment and sweating excessively, then there may be an underlying issue
such as hyperhidrosis.
There are two major forms of hyperhidrosis: primary
and secondary. Primary hyperhidrosis simply means that there is no underlying
condition causing excessive sweating. It is an inherited condition that often
begins in childhood and manifests as excessive sweating of the hands, feet,
underarms, face, and head.
On the other hand, secondary hyperhidrosis is more
concerning since there is an underlying cause for sweating. This often begins
in adulthood and can affect the entire body or certain areas. Secondary
hyperhidrosis is commonly caused by diabetes or low blood sugar, conditions
relating to the thyroid, menopause, nervous system disorders, or gout.
In secondary hyperhidrosis, treating the underlying
condition is important to stop the sweating.
Dehydration is another risk, as when there is not
enough water in the body, it could be potentially life-threatening. And one of
the most common causes of high water loss is sweating, followed by poor water
intake. As a result, it is important to ensure that you remain adequately
hydrated before, during, and after workouts.
Since normal electrolytes are also lost during
sweating, it is important to ensure you receive the appropriate amount through
your diet to replenish. Various sports drinks contain electrolytes that can
help replace what is lost. Just be sure not to exceed the recommended amount,
as an imbalance can result in adverse effects.
Not sweating can be potentially just as dangerous as you can
no longer efficiently regulate your body temperature, which can indicate
dehydration.
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