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Cold sweat / cold perspiration
Sweating can indicate serious illnesses
Sweating is a normal and natural process that plays a central role in maintaining health. Sweat takes over several important functions for the body, with the focus being on the regulation of the heat balance. For example, if the organism heats up in the sun, in sports or in the sauna, the beads of sweat evaporate on the surface of the skin and cool the skin. This prevents overheating.
Cold sweat, on the other hand, has other reasons because it is a clear indication that the body is under a lot of stress. Here are both psychological triggers such as anxiety or stress as well as physical causes such as acute hypoglycaemia in diabetes or a pseudo-group in infants into consideration. Cold sweat may also be an alarm sign for a life-threatening event such as a heart attack or a severe shock. Accordingly, this should always be taken seriously and promptly (not) medically clarified.
contents
- Sweating can indicate serious illnesses
- Why are we sweating?
- Sweating can have many causes
- Cold sweat: an indication of heavy stress
- Cold sweat on the forehead due to low blood sugar
- Cold sweat due to pulmonary edema
- Cold sweat in circulation problems
- Cause circulatory shock
- Cold sweat in the toddler
- Always take barking coughs seriously
- Mental causes
- Therapy for circulatory problems
- Circulatory shock requires emergency medical treatment
- Therapy for low blood sugar
- Treatment for pulmonary edema
- Relief of discomfort through healthy lifestyle
- Naturopathy with cold sweat
Why are we sweating?
Many people find it uncomfortable when they sweat. This is especially true in summer temperatures or physical exertion, when quickly dark spots appear under the shoulders and the sweat is on the forehead. Sweating is a natural process that affects everyone and fulfills important functions for the body and our health. These include, among other things, the defense against harmful germs and the structure of the acid protection coat of the skin.
Many people feel uncomfortable when they Sweat during sport. But the natural process is important to avoid overheating the body. (Image: drubig-photo / fotolia.com) The central task is to regulate body temperature, as the evaporation of sweat on the skin cools the surface and protects the body from overheating ("thermoregulation"). The sweat itself is an aqueous secretion secreted by the skin through the sweat glands.
A distinction is made between the so-called "eccrine" and "apocrine" glands. The former are distributed throughout the body and can produce large quantities of clear, odorless liquid. The apocrine sweat glands ("scent glands"), however, are only on the nipples and in the armpit and genital area and act there as a producer of odoriferous substances (pheromones).
In total there are more than two million sweat glands in the skin, with the highest density at the soles and lowest at the lower legs. With a few exceptions (puberty, certain diseases), the secreted sweat smells neutral, because the typical, strong odor does not develop until the liquid is decomposed by bacteria on the skin.
Sweating can have many causes
In addition to the "thermal sweating" that causes the body to cool down (in heat, sports, the sauna, etc.), sweating can have a number of other causes. Frequently, illnesses with fever are the trigger, as well as emotions such as excitement, stress and inner restlessness can sometimes trigger very strong sweating. For example, fear of exams or situations such as an unpleasant appointment are conceivable.
Hormonal changes (menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, etc.) can lead to more sweat than usual. The same applies to certain medications such as cortisone. Further, increased sweating not only occurs in association with fever, but may also be caused as a concomitant symptom by diseases such as hyperthyroidism, diabetes, rheumatism or cancer (e.g., acute leukemia).
In some cases, a strong sweat production occurs as a separate disease (hyperhidrosis). In this case, the body's heat regulation system operates at too high a level, causing excessive sweating.
Those who perspire extremely heavily may suffer from excessive sweat production. (Image: andriano_cz / fotolia.com) Cold sweat: an indication of heavy stress
While sweating in warmth or physical exertion is a natural and harmless process, cold sweat on the forehead has other causes. It should be remembered that the term is a bit misleading - because not the sweat itself is cold, but the skin. In any case, this indicates that the body is under severe stress, whether due to mental factors or a physical illness. Cold perspiration should therefore always be taken seriously and medically clarified.
Danger: In an emergency, it can even be a sign of a life-threatening event such as acute hypoxia or a severe shock. If you experience other symptoms, such as severe chest pain, facial paleness, and intense pressure or tightness in the chest, it may indicate a heart attack. Chest pain often radiates to other parts of the body, such as the arms, shoulders, neck, or back.
