Sweating following intense exercise is perfectly normal. You are also getting drenched with sweat after a long time out in the heat and humidity of a day. You’ve probably been sweating even when you’re not getting comfortable.
Cold sweats may occur when you’re feeling nauseous or anxious. It could indicate the presence of a severe health issue.
All people sweat; however, some are more sweaty than others. The body is covered with sweat glands, and sweating is your natural reaction to control temperature and eliminate toxins. It typically occurs as a response to stress or heat.
The sweating you do when you’re hot can help the body cool off. The cooling effect is triggered as sweat evaporates off the skin, which removes heat from your body. It is also a typical stress reaction. In response to stress, the body’s “fight or flight” mode could cause a release of adrenaline which results in sweating.
“When we speak of cold sweats, many people realize that this is a distinct occurrence in comparison to normal sweating caused by the heat or exercise,” says Frank Contacessa, MD, an internal medicine doctor for MDVIP in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. “Its causes can vary from benign to dangerous.”
He states that many factors cause cold sweats, including anxiety or hormone fluctuations, pain or low blood sugar, or even infections.
On the other hand, cold sweats could indicate an illness, such as cancer, particularly if you’re sweating in the evening. Sudden sweating could indicate heart disease—the initial symptoms of a heart attack.
What is the purpose of cold sweats? Why do they occur, and when do you need to be concerned? We asked medical professionals to explain.
What Are Cold Sweats?
The body’s sweat glands play a vital function. It’s the primary way that our body manages temperature. When salt, water, and other minerals and toxins escape from sweat glands, they are evaporated off the skin’s surface, which helps cool the body. If you weren’t sweating, the body would heat up, and you could be dead. This is why sweating is so vital!
Sweating may occur even if you’re not feeling hot, leading to cold sweats.
The term is used to describe diaphoresis, which occurs when you sweat in the absence of heat or physical exercise, according to Sarita Salzberg, MD, a physician on the Virtual Health Platform Carewell Health Tips.
“When we sweat, the body’s trying to get rid of the heat,” she says. “However, cold sweats usually occur when our bodies are in a state of flight or fight, and our adrenaline is activated, triggering physical responses.”
Cold sweats could be caused by external or internal triggers like stress or illnesses. Dr. Salzberg says they’re usually not something to be concerned about but.
But, she says it’s essential to be aware of how often they occur and the other signs you’re experiencing. “Cold sweats may be a sign that an indication from your body that that something is wrong. It could be a sign of an emergency medical situation in certain instances.”
What Do Cold Sweats Feel Like?
You’ve likely felt cold sweats while experiencing nausea or stress. Cold sweats typically appear on your armpits, palms, and the soles of your feet.
“Cold sweating symptoms generally are characterized by chills, fatigue, and lymph nodes swelling,” Dr. Salzberg says.
If you experience these symptoms in conjunction with sweaty colds, She suggests it’s time to consult your physician:
- High fever
- Shivering and cold
- Confusing or disorientation
- Rapid breathing
- Normally high pulse
- Trouble breathing
- The loss of consciousness
What Causes Cold Sweats?
There are a variety of factors that can trigger chills. Sometimes, it’s nothing to worry about, whereas you should be extremely worried about others.
The best way to determine is to know the way you sweat. Do you tend to sweat a lot all the time? Do you constantly sweat when you’re anxious? If you’re not incredibly sweaty, you should take note of suddenly breaking into a cold sweat.
Here are some of the most common reasons for cold sweats:
Hyperhidrosis
Many people sweat excessively throughout the day, even when working out or experiencing warmth. It’s a hyperhidrosis problem that occurs when your sweat glands are overreactive and produce excessive sweat in the most inappropriate moments. The sweating can occur throughout your body or in specific areas, such as your feet, palms, armpits, and face. There is no cure for this condition, but it is treatable with medicines or antiperspirants designed explicitly for the purpose.
Afraid and Stress
Everybody is stressed, and sweating is an effect of stress. The cold sweats could also react to stressful events such as speaking in public or an interview. Our human body’s fight-or-flight response causes an increase in adrenaline which stimulates the sweat glands. The doctor, Dr. Salzberg, says finding ways to manage anxiety during your day, for example, through journaling or making time for the activities you love, can be as beneficial for your physical well-being as it is for your mental well-being.
