Sweating may seem like an unattractive, sometimes smelly part of our lives.
We've all been in a sweaty situation before, whether we are doing an intense workout, wearing the wrong kind of outfit for the weather, or talking to someone who makes makes us nervous.
Though it may seem like something that our lives would be better without, sweat actually is an incredibly important part of our body and skin.
Our sweat and glands help to make sure that we don't get overheated as well as serve as a natural detoxifier.
They also serve as a great indicator for good or bad changes going on in our body.
So the next time you are starting to feel sweaty, check in with yourself and observe where you are sweating — and even what it smells like.
Then scroll down below to see what your sweat might be telling you about your body.
What Is Sweat, Anyway?
Sweat is our bodies' built-in cooling system, and there are over 2.6 million sweat glands in our body that help us out when it's hot.
When your body temperature rises through exercise, high temperatures, or stress, your glands will respond by releasing sweat to cool you down.
In addition to keeping you cool, sweat also helps clean our your pores and expel toxins out of your body.
How Is Sweat Connected To Our Health?
Sweat responds to your body's temperature changes and anything that causes you to get hot, whether it's an illness, a stressor, or a hormone change.
This makes it a great indicator of changes inside your body that may need your attention.
Below are a few things that different types of sweat can be telling you about your body.
Your Sweat Could Be Trying To Tell You That... #1: You're Extremely Stressed
We've all sweat in situations that weren't caused by the weather, like when we're nervous, getting stage fright, or talking to someone important.
But did you know that stress sweat and heat sweat come from different glands altogether?
Eccrine sweat is produced all over our body, and it's the type of sweat that keeps us cool in warm temperatures.
Apocrine sweat is secreted when we're stressed, and it produces a thicker, smellier odor.
So if your B.O. is very strong, and lingers for a long time, it might be time to unwind and lower your stress levels.
#2: You're Pregnant — Or Menopausal
These two conditions are very opposite of one another — but they can both cause excessive sweat.
According to Livescience, shifting hormone levels cause your endocrine system to go a bit awry.
This can cause your body temperature regulation system to go off the fritz, making you boiling hot at a moment's notice.
So if you are constantly struggling with your body temperature, you could potentially be pregnant — or, if you're past that age, it could mean that you are getting hot flashes.
#3: You Need To Drink More Water
Prevention.com states if your sweat is stinging your eyes or causing a streaky-what residue on your skin, it could mean that you need to hydrate yourself more.
This could be a sign that you need to drink more water to balance out the contents of the sweat.
It could also mean that you're drinking a lot of alcohol, which can also be combated with more water!
#4: You Are At Risk For Heatstroke
Excess sweat during a run or hike is fine because it's helping you cool down so you don't get heatstroke.
But if you suddenly start to sweat less and begin to get dizzy, nauseous, or confused, it could mean that your body has started to experience heat exhaustion and its temperature-regulating methods are no longer working as well.
If this begins to happen, it's important to find help, stay hydrated, and get to a cooler area.
#5: You Might Have Hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition that causes excessive sweating.
Though it may be hard to tell when sweating gets excessive, hyperhidrosis is usually characterized from an isolated part of the body continuing to become damp.
So if you find yourself sweating excessively from the palms of your hands, the bottoms of your feet, or even your head, this could be a sign of perspiration gone overboard.
#6: You May Need To Adjust Your Diet
If you're constantly smelling a weird, fishy stench coming from skin, you could potentially have a rare genetic ailment called trimethylaminuria.
This is your body's inability to break down trimethylamine, which has a powerful, fishy odor.
If this is the case, you may have to talk to your doctor about avoiding certain foods.
#7: You Might Have A Serious Complication
Excessive sweating, even if you're not working out or straining yourself, could be a sign of heart health problems.
If you're experiencing a lot of mysterious perspiration, it might be time to make an appointment with your doctor.
Sweat may seem unsightly and smelly at times, but it's an important part of our body that can help us better understand what's going on inside.
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