Understanding the Connection Between Obesity and Excessive Sweating
For patients with obesity, surgery can be more complex due to added challenges with anesthesia and the procedure itself. For example, the increased fatty tissue in the chest or in the lumbar region for obese patients can make isolating the nerve difficult, which can compromise the ability to proceed with a safe operation. Obesity may not rule out a patient’s candidacy for surgery, but it can affect how the procedure is performed. Ultimately, each patient’s case is unique and should be carefully reviewed with your surgeon.
The relationship between obesity and excessive sweating extends beyond surgical considerations. Excess body weight creates additional thermal stress on the body, requiring the sweat glands to work harder to maintain normal body temperature. This increased workload often results in more frequent and intense sweating episodes throughout daily activities.
How Weight Affects Hyperhidrosis Symptoms
Obesity can interfere with the body’s ability to dissipate heat because fatty tissue acts as an insulator. As a result, the body may need to sweat more to maintain temperature balance. This added thermal stress activates the sympathetic nervous system, prompting sweat glands to work more often, especially in areas with a high concentration of glands, such as the underarms, palms, and feet.