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What Causes Profuse Sweating In An Elderly Person?

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Posted on Fri, 12 May 2017
Question: I am 66 yars old. Within the last 2 years I have started sweating heavily from my brow and back of my head. I'm in sales and its very embarrassing. What can I do?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bhanu Partap (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Need more medical details

Detailed Answer:
Hello Sir,

After going through your medical query, I understand your concern. Here I will try to help you sort out this issue in a simple manner but before that, I would like to know more about your medical history and lifestyle habits which will help me evaluate the scenario accurately.

The details which I would like to know are:

1. Do you have diabetes or not? If yes then how's your sugar control?

2. Do you smoke or not?

3. Any history of hypertension and/or hypothyroidism?

4. Any history of neurological disorders?

5. Have you undergone any medical tests lately? If yes I would like to see the reports. Kindly upload them in attachments section for me to review them.

If not done yet, then I would like to advise you to get following tests done--

A. HBA1c levels to see your sugar control
B. Thyroid function test
C. ECG and 2D-Echocardiography
D. Vitamin B12 levels

Kindly get back to me with the required details. I will be happy to help you further.

Kind Regards
Dr. Bhanu Partap


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Bhanu Partap (41 minutes later)
I don't smoke or have diabetes. I work out at least 4 times per week and don't sweat perfusly then. I do have a blocked artery (100%). But I have collaterals and don't have a stint. I take the following medications:lisinopril 10mg 2x,carvedilol 6.25 mg 1x, Atorvastatin 40mg 1x, and an81 mg aspirin 1x. Have been doing this for about 10 years. I go to my cardiologist twice per year and had nuclear stress test last year which was great. I don't think it's due to stress because I love my job. I live in Corpus XXXXXXX XXXXXXX and it's hot and humid but the swears sometimes comes on in a well air conditioned business. Help!!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bhanu Partap (33 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Thanks for information

Detailed Answer:
Hello Again,

Thanks for this valuable information. As per the information you have provided I would like to suggest you that as you have already been diagnosed with coronary artery disease in the past and now you are continually experiencing the ischaemic symptoms (sweating) so it's highly advisable that you should consult your Cardiologist as soon possible and get your coronaries evaluated by Angiogram because collaterals, as you have mentioned, are probably not being able to fulfil the oxygen demand of your heart causing ischaemia and hence sweating.

Continue with the medicines you are on and please consult your doctor as soon possible.

I hope this information will be helpful and guide you properly. Feel free to ask if you have any other doubts.

Kind Regards
Dr. Bhanu Partap


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Bhanu Partap (34 minutes later)
I will but I don't think that's it because I've had this sweating condition for 2 years and my nuclear was 7 months ago and indicated the blood flow was strong. Also I don't sweat that badly when exercising . Is there anything you could recommend that I could take to reduce the sweating
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bhanu Partap (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Hello Again

Detailed Answer:
If your nuclear stress study was normal 7 months back then we need to think on different grounds for your sweating.

As sweating without any apparent reason is known as HYPERHIDROSIS. Although its quite unusual to develop this at your age. The common sites for hyperhirosis are Palm, soles, Armpit, Head.

Treatment consists of Medical And Surgical Options

Medical treatment includes use of Anticholenergic drugs and is resistant cases use of Botulinum injection locally.

Surgical options includes sympathectomy and radio frequency ablations.

Its Not advisable to prescribe either of the treatment here as to begin with this we need to evaluate the patients physically.

So i would like to advice you to personally consult your treating doctor and discuss this.

Hope to be helpful.

Kind Regards
Dr Bhanu Partap
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
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Answered by
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Dr. Bhanu Partap

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2010

Answered : 4731 Questions

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What Causes Profuse Sweating In An Elderly Person?

Brief Answer: Need more medical details Detailed Answer: Hello Sir, After going through your medical query, I understand your concern. Here I will try to help you sort out this issue in a simple manner but before that, I would like to know more about your medical history and lifestyle habits which will help me evaluate the scenario accurately. The details which I would like to know are: 1. Do you have diabetes or not? If yes then how's your sugar control? 2. Do you smoke or not? 3. Any history of hypertension and/or hypothyroidism? 4. Any history of neurological disorders? 5. Have you undergone any medical tests lately? If yes I would like to see the reports. Kindly upload them in attachments section for me to review them. If not done yet, then I would like to advise you to get following tests done-- A. HBA1c levels to see your sugar control B. Thyroid function test C. ECG and 2D-Echocardiography D. Vitamin B12 levels Kindly get back to me with the required details. I will be happy to help you further. Kind Regards Dr. Bhanu Partap