What Causes Excessive Sweating?

Lung Disease

Lung disease can sometimes cause excessive sweating, though it depends widely on the type of illness. Some forms of pneumonia can cause fevers as high as 105 degrees Fahrenheit, which leads to profuse sweating. A fever over 103 degrees Fahrenheit is considered high, and a fever of 105 degrees Fahrenheit is close to a medical emergency. If the body gets too hot, it can damage internal organs, including the brain. Lung disease is a term used to describe any disease affecting the lungs.

Though anyone can develop lung disease, it is a larger concern for women, as more women in the United States have been diagnosed with lung disease each year than men. Women also have a higher likelihood of dying from lung disease. Some lung diseases are caused or exacerbated by outside factors such as smoking, though others might be due to certain genetic predispositions. A common lung disease is asthma, which occurs when inflammation of the airways makes it difficult to breathe. If lung disease patients experience excessive sweating, they should talk to a doctor to find out whether the two are linked.

Obesity

Obesity can increase an individual's risk of excessive sweating due to a few factors. One factor is that there's a greater amount of physical exertion on the body when an individual is carrying extra weight. They burn more calories when they move than a thinner person because their muscles need to work harder. This can lead to the body's internal temperature rising, and the sweat glands releasing sweat to help cool off. Another factor is the body holds in more heat when individuals have extra fat cells.

Layers of fat exist to be a genetic advantage in colder climates. In fact, some Olympic swimmers have large amounts of fat stored in their bodies, which helps them stay warm when swimming in cold water. Obesity doesn't always cause serious health repercussions. However, if individuals don't have enough muscle to support the weight of their body, they're more likely to struggle with physical exertion and sweating.