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What Causes Excessive Sweating On Face And Head?
Question: I am 74 years old. I have a problem with excessive sweating on my face and head. I am talking dripping from my hair and face. It has happened just sitting in church or watching t.v., Generally when it happens I am not doing anything strenuous. My blood pressure isn't high, 118/70 at last regular appointment and my cholesterol is 124.
Brief Answer:
Sweating
Detailed Answer:
Sorry to learn about your profuse sweating episodes.
I see your thyroid tested fine.
There is a rare condition called pheochromocytoma which can cause such episodes of sweating in addition to other symptoms.
There is a simple blood test to screen for this called 'Plasma free metanephrines'. You can do this test at anytime of the day. Fasting is not required. Prefer to do it on a day when you experience an episode.
There is another rare condition called Acromegaly which can result in excessive sweating. The screening test for this is a blood test called IGF1.
Lastly, menopausal hot flashes can occur at any age too.
Sweating
Detailed Answer:
Sorry to learn about your profuse sweating episodes.
I see your thyroid tested fine.
There is a rare condition called pheochromocytoma which can cause such episodes of sweating in addition to other symptoms.
There is a simple blood test to screen for this called 'Plasma free metanephrines'. You can do this test at anytime of the day. Fasting is not required. Prefer to do it on a day when you experience an episode.
There is another rare condition called Acromegaly which can result in excessive sweating. The screening test for this is a blood test called IGF1.
Lastly, menopausal hot flashes can occur at any age too.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I had a hysterectomy at age 25, following a C section birth as the result of placenta preveia. Could it still be menopausal hot flashes?
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Generally hysterectomy alone does not cause hot flashes because female hormones are made by the ovaries. So if the ovaries were left intact, then menopause does not occur after a hysterectomy.
In this case, menopause would still occur at the global average age of around 52. Hot flashes can occur at that time and anytime later, although typically in the first few years after 52
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Generally hysterectomy alone does not cause hot flashes because female hormones are made by the ovaries. So if the ovaries were left intact, then menopause does not occur after a hysterectomy.
In this case, menopause would still occur at the global average age of around 52. Hot flashes can occur at that time and anytime later, although typically in the first few years after 52
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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