Patients often report a burning pain, and it is also possible that an infarct is accompanied by so-called "non-specific signs". These include respiratory distress, epigastric pain and nausea and vomiting. Since these symptoms can also mean a "harmless" illness, an emergency doctor should be called on the recommendation of the German Heart Foundation, if the symptoms occur to an extent that has not previously been experienced.
Cold sweat on the forehead due to low blood sugar
With cold sweat on the forehead, general caution is advised. In a diabetic patient, for example, this may indicate an acute hypoglycaemia (hypoglycaemia), which is medically termed too low a blood sugar level. Hypoglycaemia can affect both type 1 and type 2 diabetics by lowering blood sugar to a concentration of less than 50 mg / dL.
In addition to the cold sweat, this can cause other symptoms such as inner restlessness, rapid heartbeat, dizziness and food cravings. Muscular twitching, loss of consciousness and impaired vision and concentration are also typical.
In diabetics too low blood sugar levels may be the reason for cold sweat. (Image: Syda Productions / fotolia.com) If the blood sugar concentration drops below 30 mg / dl, convulsions and unconsciousness are possible. Not infrequently, the early warning signs of hypoglycaemia but stay out, because just frequent attacks of hypoglycemia or a long-standing diabetes Can cause the body's warning system does not work properly (disturbed hypoglycemia perception).
For the decrease in blood sugar levels are different triggers into consideration. Examples include delayed or omitted food, physical exertion, overdose of prescribed medication (insulin, blood sugar lowering) and excessive alcohol consumption, especially in connection with physical exertion (such as post-workout pub crawl). There is an increased risk of diarrhea or vomiting and an excessive interval between insulin injection and food intake.
Cold sweat due to pulmonary edema
One possible cause is a so-called "pulmonary edema". This is an accumulation of fluid in the lung tissue or in the alveoli, which is why the disease is colloquially referred to as "water lung". Fluid accumulation can have several causes, medically distinguishing between cardiac (cardiac) and noncardiac causes.
In most cases, it is a cardiac pulmonary edema, which is caused by a heart failure (heart failure) or a reduced pumping function of the heart. As a result, there is a backflow of blood into the pulmonary vessels. This in turn leads to an increase in pressure in the blood vessels, whereupon increased liquid from the vessels is pressed into the tissue.
Such a cardiac insufficiency can arise, for example, as a result of a heart attack, myocarditis or cardiac arrhythmias (palpitations, heart palpitations). Similarly, a disturbed heart valve function or congenital heart defects are conceivable. Furthermore, long-term stress on the heart due to high blood pressure, alcohol abuse or hyperthyroidism as the cause come into consideration, as these factors can also cause heart failure.
The less common non-cardiac pulmonary edema, however, is caused by other factors, such as toxins, severe allergic reactions (anaphylactic shock), or infections.
Pulmonary edema may cause severe respiratory distress, among other things. (Image: Michael Schütze / fotolia.com) Depending on the stage of the disease, pulmonary edema may present several symptoms. If the fluid accumulation is limited to the interstitial spaces of the lung tissue (interstitial pulmonary edema), there is typically an increased respiratory distress. The air is sucked in here with more and more effort and accompanied by constantly louder rattling noises. Sufferers breathe noticeably fast, restless and shallow, often coughing occurs. Most attempts are made to keep the upper body as upright as possible to get better air.
If the fluid has spread to the alveoli (alveolar pulmonary edema), the symptoms become stronger. The rattling breath sounds increase, the pulse is significantly faster and it shows bluish discoloration of the skin and blue lips (cyanosis). Other typical signs include foamy-bloody sputum and cold sweat, often accompanied by increasing anxiety and anxiety.
Cold sweat in circulation problems
Often, cold sweats are a sign of weakness or circulatory insufficiency. Although this is widespread, but usually does not represent a serious disease. Characteristic here are in addition to the cold sweating especially dizziness, headache, nausea, palpitations, eye fibrillation or blackening in front of the eyes and a feeling of weakness and dizziness.
Circulatory insufficiency is caused when the brain is no longer adequately supplied with blood or oxygen, which in most cases is triggered by low blood pressure (hypotension). This can either generally exist or (in the more frequent case) occur only temporarily, which in turn can have many different causes.
