Sweating the small stuff and the big stuff

Photo Copyright:  http://www.medimanage.com/

Sweating has gotten a bad reputation when it is actually something that provides natural protection to the human body.

At times sweating might be uncomfortable and unattractive, especially if it stains or damages favorite articles of clothing; or occurs when we are trying to look our very best.

But sweating is something we really do not want our bodies to completely rid themselves of.  Ever. 

According to Medline Plus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, the following may be common reasons sweat glands become activated:

• Alcohol
• Caffeine
• Cancer
• Certain medicines, including thyroid hormone, morphine, drugs to reduce fevers, and medicines to treat      mental disorders
• Emotional or stressful situations (anxiety)
• Exercise
• Fever
• Infection
• Low blood sugar
• Menopause
• Overactive thyroid gland
• Spicy foods (known as "gustatory sweating")
• Warm temperatures
• Withdrawal from alcohol or narcotic pain killers

Giving attention to good personal hygiene habits, drinking lots of water, and controlling environmental temperatures whenever possible can help reduce or eliminate excessive sweating.

Extreme cases of chronic sweating outside of the reasons shared by Medline Plus may warrant a visit to a medical doctor or dermatologist for diagnosis and treatment.

Making annual visits to a primary care physician for regular physical examinations and complete blood work is another good idea for all of us if we want to prevent illnesses vs. having to repair health problems after they've had a chance to manifest in our bodies.

In addition, we do need to keep in mind that our bodies natural mechanisms are programmed to help us through typical and/or inevitable periods of sweating…sweating of both the small stuff and the big stuff in our everyday lives.

Sharon M. Biggs, M.A., is a wife, mother, and 21st Century educational leader & school district administrator who serves as Co-Chair & President of Lifeline Foundation, Inc.  This 24-year educator is also Founder, Editor, and Chief Writer of LifelineExtensions.blog.  View other published works at http://www.examiner.com/.   Contact Sharon directly for more information: smbiggs@mylifelinefoundation.org.

"Children are the globe's most precious commodity." (Terence H. Biggs, Jr. ~ 2009)