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What Causes Sweaty Upper Body?

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Posted on Wed, 8 Oct 2014
Question: I'm almost always hot and sweaty in my upper body. What could cause this?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
??Most likely hormonal cause, elaborately evaluate

Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. In most cases, a hot and sweaty upper body is considered to be perfectly normal, not requiring treatment of any kind. But it is important to note that there do exist medical conditions that can result in such a presentation.

Circulatory abnormalities could be the cause for such a presentation; but taking into consideration your age and sex, a hormonal cause would be more likely as hot flashes are common in women peri- and post-menopause. Thus I would recommend the following:

-Complete blood count
-Hormonal level check
-Blood coagulation profile
-Complete cardiovascular evaluation (EKG, 2D echo, cardiac enzymes, etc.)
-Antinuclear antibodies (ANA)
-Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
and other investigations your doctor might think necessary after a physical examination and detailed consultation.

If at all, all the investigations return normal then there is nothing to worry about as the central portion of the body responsible for circulating blood to all the parts of the body is the heart. Blood circulation helps in passing heat to the body along with its other functions, which is why the peripheries are usually cooler than the center. For this simple reason, your upper body could be warmer and more sweaty than the lower body.

I hope you find my response helpful and informative. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help you.

Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
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Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (40 minutes later)
This is a new presentation for me as I had a hysterectomy at 37 and never have had hot flashes. I'm hot to the point I cannot sleep well. My body doesn't seem to recognize the actual temp of the room
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Nothing to worry about ma'am, easily treatable

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.

Yes, that does sound like a hot flash. This is of course harmless, and is not to cause any concern. But if at all it causes you discomfort or stress then you can visit your doctor who will put you on hormonal supplements which will help reduce or completely suppress your hot flashes. Do not worry ma'am, this is a minor and common issue experienced by most women either immediately around menopause or much later in life. In my opinion, you are quite lucky to not have to deal with this much earlier in life as I know women who have had to deal with hot flashes since the age of 40-45 years.

Please do schedule an appointment with your doctor at your earliest convenience for adequate management of your presentation. I hope you find my response helpful. Please do not hesitate to write back to me for anything, at any point of time.

Best wishes.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Answered by
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Dr. Shoaib Khan

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 9409 Questions

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What Causes Sweaty Upper Body?

Brief Answer: ??Most likely hormonal cause, elaborately evaluate Detailed Answer: Hello ma'am and welcome. Thank you for writing to us. I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. In most cases, a hot and sweaty upper body is considered to be perfectly normal, not requiring treatment of any kind. But it is important to note that there do exist medical conditions that can result in such a presentation. Circulatory abnormalities could be the cause for such a presentation; but taking into consideration your age and sex, a hormonal cause would be more likely as hot flashes are common in women peri- and post-menopause. Thus I would recommend the following: -Complete blood count -Hormonal level check -Blood coagulation profile -Complete cardiovascular evaluation (EKG, 2D echo, cardiac enzymes, etc.) -Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) -Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and other investigations your doctor might think necessary after a physical examination and detailed consultation. If at all, all the investigations return normal then there is nothing to worry about as the central portion of the body responsible for circulating blood to all the parts of the body is the heart. Blood circulation helps in passing heat to the body along with its other functions, which is why the peripheries are usually cooler than the center. For this simple reason, your upper body could be warmer and more sweaty than the lower body. I hope you find my response helpful and informative. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help you. Best wishes.