Overview 

Sweating is a process of releasing water from the body. Medically, it is known as perspiration. Sweating is a natural system to cool down and regulate the body's temperature. But in some conditions, this normal mechanism is hampered, such as excess sweating (hyperhidrosis) or scanty sweating (anhidrosis). 

The connection between hyperhidrosis and dizziness

Hyperhidrosis¹ and dizziness are two different conditions that may not be interlinked with each other all the time. However, in a few case scenarios, the conditions may be linked together by looking at their physiological mechanism.

Let us dig deeper into hyperhidrosis and its connection with dizziness.

Hyperhidrosis² - the unspoken disorder

Hyperhidrosis is the excessive sweating from a few parts of the body or the whole body.

Sweating excessively does not pose any harm to the body unless it becomes awkward, inconvenient, and problematic in doing certain chores in everyday life.

What causes hyperhidrosis?

The exact reason for hyperhidrosis is not known. But depending upon the definable and indefinable cause, hyperhidrosis is of two types –

1. Primary hyperhidrosis - it is not evident what the definite cause of hyperhidrosis is, but it can be related to genetic or nervous system problems 
2. Secondary hyperhidrosis - it may be due to any predisposing medical conditions like low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) or hypothyroidism

Hyperhidrosis affecting different regions of the body is given specific terms such as,

• PALMAR HYPERHIDROSIS – sweating from hands and palms
• PLANTAR HYPERHIDROSIS – sweating from the feet and soles
• AXILLARY HYPERHIDROSIS – sweating from the armpits or underarms

Symptoms of hyperhidrosis

• Sweating more than normal in particular areas of the body or the entire body
• Extremities become cold
• Wetness is noticed on the skin surface and clothes
• Sweating even during cold climatic conditions 

Effect of hyperhidrosis in daily life³

People with hyperhidrosis hurt their social life. The embarrassment and awkwardness one feels while shaking hands, hugging in social gatherings is depressing. One cannot get a grip on objects or while riding a bike. The most distressing or pathetic incident is the dampening finger tips impression left on the floor, laptop, and mobile phones.

Factors that possibly trigger hyperhidrosis are stress, anxiety, any social gatherings, and hot and humid weather.

Dizziness⁴ - the la la land feeling

Dizziness is a feeling of loss of balance, loss of equilibrium, unsteadiness, and faintness. Dizziness is commonly used for two terms: vertigo (spinning of the head) and light-headedness (faintness).

There may be various reasons for dizziness

It can be due to travel sickness, altitude sickness, nausea, morning sickness, some ear problems, reduced blood flow, reduced blood pressure, sudden postural changes, stress, dehydration, and hyperhidrosis.

Inter-connection between dizziness and hyperhidrosis⁵

Let us see how hyperhidrosis and dizziness are linked to each other

1. Decreased blood pressure and hyperhidrosis 

The sympathetic nervous system is popularly known for its flight and fight response. The oversensitive sympathetic nervous system sends signals to the brain to sweat excessively and resulting in dehydration. Dehydration is the main cause of decreased blood pressure and hence leads to dizziness.

2. Anxiety and hyperhidrosis⁶

Hyperhidrosis has a great association with anxiety. There is no wrong in saying that anxiety is a triggering factor for hyperhidrosis.

The longest and 10^th cranial nerve, the vagus nerve, is responsible for relaxing the body when it is under stress. When the vagus nerve is overstimulated, it develops anxious behaviour. An anxious person sweats profusely, leading to dehydration. Dehydration is another cause for dizziness. Anxiety, hyperhidrosis, dehydration, and dizziness, all these conditions are interconnected

3. Electrolyte fluctuation and hyperhidrosis

Sodium and potassium are vital electrolytes responsible for adequate water and nutrient content, help in the proper functioning of nerves and muscles and keep a person stable.

When there is excessive sweating, there is a loss of electrolytes from the body, leading to confusion and delirium in individuals. Loss of electrolytes causes dehydration and dizziness.

Treatment⁷

Hyperhidrosis 

The objective of treating hyperhidrosis is to reduce sweating so that it does not interfere with daily life. Secondary hyperhidrosis can be managed by treating the underlying cause. Whereas primary hyperhidrosis does not have an absolute treatment, but it can be managed to some extent.

1. Topical medications - excessive sweating ( perspiration ) can be controlled by using topical antiperspirants.⁸ These are usually applied at night on washed and dried clean skin. The role of antiperspirants is to temporarily blockage of the sweat glands from producing sweat. Commonly used antiperspirants are – Drysol, Hypercare
2. Medications – orally, medicines⁹ can be taken to reduce sweating. Beta blockers are used to treat anxiety, which indirectly helps to reduce hyperhidrosis. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that carries messages from the brain to the body to perform functions. Acetylcholine also helps in activating the sweat glands to produce sweat. To manage this, anticholinergics are used, which impede acetylcholine directly. Most commonly used drugs are propranolol and glycopyrrolate 
3. Iontophoresis – It is a medical procedure used to reduce sweating, and it is less effective. In this procedure,¹⁰ the affected parts, such as hands or feet, are placed in water and current is passed through them. Sometimes, medications can also be added to get the results faster.
4. Botox treatment – This treatment option is most commonly opted for by film actors. Botox¹¹ is injected in the affected areas, such as underarms, palms, and the sole of an individual, to block the sweat glands. It is the most expensive and effective, with an efficacy of 80 – 90 %. 
5. Surgery – It is the last option after using all the above procedures. Surgically,¹² sweat glands are removed. Another widely used surgical treatment is SYMPATHECTOMY. In this procedure, the nerves which supply the sweat glands are cut. When there is no supply, there is no signal, there is no sweating. 

Dizziness

Dizziness can be treated by managing the underlying cause. If there is an electrolyte imbalance, oral electrolytes should be given. Dehydration can be treated by consuming sufficient water and fruits. 

Natural remedies to treat both conditions¹³

1. Incorporating herbal tea – herbal teas are meant to have calming and soothing effects on the mind and body. Some of the herbal teas used are chamomile tea, lemongrass, ginger tea, and butterfly pea tea
2. Nutrition and diet – consuming a diet that is rich in nutrients, and fruits with more water content to help reduce dizziness and hyperhidrosis
3. Lifestyle modification – breathing exercises and yoga, which calms the mind and body, reduces anxiety and stress, should be done regularly
4. Managing stress and anxiety
5. Avoiding spicy food – spicy food is another cause for excessive sweating. Upon taking spicy food regularly, the sympathetic nervous system gets overactivated, causing hyperhidrosis. Subtle and plain foods are key to reducing sweating

Conclusion

Hyperhidrosis is profuse sweating, and dizziness is a feeling of lightheadedness. Both these conditions are different and not all the time linked to each other. But there are a few physiological mechanisms where hyperhidrosis and dizziness have common factors. These mechanisms include low blood pressure, anxiety, and loss of electrolytes from the body.

The most important symptom of hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating. Excessive sweating removes the vital electrolytes and results in dizziness.

Both these conditions can be treated by seeking help from dermatologists and general physicians, and a normal, embarrassment-free, anxiety-free, social life can be lived.