A distinction is made between a primary and a secondary hypotension: In the first case, the trigger of mostly permanent low blood pressure is not known, it is striking, however, that particularly often young, slim women are affected. In the case of secondary hypotension, however, the causes are known. For example cardiovascular diseases (heart failure, myocardial infarction, etc.), hypothyroidism, infectious diseases or kidney disease are possible. Furthermore, low blood pressure may be due to certain medications.
A special form of circulatory problem is the so-called "orthostatic dysregulation" in which there is an expansion of the blood vessels, whereby the body is no longer able to adjust the blood pressure corresponding to changes in body position accordingly. This leads to symptoms such as dizziness, facial blanching, nausea, cold sweating, blurred vision or even fainting (circulatory collapse)..
Dizziness and frequent blackening in front of the eyes are typical symptoms of orthostatic dysregulation. (Image: pathdoc / fotolia.com) A typical example is the black in front of the eyes and a dazed, dizzy feeling when getting up quickly from the lying position. Above all, diabetics, people with pronounced varicose veins and those who generally have low blood pressure levels are affected. An increased risk exists in the elderly. Orthostatic dysregulation is one of the most common causes of sudden unconsciousness.
Cause circulatory shock
Other possible triggers for circulatory failure and thus for the development of cold sweats are inflammation, massive blood loss as a result of injury, drug abuse, severe hypothermia or mental causes.
The oxygen supply can suddenly be so severely limited by a circulatory system that the organs are no longer adequately supplied. In this case, the circuit fails completely, it comes to a shock that can be life-threatening and therefore must be treated immediately emergency medical. Cold sweating, shivering and freezing are typical accompanying symptoms. The same applies to dizziness, facial pallor, nausea, inner restlessness, confusion and a clouding of consciousness that can lead to unconsciousness or coma.
For example, severe cardiac disorders (especially acute myocardial infarction and acute cardiac arrhythmias), massive allergic reactions (for example to medication), bacterial infections or severe psychological stress (anxiety, severe shock in the event of an accident, etc.) may trigger the cardiovascular shock.
Cold sweat in the toddler
Danger: If a child or toddler or baby experiences cold sweat, a pediatrician should always be consulted or called up immediately in order to clarify the cause and avoid health risks.
Cold sweating in children may have different causes. If a coarse, dry-barking cough appears in parallel, a so-called "pseudo-squat" (also called "acute stenosing laryngotracheitis" or "crustacean") is possible. It is an inflammation of the upper respiratory tract that mainly affects children between the ages of six months and six years. Boys are statistically more likely to become ill than girls. Pseudokrupp occurs during the typical cold times in autumn and winter heaped up, which comes especially in the evening or at night to tormenting Hustattacken.
In most cases, the crustacean is caused by a viral infection (e.g., parainfluenza virus or measles). Often the disease is preceded by a harmless flu infection with cough, runny nose and partial fever. Furthermore, bacterial infections (for example with pneumococci) and in rare cases allergic reactions (for example on cat hair and house dust mites) are considered to be triggers. Pollutants in the environment - especially tobacco smoke - are considered a risk factor or enhancer of a pseudo-squad.
In addition to the typical hard, barking cough caused by the heavily swollen mucous membranes on the larynx and upper part of the trachea, the affected children typically wheeze heavily when breathing. Often there is also a hissing when catching the air, hoarseness and a slightly elevated temperature are possible. The shortness of breath can lead to anxiety and panic. As a result, in rare cases, the symptoms increase so much that the shortness of air can even be life-threatening and therefore requires immediate emergency medical service.
Always take barking coughs seriously
Most pseudo-squat, however, is complication-free - even if the barking coughing often sounds very serious and scary. In case of an acute attack, it is particularly important that the parents remain calm to calm the child and avoid excitement and panic. At the same time the child should be relieved to breathe. For this, the little patient is brought into an upright position, and it can also be helpful to inhale either moist, warm air (inhalation) or cool, humid air (at the window, open fridge).
In a pseudo-coronary episode, it is important to calm the child and make sure he can breathe better. (Image: Africa Studio / fotolia.com) When the seizure is over, the child should drink some water or tea slowly. A short walk in the fresh air is soothing. Important: Although in most cases, the crustacean is without major problems, it is generally to take any form of sudden, barking cough seriously. Because if the inflammation of the upper respiratory tract is not treated or delayed, it can even become life-threatening.
