ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the medical condition of sweating. Sweating is a normal physiological mechanism whereby the secretion of fluid on to the skin cools the body. The severity of sweating is influenced by the environment, and what is regarded as 'normal' is very variable. Disease involving the hypothalamus or pituitary gland is a rare cause of sweating. Sometimes a rare 'hemibody' flushing and sweating is seen, where one side of the body is red and sweaty and the other side is normal. Night sweats are particularly associated with lymphomas and lung cancer. Sweating increases insensitive fluid loss. To counteract this, doctors should encourage a realistic fluid intake. Some common causes of sweat includes: Disseminated malignancy, especially liver and kidney secondaries; Lymphomas; Sepsis and Sex hormone insufficiency.
