Under the shade of the trees, Lao Li and Lao Wang were blowing electric fans, discussing their respective "sweating policies". Lao Li naturally loves to sweat like rain, and he sweats profusely whenever he does some work, while Lao Wang works for half a day, and his face is only slightly damp. Lao Wang always likes to say: "I don't sweat, it's healthy, it's very cool." "
Lao Li disagreed, and retorted: "Only a lot of sweat can expel all the dirt in the body." Which is more healthy, sweating more or sweating less?
1. The physiological mechanism and role of sweating
Human sweating is mainly done through sweat glands, which are part of our thermoregulatory system. The human body temperature is maintained at about 37°C, and in order to maintain this constant temperature, the body will adjust accordingly to the external environment and internal conditions.
When the body produces more heat in a hot environment or during physical activity, the sweat glands secrete sweat and help the body dissipate heat through the evaporation of sweat, so as to keep the body temperature from getting too high.
Sweating is not just a tool to dissipate heat, it also helps the body to remove some waste. While sweat glands have a much weaker role than the kidneys and liver, sweating does remove some unwanted salts and other small molecules. Therefore, moderate sweating is an important part of the regulation of physical health.
2. The normal range of sweating and its influencing factors
The daily sweating of a normal adult is between 500-1000ml, but this value will vary from person to person and is affected by a variety of factors. First of all, changes in the weather have a very large impact on the amount of sweating.
For example, on a hot summer day, sweating may rise to 1500-2000ml. In addition, individual constitution and genetic factors can also contribute to differences in the amount of sweating; Some people are born with more developed sweat glands and may sweat more even in less hot environments.
Environmental factors and how active an individual is can also affect how much sweat they make.
For example, prolonged physical exertion or strenuous exercise can significantly increase sweating. Similarly, the emotional states of the individual – nervousness, anxiety – can also cause sweating, as mood changes stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, which increases the activity of sweat glands.
Understanding the physiological mechanism of sweating and the science behind it can help us better understand that there is no absolute good or bad way to sweat more or less, the key is whether the sweat is appropriate and whether it is in line with your own health.
If you are in doubt about how much you sweat or how you sweat, it is best to consult a professional doctor for evaluation and advice.
3. Excessive sweating may indicate a health problem
Excessive sweating, medically known as hyperhidrosis, is sometimes a health warning that the body is promoting. Excessive sweating may be associated with some underlying health problems, such as hyperthyroidism and diabetes.
Hyperthyroidism is an endocrine disorder in which the thyroid gland secretes too much thyroid hormones, resulting in an accelerated metabolism and increased body heat production, which stimulates the body to dissipate heat by sweating. According to relevant studies, about 60% of patients with hyperthyroidism will have significant sweating symptoms.
Sweating problems in diabetics are associated with poor blood sugar control. High blood sugar can cause nerve damage and affect the function of the autonomic nervous system, which regulates sweat glands.
When the autonomic nerves are damaged, the body's sweating response becomes abnormal, and some people with diabetes experience localized or generalized sweating.
In addition, hypoglycemic states may also cause increased sweating because hypoglycemia stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, leading to increased activity of sweat glands.
4. Insufficient sweating and potential health risks
As opposed to hyperhidrosis, hypohidris can also be a pathological phenomenon that is medically known as hypohidrosis or anhidrosis. Hypohidrosis or no sweating can be caused by a variety of causes, including genetic disorders, skin lesions, side effects of certain medications, and serious chronic conditions.
For example, people with scleroderma may sweat less because of hardening of the skin, which affects the function of sweat glands. Leprosy can also damage skin structures and affect the normal function of sweat glands.
Dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, especially common in chronic diseases such as diabetes and Parkinson's disease, can also lead to decreased activity of sweat glands. In addition, some medications, such as diuretics and anticholinergics, may also inhibit sweat gland activity, causing decreased sweating.
Insufficient sweating not only makes it difficult to regulate body temperature, but it can also increase the risk of heatstroke, especially in hot environments. In addition, a lack of proper sweating may result in certain metabolites and toxins not being excreted effectively in the body.
5. The relationship between sweating and fluid balance
Sweating is not only a way for the body to dissipate heat, but also an important mechanism for maintaining fluid balance. The body's water is mainly ingested through diet and excreted through urine, stool, breathing, and sweat.
Normally, this balance of entry and exit is controlled by the body's delicate regulatory mechanisms. The composition of sweat is mainly water and some electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, etc., which play a key role in the body, such as nerve transmission, muscle contraction, etc.
When sweating increases, there may be an imbalance of water and electrolytes in the body, especially during strenuous exercise or in hot environments, and failure to replenish water and electrolytes in a timely manner can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.
Symptoms of dehydration include thirst, fatigue, dizziness, decreased urine output, etc., and in severe cases, life-threatening such as arrhythmia and shock may occur. Electrolyte imbalances can cause muscle twitches, irregular heartbeats, and abnormal blood pressure.
On the contrary, insufficient sweating may lead to excessive water in the body, affecting the normal circulation and discharge of body fluids, and may increase the burden on the heart and kidneys in the long run.
Therefore, monitoring sweating and adjusting water and electrolyte intake is essential to maintain fluid balance and overall health.
6. The association between sweating and skin health
The skin is the largest organ of the human body, and it is also the most direct barrier between the human body and the external environment. Not only does sweating help regulate body temperature, but it also protects against certain bacteria through the salts and other organic substances in sweat. However, sweating too much or not enough can have an impact on your skin's health.
Excessive sweating can lead to excessive skin humidity, which provides a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi to grow, which increases the risk of skin infections such as sweat spots, athlete's foot, etc.
Excessive sweat can also cause the skin's natural oils to be washed away, affecting the skin's barrier function and making the skin dry and irritated.
Lack of sweating and reduced self-cleaning ability of the skin can lead to clogged pores and cause skin problems such as acne. At the same time, the inactivity of sweat glands can also lead to dry, inelastic skin.
Therefore, maintaining the right amount of sweat not only helps to regulate body temperature, but also helps to maintain the health of the skin.
summary
Sweating, as a physiological response of the human body, plays a variety of roles, from heat dissipation to detoxification to maintaining water and electrolyte balance. Its changes can be a reflection of health conditions, therefore, we need to be sensitive to sweating patterns and seek medical advice as soon as abnormalities are detected.
With proper lifestyle habits and proper medical intervention, we can help the body maintain a healthy balance of sweating, thereby promoting overall health. Remember, the body is the best doctor, and sweating is just one of the many ways it uses to communicate with us. Listening to our body and paying attention to its signals is the first step in our health.