Cold sweat body aches: Cold and Flu Symptoms – WebMD

30.07.202326.06.2023 by alexxlab

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Causes, Treatments, and When to See a Doctor

The weather isn’t hot or humid, you haven’t been working out, and even though there seems to be no external reason for it, you’re sweating. Most people have experienced a cold sweat before, whether you’ve broken out in sweat during a fever, or your palms have gotten clammy when you’re nervous, or maybe you’ve woken up from a nightmare completely drenched. But what causes cold sweats?

Sweating is the body’s natural response to heat or stress. The heat commonly may be generated from internal sources, such as muscle activity or infection, or it can also exist externally from environmental factors or excessive clothing, says David Cutler, M.D., family medicine physician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA. “Stressing the body to elicit a sweating response might occur from emotional, physical, or chemical stressors. Although there are many different causes, the result is sweating or in medical terminology, diaphoresis. ”

When the cause of sweating is excessive internal or external heat, the body is sweating to cool off. This cooling will occur quite naturally because the evaporation of sweat removes heat from the body, explains Dr. Cutler. “In exceptionally dry climates, you might not even feel the sweat because it evaporates so quickly…and in humid climates, the sweat may not evaporate at all, leaving you feeling very sweaty.”

So what are cold sweats, and what does having a cold sweat mean? We spoke to experts in family medicine and primary care to get to the bottom of it.

What are cold sweats?

Sweating is typically a natural, beneficial bodily function: When we’re too hot, we sweat to keep our body temperature in check, explains Nate Wood, M.D., Instructor of Medicine, Section of General Internal Medicine at Yale School of Medicine. “But sometimes, we sweat even when we’re not hot. This is generally what people mean when they talk about ‘cold sweats’. ”

Cold sweats differ from night sweats in that cold sweats usually don’t happen across your entire body and aren’t limited to when you’re in bed or sleeping at night. “Many people often say cold sweats, but what is often found in practice is many individuals are experiencing night sweats associated with chills,” says Tamika Henry, M.D., founder of Unlimited Health Institute. She explains that cold sweats can be defined as “a large amount of sweating that can be in response to decrease the body’s temperature, often followed with feeling chills.”

What causes cold sweats?

It is not uncommon to feel a “cold sweat” when sweating results from a cause other than excessive heat, says Dr. Cutler. Cold sweats can be caused by many things, some of which are not concerning and some of which are very concerning. For this reason, cold sweats can be confusing and distressing for many patients, says Dr. Wood.

Having a “cold sweat” does not necessarily indicate any particular medical condition, says Dr. Cutler. Rather, it simply indicates simultaneous sweating and feeling cold. “Understanding the cause of a ‘cold sweat’ depends on properly understanding the cause of the sweating and simultaneously understanding why there is a feeling of being cold,” he adds.

So, if you start to experience cold sweats and you don’t know yourself to be a quick-to-sweat person, it could mean that something else is going on under the surface. Below are some more potential causes for your sudden bout of cold sweats.

Hyperhidrosis

“Some people just sweat a lot, and seemingly all the time, whether they’re hot or not. This is called ‘primary focal hyperhidrosis,’”says Dr. Wood. He explains that hyperhidrosis is rarely a medical issue, although it can be annoying for those who suffer from it. The areas of the body most commonly affected are the underarms, palms, and soles of the feet, although the face, scalp, and groin may also be affected.

Dr. Wood notes that patients can be reassured if this type of sweating starts before age 25, stops during sleep, and is not associated with any other symptoms.

Fever

This is perhaps the most common culprit of cold sweats. Most of us can remember having the flu, or a particularly bad cold, that resulted in a high fever and chills or miserable cold sweats.

A cold sweat can occur when the body sweats to give off excess heat, but then the ambient temperature drops and cold is felt while the body is still wet with sweat, explains Dr. Cutler. “This could occur if you were sick with a fever causing sweating and also took medication like acetaminophen to lower body temperature.”

Research has shown that fevers are usually responsible for cold sweats due to the associated swings in body temperature.