Nausea
If you’re sick in your stomach, the nervous system increases the heart rate, which may cause you to sweat. Typically, the sweating cold will disappear after you eat or when the nausea is gone. You should consult your physician if you notice an affliction, blurred vision, or trouble speaking or walking.
Medications
Medicines can trigger various adverse effects, including cold sweating, which is just one of the most common. Research suggests that sweating may be caused by multiple A fever, infection, or underlying health problem is usually associated with this symptom. There are many causes of cold sweats, including anxiety, low blood sugar, and thyroid issues. drugs such as antidepressants, hypoglycemic agents, SSRIs, opioids, and hormone-blocking medications.
HTML1 Changes in hormones
Modifications in hormonal levels, like low testosterone levels, could hinder the body’s temperature control and result in sweating. Sweating and hot flashes are common in menopausal women.
Infections
Infections that may originate from bacteria or viruses stimulate the immune system’s response to combat. This could cause sweating. Pneumonia or the flu, tuberculosis, mononucleosis, Covid-19, and HIV are diseases that could cause sweating to increase. Talk to your doctor if you have a fever of high as well as breathing problems or a heart rate that is high.
Fever
If you’re suffering from stomach bugs, a cold, or another health issue, the increasing temperature is a normal reaction and will likely make you sweat while you may also feel cold. Research suggests that fever can cause the body’s temperature to fluctuate, which is why you sweat.
Pain
The extreme pain of any type can cause chills, according to the doctor. Contessa says. If you fracture the bone or suffer a strike on the neck, the organs might not receive the oxygen they require while your body copes with the discomfort. This could cause you to sweat. The sweating could get worse if your body goes into shock in response. Reducing the pain is usually enough to reduce the cold sweats.
Certain cancers
Certain cancers are associated with sweating, particularly during rest, Dr. Contacessa says. Leukemia, lymphoma, bone, prostate, and liver cancer are all associated with sweating. “If it’s occurring at night, for more than a couple of days, it’s time to see your doctor to be evaluated for the possibility of certain types of cancers,” Dr. Xavier says.
Blood sugar levels are low.
The condition of low blood sugar, hypoglycemia, occurs when blood sugar levels drop and one way your body reacts is through sweating, according to Dr. Contacessa. Cold sweats are prevalent in diabetes patients, as research indicates that both types of diabetes make it hard to regulate their temperature.
Heart attack
An abrupt onset of sweating could cause sweating. It’s among the first indications of an attack on the heart, but it’s usually ignored. “When experiencing cold sweats that are a sign of heart attacks, you be likely experiencing other symptoms,” Dr. Salzberg states. This includes dizziness, trouble breathing, or pain in the neck, back, jaw, stomach, or back. Also, you may feel chest discomfort or pain like pulling or squeezing. If you are experiencing one of the symptoms listed above, go to the emergency room as soon as possible.
When Should You Worry About Your Cold Sweats?
Dr. Salzberg says that if you’re experiencing cold sweats, be aware of other symptoms you’re experiencing simultaneously.
“The crucial factor in determining when to be concerned is to consider the full picture of what’s happening,” Dr. Contacessa states. “The sweats that are not accompanied by other indications or causes are typically normal. It could be due to stress or hormonal. If you experience cold sweats in conjunction with other symptoms (or risk factors), you should think about seeking more evaluation or medical attention.”
The cold sweats that occur every day or together with fever, fast pulse or chest pain, trouble breathing, or feeling dizzy are all signs to consult your physician.
How Are Cold Sweats Treated?
There’s no treatment specific to cold sweats by themselves, as Dr. Contacessa said. Doctors will look at your bloodwork and possibly some other tests to discover the reason for the sweating and address the root cause.
“The most important thing is to be savvy and pay attention to the body’s signals,” he says. “If sweating is frequent or is accompanied by other signs such as chest discomfort, breathlessness, or dizziness, you must seek help promptly.”
Erica Sweeney is a writer who focuses on health, wellness, and careers. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, HuffPost, Teen Vogue, Parade, Money, Business Insider, and many more.
