Ever wonder, ‘Why Am I Sweating and Peeing So Much?’ While sweating is a body’s natural reaction to warmth and activity, its excessive occurrence might hint at underlying issues like heart disease or infections. On the flip side, urinating frequently could signal a urinary tract infection (UTI) or be a side effect of certain foods or medications. Prostate pills can sometimes play a role in urinary patterns, so it’s important to understand all potential influences on your health.
Excessive Sweating
Sweating is a normal bodily function that helps control your temperature, but some individuals experience excessive sweating which can be embarrassing and distressful. Hyperhidrosis is an overactive sweat gland condition characterized by salt-based liquid secretions from sweat glands. Most often seen on armpits, palms, soles of feet and face but can also occur in chest, groin area and back areas. At first, sweating may seem to come out of nowhere; however, its cause could be linked to thyroid conditions, low blood sugar, nervous system disorders, medications or infections. Sweating may even be a symptom of certain cancers or heart conditions when combined with chest pain and frequent urination.
Hyperhidrosis differs from regular sweating in that it occurs at all times – not just when hot or excited; hyperhidrosis sufferers sweat all of the time regardless of being hot or emotional. It typically starts during puberty but may continue well into adulthood and more commonly affects men than women; nonetheless it affects anyone of any age or ethnicity.
Some individuals experience excessive sweating only under certain circumstances, like when angry or anxious. These individuals are diagnosed with idiopathic hyperhidrosis – an untreatable condition with no known source, though heat or certain food and beverages may worsen symptoms.
Hyperhidrosis treatments include aluminum chloride antiperspirants, glycopyrronium tosylate towelettes, clonidine, tap-water iontophoresis, botulinum toxin injections and surgical procedures. A doctor will typically diagnose hyperhidrosis using history, physical exam and medical tests (such as blood and urine tests ).
Overcome sweating can be extremely embarrassing and distressful, yet it is crucial that you visit a physician for diagnosis as excessive sweating could be a telltale sign of heart disease or cancer. Speaking to your physician also allows you to learn what triggers it so you can better manage symptoms; keeping a sweat journal would also be useful in this respect.
Frequent Urination
Frequent urges to urinate do not necessarily signal health problems; frequent urination (also called urinary frequency) could be due to anything from drinking too much fluids to diabetes or prostate issues; frequent urination makes life harder, making it hard to work, socialize with friends and even go grocery shopping. Frequent urination makes life challenging!
Most adults should urinate four to eight times per day, with more frequent urination or getting up in the middle of the night to urinate considered frequent urination. A bladder can hold two cups of urine at any given time; when half full, however, most people experience the urge to pee more frequently; drinking too many liquids at once or eating food containing high sodium levels can also have this effect.
Frequent urination after giving birth may also be caused by pregnancy or delivery; for any concerns you have during your gestation or postpartum, or due to frequent urination post-birth, speak to your healthcare provider immediately. Frequent urination after giving birth often indicates weak pelvic floor muscles that will gradually strengthen over time.
Your healthcare provider can not only help identify what’s causing your urine issues, but can also prescribe treatments and monitor whether they’re effective. Your physician may suggest making adjustments to the types and amounts of fluids you drink each day, monitoring alcohol and caffeine consumption and restricting foods that could act as diuretics. They might also advise wearing protective pad or underwear to minimize leakage. Other treatment options for incontinence may include biofeedback therapy, bladder training and Kegel exercises. These therapies can help increase awareness of how your body operates by teaching you to control your bladder and pelvic muscles more effectively – the more urination can be reduced the greater will be your quality of life.
Hyperhidrosis
Sweating is the body’s natural response to heat temperatures, physical exertion and certain emotions such as stress or nervousness. But some individuals can have overactive sweat glands that produce excessive amounts of sweat even in non-stressful situations; this condition is known as hyperhidrosis. While not life-threatening, hyperhidrosis may become uncomfortable and interfere with daily activities – not only that but it could cause unpleasant odors as well as skin infections from bacteria such as yeast or fungi in areas where sweat accumulates regularly – not an unpleasant condition!
Hyperhidrosis treatment options vary, with your physician identifying the one best tailored to your unique symptoms and needs. Most commonly, patients begin by trying antiperspirants – both over-the-counter or prescription strength options may work effectively. Antiperspirants contain aluminum chloride, which plugs up sweat glands. Armpit shields – pads worn on the underarms – may help, as may loose clothing made from natural fibers. Iontophoresis, in which hands or feet are submerged into a bowl of water while an electric current passes painlessly through it, may also provide helpful relief. Botulinum toxin (Botox) injections may also prove effective and two or four 20-30 minute treatments could prove sufficient to relieve symptoms quickly. In addition, oral medications with drying effects could also prove helpful.
If sweating is caused by an underlying health condition such as menopause or thyroid disorders, treating that health issue or switching medications could help relieve symptoms. Other possible treatments could include acupuncture, hypnosis and iontophoresis.
Maintaining a journal of your sweating can help your doctor pinpoint its source. This is particularly useful if your sweating is caused by an emotional or psychological event.
Yale Medicine’s Center for Sweat Disorders offers many helpful resources for people living with hyperhidrosis, such as a news blog and links to physicians specializing in this area of medicine. John Hopkins Center for Sweat Disorders also has many excellent tools for those experiencing excessive sweating such as tips, coping techniques and information on treatment options as well as an easy search function so users can locate clinical trials or physicians near them.
Dehydration
Daily we lose body fluid through sweat, tears, breathing, urination and stool; this loss must be replenished through drinking fluids. Dehydration can result in an imbalance of electrolytes leading to symptoms like diarrhea, nausea and vomiting as well as heart complications or confusion; should this happen, you should consume plenty of liquids immediately as soon as you suspect dehydration and consult your physician immediately for treatment.
Dehydration can occur after vigorous exercise in hot temperatures, and athletes are particularly at risk. People on restricted diets such as those living with diabetes or chronic kidney disease also are at heightened risk. Infants and children may be especially prone to dehydration because of their low body weight – they may not know when they need fluids and may lack the opportunity to drink fluids as quickly. Adults taking medications that reduce thirst (diuretics) also are at higher risk, along with high temperatures, strenuous activity, dry mouth (xerostomia).
Thirst isn’t always an indicator that it’s time to drink; rather, thirst usually signals when your body has lost too much fluid. A more reliable indication is the color of your urine: pale and clear indicate you are well hydrated while darker hues indicate you need more liquid intake. Other symptoms of dehydration may include dry mouth, sunken eyes and white coating on tongue caused by bacteria, dead cells or debris lodged deep within tissues.
Mild dehydration is usually alleviated by drinking more liquids containing electrolytes, like sports drinks, while more intense hydration measures may be necessary if experiencing heat exhaustion or losing too much fluid. For moderate or severe dehydration, intravenous (IV) fluids with salt will need to be administered at an urgent care center or hospital; remembering each person has unique water needs is key; ask your doctor how much water to drink daily along with fruit juice, coffee or tea as a balance measure.