Menopause

Hot flashes associated with menopause are another potential cause of excessive sweating that many of my friends, family members, and patients have experienced, says Dr. Wood. He adds that although sweating associated with hot flashes wouldn’t generally be considered cold sweats, many people who are going through menopause could have similar symptoms.

It’s important to note that cold sweats aren’t restricted to menopausal women. “Women between the ages of mid 30’s to early 60s can experience changes in their menstrual cycle and menopausal symptoms that can be associated with night sweats and chills,” says Dr. Henry.

Some research has suggested that following a hot flash, body temperature in menopausal women can drastically decline, which could trigger a cold flash and with it, cold sweats.

Medications

“Cold sweats can be a side effect of many medications, including various over-the-counter supplements,” says Dr. Wood.

Research has shown that cold sweats, or excessive sweating in general, can be brought on by taking medications such as cholinesterase inhibitors (medications used for dementia), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (commonly prescribed antidepressants such as Lexapro, Celexa, Zoloft, Paxil and Prozac), opioids (such as OxyContin, Vicodin, and Demerol), and tricyclic antidepressants (such as Elavil and Pamelor).

According to Dr. Henry, cold sweats have been associated with the following medications:

Antidepressants for example Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and Tricyclics
Angiotensin II receptor blockers
Corticosteroids
Estrogen/Androgen modulating agents like gonadotropin-releasing hormones agonists , aromatase inhibitors—”These medications impact estrogen/androgen levels or hormone receptor binding that can lead to hot flashes associated with sweating at any time of the day,” says Dr. Henry.
Hypoglycemic agents—these are medications used to treat diabetes that can lead to low blood sugars and result in excessive sweating

Stress & anxiety

Stress or anxiety caused by overwhelming responsibilities at home, at work, or at school can trigger cold sweats. Dr. Wood notes that cold sweats can be caused by “psychological stress, including panic attacks and social anxiety. ”

Dr. Henry notes that any mood disorders, such as anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and post traumatic stress disorder, can trigger cold sweats.

One study tested how people reacted in a virtual stress environment by measuring the amount of sweat they had secreted, demonstrating how stress itself can bring about cold sweats.

Low blood sugar

Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, occurs when your blood sugar drops below normal levels. Your body reacts to a lack of blood sugar similarly to a lack of oxygen. Dr. Cutler says that your body can also react by breaking out in a cold sweat.

Research has shown that diabetes, both Type 1 and 2, is associated with reduced ability to regulate body temperature under both heat and cold stress, meaning those with diabetes can have difficulty regulating their body temperature.

If you have diabetes and you are experiencing cold sweats, the first step is to check your blood sugar if something feels off. If you are dipping below a threshold you set with your doctor, you should seek emergency medical help right away to restore your blood’s glucose levels. Eating or drinking sugary foods and beverages, such as a meal replacement bar or fruit juice, can also help restore blood sugar in a short amount of time.

Sleep disorders

While many people can experience night sweats without the presence of a sleep disorder, Dr. Henry notes that “sweating has had an indirect association with sleep apnea.”

According to ApneaMed, if you are experiencing chronic night sweats, that could be an indicator of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). However, you also need to be aware of other side effects that you may be experiencing in conjunction with your regular night sweats.

Infections

Many infections, both auto-immune and bacterial, can trigger a bout of cold sweats. According to Dr. Henry, the following infections could be the reason behind your cold sweats:

Acute and chronic infections can cause generalized sweating along with night sweats
Tuberculosis
HIV
COVID
Pneumonia
Bacterial infections like endocarditis, osteomyelitis, mononucleosis

Hyperthyroidism

If you have issues with your thyroid, this could also be a reason for experiencing cold sweats. Hyperthyroidism, specifically, can “lead to total body sweating,” says Dr. Henry.

Research has shown that specific thyroid hormones released in the skin may be the mechanism behind the connection between hyperthyroidism and cold sweats.

Cancer

A more rare reason behind your perspiration, cold sweats can also be a symptom of several types of cancer. Sweating is most commonly associated with Lymphoma (Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin), says Dr. Henry. She adds that leukemia has also been associated with sweating.

According to Cancer Research UK, carcinoid tumors, mesothelioma, bone cancer, and liver cancer are also known to cause you to sweat more than usual.

Heart Attack

Cold sweats can also be a sign of a heart attack. Seek emergency medical help right away if you suddenly have a cold sweat along with any of the following symptoms:

discomfort or pain in your chest that feels like pulling, squeezing, or bloating
difficulty breathing
discomfort or pain in your neck, jaw, stomach, or back
dizziness or lightheadedness
a feeling that you’re going to pass out

How are cold sweats treated?

The treatment for cold sweats depends on the cause, says Dr. Wood. “The goal is to determine the underlying cause and treat accordingly,” says Dr. Henry.

“For patients with primary focal hyperhidrosis, their doctor may offer prescription-strength antiperspirants, Botox injections, or a variety of procedures aimed at treating the affected sweat glands and nerves,” explains Dr. Wood.

As far as some of the other known causes of cold sweats, the treatment is more tailored to the condition that causes the cold sweats, rather than treating the cold sweats themselves.

For example, Dr. Wood explains that “for an overactive thyroid, there are medications to calm it down. For those found to have a bacterial infection, antibiotics will be required. Cancer may be treated with chemotherapy, radiation, and/or surgery. CPAP machines can treat sleep apnea. A variety of medications are available to temper menopausal hot flashes.”

And of course, Dr. Wood notes, heart attacks must be addressed in the emergency room.

When to see your doctor about cold sweats

Cold sweats are something patients should always talk to their doctor about, says Dr. Wood.

Dr. Henry agrees that at any point a person is experiencing night sweats and they are persistent, it’s important to bring it to the attention of their primary care doctor. “The primary care doctor will assess the patient’s degree of night sweats followed by if there is any associated fatigue, sleep disturbances, fever, more than one sensory deficit, muscle cramps or restless legs, uncontrolled pain and mood disorders…The history and physical exam are essential,” she says.

“I would especially encourage patients to make an appointment with their doctor if their cold sweats are new or seem to come out of nowhere,” says Dr. Wood. He adds that you should also be sure to see your doctor if you are experiencing a fast heart rate (greater than 90 beats per minute while at rest), weight loss, or anxiety along with cold sweats, as these can be signs of a thyroid issue.

If you are having cold sweats with fevers, chills, headaches, body pain, or fatigue, you should reach out to your doctor, as Dr. Wood warns that these can be signs of infection. Also, “patients who have cold sweats at night—especially if they also have weight loss, loss of appetite, or swollen glands—should contact their doctors immediately,” says Dr. Wood, as these are common signs of cancer or tuberculosis. Last, but not least, “patients who have sudden-onset cold sweats with chest pain, dizziness, low blood pressure, shortness of breath, or confusion should call an ambulance to be immediately evaluated in the nearest emergency room,” says Dr. Wood, as these can be signs of a heart attack or other serious issue.

The bottom line is that if you are having cold sweats and you’re not sure why, see your primary care physician right away to rule out any serious health concerns.

Signs That Cold Sweats Are an Emergency, According to Doctors

SWEATING AFTER AN INTENSE WORKOUT is completely normal. So is being drenched with sweat after spending time outside on a hot, humid day. But, you’ve probably also broken out into a sweat when you’re not over-exerting or feeling warm.

These cold sweats can occur when you’re nauseous or feeling anxious, and could signal a serious health problem.

Everyone sweats—some people sweat more than others. Your body is covered in sweat glands, and sweating is the body’s natural response to regulate temperature and remove toxins. It usually occurs in response to heat or stress.

Sweating when you’re hot helps your body cool off. The cooling effect happens when the sweat is evaporated from the skin, which removes heat from your body. Sweating is also a common response to stress. The body’s “fight or flight” mode can trigger a release of adrenaline, which causes you to sweat.

“When we talk about cold sweats, most people know this is a different phenomenon from routine sweating from heat or exertion,” says Frank Contacessa, MD, an internal medicine physician at MDVIP in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. “Its causes can range from completely benign to absolutely deadly.”

Cold sweats can be caused by a number of factors—anxiety, pain, hormonal fluctuations, low blood sugar, or infections, he says.

On the serious side, cold sweats can signal a condition, like cancer, especially when you’re sweating at night. Sudden sweating can also be one of the first signs of a heart attack.

So, what exactly are cold sweats, what causes them, and when should you worry? We asked doctors to explain.

What Are Cold Sweats?

Sweating is an important bodily function. It’s the main way the body regulates its temperature. When water, salt, other minerals, and toxins are released from sweat glands, it’s evaporated from the skin’s surface, which cools off the body. If you didn’t sweat, your body would overheat, and you could potentially die. So, sweating is very important!

But, sweating can happen when you’re not feeling hot, which brings us to cold sweats.

The technical name for cold sweats is diaphoresis, and it happens when your body sweats without heat or physical activity, says Sarita Salzberg, MD, a physician with virtual health platform PlushCare.

“When we sweat normally, our body is trying to cool itself down,” she says. “However, cold sweats often occur when we are in fight or flight mode, and our adrenaline kicks in, activating a physical response. ”

Cold sweats can be caused by a number of external or internal factors, like stress or illness. Dr. Salzberg says they’re usually nothing to worry about, though.

Still, you should pay attention to how often they happen and any other symptoms you’re also experiencing, she explains. “Cold sweats can also be a sign of your body telling you something is wrong, and in some cases, it can signal a medical emergency.”

What Do Cold Sweats Feel Like?

You’ve likely experienced cold sweats when you’re feeling stressed or nauseous. Cold sweats most often appear on your palms, armpits, and the soles of your feet.

“Cold sweat symptoms usually include fatigue, chills, and swollen lymph nodes,” Dr. Salzberg says.

But, if you have these symptoms along with cold sweats, she says it’s time to call your doctor:

High fever
Coldness and shivering
Confusion or disorientation
Rapid breathing
Abnormally high pulse
Difficulty breathing
Loss of consciousness

What Causes Cold Sweats?

Several factors can cause cold sweats—sometimes it’s nothing to worry about, while other times you should be very concerned.

The best way to know is to understand your sweating style. Do you sweat a lot in general? Do you always sweat when you’re nervous? If you’re not someone who’s particularly sweaty, breaking out into a sudden cold sweat is something to pay attention to.

Here are some common causes of cold sweats:

Hyperhidrosis

Some people sweat excessively all the time, even when they’re not exercising or even feeling warm. This could be a condition called hyperhidrosis, which is when your sweat glands overreact and produce excess sweat at inopportune times. Sweating might occur all over your body or in specific spots, like your palms, feet, face, or armpits. There’s no cure for the condition, but it can be treated with medications or special antiperspirants.

Stress and anxiety

Everyone deals with stress, and sweating can be a side effect. Cold sweats might also be a response to a specific stressful situation, like public speaking or a job interview. The body’s fight or flight response triggers the release of adrenaline, which activates your sweat glands. Dr. Salzberg says finding ways to reduce stress in your life, such as by journaling or making time for activities you enjoy, is just as good for your physical health as it is for your mental health.

Nausea

When you’re feeling sick to your stomach, your nervous system raises your heart rate, which can make you sweat. Usually, your cold sweats will go away after you throw up or once your nausea passes. But, if you experience blurry vision, weakness, or difficulty walking or speaking, too, contact your doctor.

Medications

Medications can come with a range of side effects, and cold sweating is one of them. Research shows that sweating can be triggered by a number of different medications, including antidepressants, hypoglycemic agents, SSRIs, opioids, and hormone-blocking drugs.

Hormonal changes

Changes in hormonal levels, such as low testosterone levels, can interfere with the body’s temperature regulation and cause sweating. Hot flashes and sweating are also common during menopause.

Infections

Infections, which may be caused by bacteria or a virus, trigger your immune system to fight. This can cause sweating. Pneumonia, the flu, Covid-19, tuberculosis, mononucleosis, and HIV are infections that might increase sweating. Contact your doctor if you also have a high fever, difficulty breathing, or a high heart rate.

Fever

Whether you have a cold, stomach bug, or other illness, having a fever is a natural response, and it’ll likely make you sweat, while also feeling chilly. Research shows that fever causes your body temperature to fluctuate, and that’s why you sweat.

Pain

Extreme pain, of any kind, can trigger cold sweating, Dr. Contacessa says. If you break a bone or get hit in the head, your organs may not get the oxygen they need as your body deals with the pain. This can cause you to sweat. The sweating can increase if your body goes into shock as a result. Stopping the pain will usually help stop the cold sweats.

Certain cancers

Some types of cancer are linked to sweating, especially when it occurs while you sleep, Dr. Contacessa says. Lymphoma, leukemia, prostate cancer, bone cancer, and liver cancer are associated with sweating. “If it’s happening every night for more than a few days, you should see your doctor to evaluate for certain kinds of cancer,” he says.

Low blood sugar

Low blood sugar, also known as hypoglycemia, happens when your blood sugar drops, and one of the ways the body reacts is by sweating, Dr. Contacessa says. Cold sweats may be especially common with diabetes, as research shows that type 1 and 2 diabetes make it difficult for the body to regulate its temperature.

Heart attack

A sudden bout of sweating can be one of the first signs of a heart attack, and it’s often overlooked. “When experiencing cold sweats with a heart attack, you will most likely feel other symptoms,” Dr. Salzberg says. These include dizziness, difficulty breathing, or discomfort in the back, neck, jaw, or stomach. You’ll also feel chest pain or discomfort that feels like pulling or squeezing. If you have any of these symptoms, go to the emergency room immediately.

When Should You Worry About Your Cold Sweats?

When you have cold sweats, always pay attention to other symptoms you’re experiencing at the same time, Dr. Salzberg says.

“The key to knowing when to worry is to look at the whole picture of what’s going on,” Dr. Contacessa says. “The sweats occurring without any other symptoms or factors is usually benign. It could be stress or hormonal. If the cold sweats occur along with other symptoms or risk factors, then you should consider getting further evaluation or care.”

Cold sweats that happen all the time or come along with fever, a rapid pulse, chest pain, difficulty breathing, or dizziness are signs that you should call your doctor.

How Are Cold Sweats Treated?

There’s no specific treatment for cold sweats on their own, Dr. Contacessa says. Instead, doctors will examine you, do blood work, and maybe a few other tests to find out what’s causing the cold sweats, and treat the cause.

“The bottom line is to be smart and listen to your body,” he says. “If the sweats happen repeatedly or along with other signs like chest pain, shortness of breath, or dizziness, you should get help as soon as possible. ”

Erica Sweeney

Erica Sweeney is a writer who mostly covers health, wellness and careers. She has written for The New York Times, HuffPost, Teen Vogue, Parade, Money, Business Insider and many more.

Cold sweat – causes, diagnosis and treatment

Cold sweat is excessive sweating, which is accompanied by cold skin, chills. The symptom occurs against the background of weakness, dizziness. There are various reasons for the development of cold sweat: disorders of the autonomic nervous system, blood loss and other emergency conditions, endocrine and cardiac diseases. To identify the cause of the disorder, ECG, echocardiography, ultrasound, x-ray imaging methods, and laboratory tests are used. To eliminate cold sweat, the underlying disease is treated.

Causes of cold sweat

Severe stress

The body’s defense reaction to any stressful situation is the release of adrenal medulla hormones (mainly adrenaline). This substance constricts the blood vessels of the skin and activates the sweat glands. A person feels profuse cold sweat, which appears in the form of drops, more often in the head area, and sometimes can drain in trickles. Such a manifestation is characteristic of the strongest emotional upheavals. Short-term sweating during stress is a variant of the norm, but when it is combined with dizziness, pre-syncope, medical assistance is needed.

Migraine

Throws a person into a cold sweat at the height of a pain attack. In addition to severe headaches, the patient feels lightheadedness, weakness, and general sweating is observed. Hands and feet are cold, damp, sweat may run down the face and neck. This condition persists throughout the migraine attack and disappears on its own after the pain stops. Severe pain provokes excessive production of adrenaline, which causes sweating. Unpleasant symptoms are aggravated by exposure to light and sound stimuli.

Vegetovascular dystonia (VVD)

This is a common cause of cold sweat, especially in young, emotionally labile patients. A person with VVD reports that attacks of increased sweating have a different frequency – from several times a month to several times a day. Sweating is provoked by staying in a stuffy room, excitement. Patients note that the symptom is combined with severe weakness, dizziness, some people think that they are about to faint. Cold sweat is released all over the body, sweating of the palms, head, and armpits is most pronounced.

Diabetes mellitus

In diabetic patients, cold sweating most often develops against the background of a decrease in blood glucose levels. Often a symptom is observed with long breaks between meals, erroneous administration of more insulin. At first there is a strong feeling of hunger, then on the face, the body sweats profusely, while the limbs are very pale and cold. Increased sweating is sometimes accompanied by motor excitement, a feeling of fear. The condition requires emergency care, as hypoglycemia can turn into a coma.

Cardiac pathology

Cold sticky sweat, which is caused by the ingestion of a large amount of stress hormones into the blood, appears on the skin during myocardial infarction. The symptom appears against the background of sharp pains in the chest with irradiation to the shoulder blade or left arm. In addition to pain, there is pronounced weakness, coldness of the extremities, cold perspiration appears on the face and body. The patient is very pale, verbal reactions may be inhibited. Sometimes the cause of cold sweat is the development of acute heart failure with a sharp drop in pressure and activation of the sympathetic nervous system.

Bleeding

Loss of a large amount of blood (more than 10% of BCC) is always accompanied by a violation of the general condition. With external bleeding from large vessels, cold sweat occurs immediately after an injury, its appearance is due to both neurohumoral disorders and a strong emotional shock from the type of blood. With massive internal bleeding, hemorrhages in the abdominal or pleural cavity, sticky sweat, a sharp cooling of the skin, and diffuse cyanosis are observed. Profuse blood loss can lead to loss of consciousness.

Infectious diseases

Cold sweat usually occurs at bedtime, or the patient wakes up at night with severe chills and notices increased sweating. The development of a symptom is associated with intoxication of the body with particles of bacterial or viral agents, an increase in body temperature. In some infections, complaints of prolonged perspiration (more than 1 month), cold extremities are typical. Abundant sweat can be combined with muscle trembling, weakness. Cold sweating is characteristic of diseases such as:

Bacterial infections : pneumonia, tuberculosis, sepsis, etc.
Viral processes : influenza, infectious mononucleosis, hemorrhagic fever (Crimea-Congo, Marburg, Ebola).
Parasitic infestations : malaria, toxoplasmosis.
HIV infection .

Withdrawal syndrome

Profuse cold sweats, which are predominantly observed at night, occur in people who are dependent on alcohol and drugs. Perspiration appears 2-3 days after the cessation of the use of these psychoactive substances. Sometimes the sweat is so profuse that the sheets and pillowcases get soaked through, and the person suffering from withdrawal symptoms has to change bedding in the middle of the night. Increased sweating is accompanied by aching and burning sensation throughout the body, weakness, severe headaches. Characterized by irritability, emotional instability.

Emergencies

There are many acute conditions in which cold sweats can occur. Perspiration always appears with severe damage to internal organs, in which the nervous regulation changes, there is a sharp release of biologically active compounds into the blood. At the same time, the skin turns pale sharply, the nasolabial triangle, nails, fingertips acquire a bluish tint. Sticky sweat appears on the entire surface of the body. Concomitant symptoms depend on the cause that provoked the appearance of cold sweat. With profuse sweating and cold extremities occur:

Critical conditions : acute respiratory or hepatic failure, renal colic.
Pathology of the gastrointestinal tract : peritonitis, strangulated hernia, thrombosis of mesenteric vessels.
Diseases of the pelvic organs : ovarian apoplexy, tubal pregnancy, uterine perforation.
Neurological disorders : concussion, subdural or epidural hematomas, stroke.

Rare causes

Oncological diseases : lymphogranulomatosis, non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas, acute and chronic leukemias.
Idiopathic hyperhidrosis .
Endocrine pathology : hypothyroidism, chronic insufficiency of the adrenal cortex.
Cardiac arrhythmias : Morgagni-Adams-Stokes syndrome, paroxysmal tachycardia, QT prolongation syndrome.

Diagnosis

A general practitioner or an internist is responsible for finding out the factors that cause excessive sweating. The main task of the examination is to detect the main cause – pathology, one of the symptoms of which is cold sweat. Diagnostic search involves laboratory and instrumental methods for assessing the general condition of the body and the functioning of individual organs. The following studies are considered the most valuable:

Cardiac diagnostics . To exclude cardiac causes of the origin of cold sweat, an electrocardiogram is recorded in standard leads. The recording evaluates the voltage of the teeth, the size of the intervals between them. If pathological signs are detected, echocardiography is performed to clarify the diagnosis.
Neurological examination . Standard research includes checking deep and superficial reflexes, skin dermographism. To exclude vegetovascular disorders, the Danini-Ashner phenomenon and an orthostatic test are used. In some situations, an electroencephalogram recording is recommended.
Functional tests . Methods are used when idiopathic hyperhidrosis is presumably considered as the main cause that provoked cold sweat. The amount of perspiration is estimated using evapometry and gravimetry. To measure the area and intensity of hyperhidrosis, Minor’s test (iodine-starch test) is performed.
Imaging methods . During the initial examination of patients with complaints of cold sweat, ultrasound of the abdominal cavity and small pelvis is informative. In the presence of concomitant symptoms, an X-ray examination of the chest and abdomen is indicated. Sometimes a CT scan or MRI is prescribed.
Analyzes . A clinical blood test can detect signs of infectious diseases, which are often manifested by cold sweating. A coagulogram is performed in the presence of bleeding. In all cases of the disorder, a biochemical blood test with a proteinogram, measurement of fasting glucose is recommended.

The presence of a general infectious syndrome is an indication for bacteriological examination and performing serological tests to identify the type of pathogen (RIF, ELISA, PCR). With prolonged sweating, it is necessary to determine the concentration of insulin, thyroid hormones and adrenal cortex. To examine patients with cold sweat, other specialists (endocrinologist, phthisiatrician, oncologist) may be involved.

Treatment

Help before diagnosis

Cold sweat can be a sign of various diseases, so only a doctor can determine the exact causes of unpleasant symptoms. Before establishing the cause of sweating, it is recommended to take a hygienic shower regularly and change bed linen more often. With strong sweating, sedatives are used that normalize the functioning of the nervous system. If cold sweat arose against the background of severe weakness or dizziness, the patient should be seated, provided with air, and when fainting, give a sniff of ammonia.

First aid in critical conditions

Conservative therapy

Treatment depends on the underlying cause of excessive sweating. In critical conditions, resuscitation, oxygen support and the introduction of infusion glucose-salt solutions are required. In the case of a satisfactory condition, drug therapy is carried out. Cold sweat caused by autonomic dysfunction is treated with the use of physiotherapy and psychotherapy. The treatment regimen may include the following drug groups:

Sedatives . Means are effective when cold sweat is associated with disorders of the nervous system. Both herbal and synthetic medicines are used. In difficult situations, resort to “daytime” tranquilizers.
Analgesics . The occurrence of cold clammy sweat associated with pain requires the appointment of non-narcotic painkillers. With severe pain, traumatic shock, opioid analgesics are used.
Antibacterials . Medicines help eliminate sweating associated with infectious diseases. For tuberculosis, specific long-term treatment regimens are used with combinations of several anti-tuberculosis drugs.
Thrombolytics . The drugs are prescribed to patients with myocardial infarction, against which cold sweat occurs. They allow you to restore the blood supply to the heart muscle and significantly reduce the period of convalescence.

Surgical treatment

In case of cold sweat caused by severe organic lesions of the internal organs, surgical intervention is indicated. Diseases accompanied by an “acute abdomen” require laparotomy, revision and sanitation of the abdominal cavity. In case of pathology of the organs of the reproductive system in women, resection of the altered tissue is performed with the preservation of childbearing function; with extensive lesions, oophorectomy and adnexectomy are necessary. Bone marrow transplantation is possible for leukemias and lymphomas.