Accordingly, a pediatrician should be consulted promptly in case of suspicion or in case of severe respiratory distress immediately the emergency call 112 should be discontinued. The pediatrician then decides on suitable treatment measures. In mild pseudo-squamous cortisone suppositories are often used to prevent or counteract a laryngeal swelling.
In severe cases or lack of improvement of the symptoms, usually a treatment in the hospital, where the child in severe respiratory distress, for example, by an inhalation with adrenaline or an oxygen supply via a breathing mask can be helped. Especially in more severe cases, a thorough pediatrician examination is important in order to exclude the very rare occurring "real" Krupp, which is caused by the dangerous, bacterial infectious disease diphtheria.
Mental causes
Cold sweatiness can be mental. Because if we are scared or stressed, the body is in an alarm situation and is prepared by the so-called "sympathetic nervous system" for "fight or flight". As a result, various physical changes such as an accelerated heartbeat, constriction of the blood vessels of the skin, loss of appetite, rising blood sugar levels or reduced salivation are triggered. In addition, there is an increased production of sweat in order to cool the more than otherwise required body during the supposed "fight" or the "flight" accordingly.
However, sweat hits cold skin here, because unlike physical exertion, blood flow to the skin is reduced in the case of "emotional sweating" in an anxiety or stress situation (such as test anxiety, stage fright, or severe fright). As a result, sweat does not evaporate like thermal sweat, but feels cold and smells different than "normal" sweat.
Mental stress, such as Test anxiety can quickly lead to cold perspiration. (Image: Light Impression / fotolia.com) Since the body, in such an "alert state", pulls the blood off the skin, fingers and toes and instead delivers to vital parts of the body such as the arms and legs, facial anxiety, a feeling of blood loss or prickling or numbness in the extremities are typical in anxiety or panic sign.
Therapy for circulatory problems
In case of circulatory failure, the central treatment is to restore circulation and stabilize the circulation. For this purpose, various options come into consideration, whereby the concrete action always depends on the cause of the complaints.
If the cause of the low blood pressure is known (secondary hypotension), for example, the focus is first directed to the treatment of the underlying disease, which in turn is e.g. by adjusting support stockings or a varicose vein operation is done.
In general, however, sufferers can also do some things themselves to strengthen their circulation. Important here is above all the renouncement of nicotine, alcohol and too greasy food. Care should be taken not to get up abruptly from lying down or sitting or standing too long. It is very important to drink enough (2 to 2.5 liters a day), as well as cold-warm alternating showers and massages are effective methods to stimulate the circulation.
Circulatory shock requires emergency medical treatment
Compared to circulatory failure, a circulatory shock is a life-threatening condition requiring immediate emergency medical attention. Here, artificial ventilation of the patient usually takes place first, and in most cases circulation-stimulating syringes or infusions are necessary for stabilization. At the same time, blood pressure and pulse rate are constantly monitored and heart function monitored by ECG.
Further treatment is based on the cause of the shock. For example, if triggered by a heart attack, the sealed vessel must be reopened (reperfusion) and perfused, while heart muscle inflammation is usually treated with antibiotics and strict bed rest.
Therapy for low blood sugar
If hypoglycaemia is the cause of cold sweat, immediate action is necessary. Because if there is a severe and persistent form, there is a risk that the brain will be damaged in the long term or the hypoglycaemia even fatal.
A mild form can also have health consequences, for example by increasing the risk of falls or accidents due to impaired vision or consciousness. Accordingly, the person concerned must immediately consume carbohydrates in the form of glucose (for example, glucose, fruit juice) in order to raise the blood sugar level and thereby alleviate the symptoms. If successful, it is advisable that patients subsequently take a small meal to prevent further hypoglycaemia.
In case of slight hypoglycaemia sufferers should immediately drink fruit juice or eat glucose to normalize the blood sugar level. (Image: mahey / fotolia.com) If the person concerned is no longer conscious, an emergency doctor must be called immediately, who then initiates the further treatment steps. First responders should take care that the unconscious person is not given solid foods or liquids to avoid the risk of suffocation. However, it is possible to subcutaneous or intramuscular injection of glucagon from the emergency kit for diabetics by a foreign helper, which causes a rapid, short-lasting increase in blood sugar.
Treatment for pulmonary edema
If an acute pulmonary edema is present, there may be acute danger to life, so that an immediate intensive medical treatment is also necessary. The affected person is first brought into the so-called "heart bed position" by the upper body and the legs are stored deep, so as not to increase the respiratory distress. If necessary, the airways are cleared and administered oxygen, in severe cases, artificial respiration occurs.
The doctor administers medications such as dehydrating substances (diuretics) and nitroglycerin; in case of inner restlessness, anxiety and pain, diazepam and morphine can relieve the symptoms. Following these emergency measures, the underlying cause, if known, is treated by, for example, using cardiac insufficiency to strengthen the heart of digitalis or, in the case of an allergy, antiallergic agents.
Relief of discomfort through healthy lifestyle
Often, the symptoms associated with circulatory problems. These can often be effectively and sustainably alleviated by using meaningful alternative therapies. However, the active cooperation of the patient is important, because a change in the habits of life is often necessary to keep the circulation stable over the long term and to be able to cope with the demands of everyday life.
A central role is played by a healthy diet with lots of fruits, vegetables and whole foods, sufficient fluid as well as regular exercise and plenty of fresh air. Likewise, it is necessary to avoid risk factors such as nicotine, excessive alcohol consumption as well as excessive amounts of coffee and black tea (maximum three cups) to relieve the circulation.
For circulatory problems, regular exercise and plenty of fresh air is particularly important. (Image: ARochau / fotolia.com) Naturopathy with cold sweat
To stimulate the circulation, various naturopathic approaches come into consideration. Examples are so-called "diversion procedures" such as the Baunscheidtherapie. With this, the naturopath triggers a local irritation of the skin by tiny pinpricks with the "alarm clock" and the subsequent rubbing with special oil to detoxify and relieve the body.
In many cases, herbal medicine can provide effective yet gentle support for circulatory disorders. Here, for example, ginseng and rosemary come into consideration, the former is generally considered a "tonic", while rosemary has proven especially as a herbal remedy for low blood pressure. The applications are varied, so depending on your preference, for example, prepared from fresh or dried rosemary leaves a tea or a tincture can be applied.
Also in aromatherapy, essential rosemary oil is an indispensable part of cardiovascular problems. in the form of massage oil, bath additive or for inhalations.
A relaxing rosemary bath stimulates the circulation and helps with low blood pressure. (Image: srady / fotolia.com) To support the heart health, Valerian has proven itself. For strengthening, drink valerian juice from the pharmacy, mixing one tablespoon per serving with some tea or milk. Alternatively, there is an infusion of the soothing medicinal plant.
Recipe for valerian blackberry tea:
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If there is a severe, acute pulmonary edema, this requires in any case an immediate medical intensive care. But in the subsequent treatment of the underlying diseases, naturopathy can be used in some sensible ways. However, it is important to first consult with a naturopath or naturopathic practitioner in order to select the appropriate means for the respective clinical picture and to avoid health risks.
In question, for example, the field of homeopathy. In case of severe weakness and fatigue, foaming and shortness of breath, Arsenicum album (white arsenic) has proven to be the "main remedy". If it comes to a collapse, wheezing or rasselnder breathing and a bluish discoloration of the face, is suitable Carbo vegetabilis (charcoal). With a feeling of tightness, heat or heavy weight in or on the chest and foaming in a pulmonary edema often Phosphorus (yellow phosphorus) is used.
A good support in the treatment of pulmonary edema are Schüssler salts, in particular the salts number 8 (sodium chloratum) and number 10 (Natrum sulfuricum) are mentioned. Furthermore, there are a number of other salts, which can be used in heart failure. These include, among others, the salt no. 1 (calcium fluoratum), no. 5 (potassium phosphoricum) or no. 15 (potassium iodate). However, the selection of the "right" remedy and the dosage should not be on your own, but always in consultation with a naturopath or naturopathic-oriented doctor. (nr, last updated on 16.11.2016)
Specialist supervision: Barbara Schindewolf-Lensch (doctor) 