Is excessive sweating a symptom of diabetes?

Written by Yang Li
Endocrinology
Updated on September 23, 2024
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Diabetes typically presents with symptoms of polydipsia, polyuria, polyphagia, and weight loss, commonly known as the "three excesses and one deficiency." However, diabetic patients often have accompanying autonomic dysfunctions or peripheral neuropathy, which can also lead to excessive sweating. Clinically, it is observed that some patients might sweat excessively in specific areas. For instance, some might report excessive forehead sweating or localized sweating on certain body parts, or even unilateral sweating. In such cases, it is necessary to consider whether the symptoms might be a complication of diabetes. To diagnose this, one should firstly conduct diagnostic tests for diabetes, such as the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), to determine if the blood glucose levels meet the diagnostic criteria for diabetes. Additionally, it is important to perform electromyography to check for any neuropathic complications that might affect nerve conduction velocities. This helps in determining whether excessive sweating is a specific symptom of diabetes. However, not all cases of hyperhidrosis are specific to diabetes; other conditions, such as hyperthyroidism (thyrotoxicosis), can also cause excessive sweating and should be considered.

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Written by Zhang Shu Kun
Traditional Chinese Medicine
46sec home-news-image

What is excessive sweating and night sweats?

The causes of excessive sweating and night sweats are often considered to be due to a relatively weak constitution or frequent staying up late. Other possible reasons might include frequent sexual activities, which can also lead to excessive sweating and night sweats. Therefore, it is initially necessary to use Chinese medicine for conditioning, which can bring about significant improvement. Mainly, medicines that boost qi and nourish yin, such as ginseng and longan, are used. These can effectively replenish yang and qi and provide effective conditioning. In terms of diet, drinking more plain water can also help alleviate gastrointestinal digestion. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Qiu Xin Hui
Traditional Chinese Medicine
54sec home-news-image

What department should I go to for excessive sweating?

Excessive sweating can occur for many reasons in traditional Chinese medicine, such as disharmony between ying and wei, deficiency in both qi and blood, and hyperactivity of fire due to yin deficiency, among other conditions. It is advisable to visit a hospital and see a traditional Chinese medicine doctor for a direct diagnosis. The doctor will diagnose using the four diagnostic methods: observation, listening and smelling, questioning, and pulse-taking, and then treat the patient by differentiating the syndrome to select the appropriate medications for adjustment. Excessive sweating is a common issue and requires special attention to diet in daily life. It's recommended to eat a light diet and avoid spicy, dry, irritating, and heat-inducing foods. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Liu Yong
Traditional Chinese Medicine
37sec home-news-image

What tea should a man who is physically weak and sweats a lot drink?

Men with physical weakness can drink teas that replenish Qi and blood, which can help nourish the kidneys and regulate overall health. Some options include teas made from Astragalus, Ginseng, Codonopsis, Goji berries, Red dates, and Ginger. They can also consume beef, mutton, sheep kidneys, pork, eel, etc. It's important to exercise regularly and avoid spicy and greasy foods. Consuming fresh fruits and vegetables, ensuring adequate rest, getting plenty of sleep, avoiding staying up late, and abstaining from alcohol and smoking are also recommended.

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Written by Qu Jing
Dermatology
1min 33sec home-news-image

What causes hyperhidrosis?

Hyperhidrosis refers to abnormal excessive sweating either locally or over the entire skin surface that occurs under normal living conditions or circumstances. In Western medicine, hyperhidrosis is primarily attributed to psychological factors, hemiplegia, concussion, and other causes of autonomic nervous damage or dysfunction, as well as some endocrine disorders, such as hyperthyroidism and diabetes. Sometimes, it can also be a symptom accompanying other diseases. The occurrence of hyperhidrosis is linked to an increase in sympathetic nerve impulses that enhance the excitement of sweat glands, leading to excessive sweating. It can also be due to increased nervous tension in the sweat glands, which intensifies the sweating response. Furthermore, excessive sweating can occur with the extensive use of corticosteroids, and it can be categorized into localized sweating and generalized sweating. According to traditional Chinese medicine, there are two types of excessive sweating: spontaneous sweating and night sweating. Spontaneous sweating entails sweating during the day without much physical activity, which worsens with exercise and is associated with qi deficiency. Night sweating occurs during the night and is accompanied by symptoms such as warmth in the palms and soles and irritability, indicating yin deficiency.

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Written by Yang Li
Endocrinology
1min 30sec home-news-image

Is excessive sweating a symptom of diabetes?

Diabetes typically presents with symptoms of polydipsia, polyuria, polyphagia, and weight loss, commonly known as the "three excesses and one deficiency." However, diabetic patients often have accompanying autonomic dysfunctions or peripheral neuropathy, which can also lead to excessive sweating. Clinically, it is observed that some patients might sweat excessively in specific areas. For instance, some might report excessive forehead sweating or localized sweating on certain body parts, or even unilateral sweating. In such cases, it is necessary to consider whether the symptoms might be a complication of diabetes. To diagnose this, one should firstly conduct diagnostic tests for diabetes, such as the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), to determine if the blood glucose levels meet the diagnostic criteria for diabetes. Additionally, it is important to perform electromyography to check for any neuropathic complications that might affect nerve conduction velocities. This helps in determining whether excessive sweating is a specific symptom of diabetes. However, not all cases of hyperhidrosis are specific to diabetes; other conditions, such as hyperthyroidism (thyrotoxicosis), can also cause excessive sweating and should be considered.