What is the Difference Between Diaphoresis and Hyperhidrosis

The key difference between diaphoresis and hyperhidrosis is that diaphoresis is a condition that causes excessive sweating mainly due to an underlying medical condition or a medication, while hyperhidrosis is a condition that causes excessive sweating mainly due to a problem with the part of the nervous system that controls sweating.

Sweating is the way the body cools down and gets rid of some chemicals. Sometimes, heavy sweating is normal. A person may sweat when he gets frightened or does exercises in hot weather. Generally, excessive sweating is normal for teenagers and for women in menopause. But some people have a condition that makes them sweat too much. There are different causes for this condition, such as nervous system problems, underlying medical conditions or medications, etc. Diaphoresis and hyperhidrosis are two medical conditions that cause excessive sweating.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Diaphoresis 
3. What is Hyperhidrosis
4. Similarities – Diaphoresis and Hyperhidrosis
5. Diaphoresis vs Hyperhidrosis in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Diaphoresis vs Hyperhidrosis

What is Diaphoresis?

Diaphoresis is a medical condition that describes excessive sweating in relation to the environment and activity level. Typically, it tends to affect the entire body rather than a part of the body. Sometimes, this condition is also called secondary hyperhidrosis. Diaphoresis is associated with a broad range of conditions and other factors, from sleep apnoea to sepsis. The possible causes of this condition may include pregnancy, menopause, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, heart attack, some type of cancers (lymphoma, leukemia, bone cancer, carcinoid tumors, and liver cancer), anaphylaxis, withdrawal from drugs or alcohol, and medications (pain medications, antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, antidepressants, and hormonal medications). The signs and symptoms may include excessive sweating exercise that usually occurs on large, generalized areas of the body without typical triggers like warm weather. The other symptoms associated with diaphoresis are palpitation, nervousness, weight loss, dizziness, anxiety, temporary loss of vision, and extreme fatigue.

Diaphoresis is generally diagnosed through physical examinations and sweat tests. Furthermore, treatment for this condition is through medications like methimazole, propylthiouracil radioactive iodine or radioactive thyroid ablation for hyperthyroidism, management and lifestyle modifications for diabetes, hormone replacement therapy for menopause, adjusting the dose, or using alternative medicines for medication-induced diaphoresis.

What is Hyperhidrosis?

Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition that causes excessive sweating, which is not always related to heat or exercise. Hyperhidrosis is mainly caused by a faulty nerve signal that triggers exocrine sweat glands to become overactive. This type particularly runs in the family. On the other hand, in rare cases, hyperhidrosis is caused by diabetes, menopause, hot flashes, thyroid problems, some type of cancer, nervous system disorders, and infections or by taking pain relievers, antidepressants, diabetes medications, and hormonal medications. The sign and symptoms of hyperhidrosis may include visible sweating, sweating interfering with everyday activities, skin turning soft and/or white, peeling in certain areas, and skin infections.

Hyperhidrosis can be diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, lab tests (blood test or urine test), iodine starch test, and sweat test. Furthermore, the treatment options for hyperhidrosis may include medications (prescription antiperspirant (aluminium chloride), prescription creams and wipes (glycopyrrolate), nerve-blocking medications, antidepressants, botulinum toxin injections, and surgical procedures (iontophoresis, microwave therapy, sweat gland removal, nerve surgery (sympathectomy).

What are the Similarities Between Diaphoresis and Hyperhidrosis?

• Diaphoresis and hyperhidrosis are two medical conditions that cause excessive sweating.
• Diaphoresis is sometimes known as secondary hyperhidrosis.
• Both conditions can be diagnosed through physical examination.
• They are treated through specific medications.

What is the Difference Between Diaphoresis and Hyperhidrosis?

Diaphoresis is a condition that causes excessive sweating mainly due to an underlying medical condition or a medication, while hyperhidrosis is a condition that causes excessive sweating mainly due to a problem with the part of the nervous system that controls sweating. Thus, this is the key difference between diaphoresis and hyperhidrosis. Furthermore, diaphoresis is a less common condition, while hyperhidrosis is a more common condition.

The following table summarizes the difference between diaphoresis and hyperhidrosis.

Summary – Diaphoresis vs Hyperhidrosis

Sweating is the process of cooling down the body. However, excessive sweating is a medical condition that should be treated. Diaphoresis and hyperhidrosis are two medical conditions that cause excessive sweating. Diaphoresis is a condition that causes excessive sweating mainly due to an underlying medical condition or a medication, while hyperhidrosis is a condition that causes excessive sweating mainly due to a problem with the part of the nervous system that controls sweating. So, this summarizes the difference between diaphoresis and hyperhidrosis

Reference:

1. Morris, Susan York. “Diaphoresis: Causes, Treatment, and More.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 1 Feb. 2019.
2. “Hyperhidrosis.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 16 Sept. 2022.

Image Courtesy:

1. “SerotoninSyndrome” By By Beckie Palmer – NCBI (CC BY 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “TranspirationPerspirationCommonsFL”  Minghong (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia