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What Does Excessive Sweating In An Elderly Person Indicate?
Question: my mother is 79 year-old and this has been going on for a long time and our family doctor just tells her she's getting old. but my mom breaks out in a sweat when she is hardly doing anything. even putting on makeup. her hair will be soaked in the back, it will be running Dow her face. sometimes she will have to change her shirt before we leave because it will so wet. when I do her makeup I try to have a,fan on to keep her dry. plus she will so cool and clammy. I've tried talking to our Dr about because this just isn't right. do you have any thoughts. please!!!
Brief Answer:
Sweating
Detailed Answer:
I am sorry to note this problem of your mother.
There can a few medical reasons for this. If none is found then it is likely she has an unexplained individual tendency for this which does happen in some people:
1 Over-active thyroid
Checking her TSH will help us know if she has thyroid condition. It is a blood test that can be done at anytime of the day and does not require fasting
2 Acromegaly
A fairly uncommon common condition. IGF1 is a screening blood test for this. Again no fasting necessary and so it can be done at any time also.
3 Pheochromocytoma
Another rare condition which causes spells of sweating along with high blood pressure, headache and chest pain/shortness of breath. A blood test called Plasma Free Metanephrines is a good way to start.
4 Menopausal hot flashes
I see she is 79 but sometimes these can (re)occur at any age.
Sweating
Detailed Answer:
I am sorry to note this problem of your mother.
There can a few medical reasons for this. If none is found then it is likely she has an unexplained individual tendency for this which does happen in some people:
1 Over-active thyroid
Checking her TSH will help us know if she has thyroid condition. It is a blood test that can be done at anytime of the day and does not require fasting
2 Acromegaly
A fairly uncommon common condition. IGF1 is a screening blood test for this. Again no fasting necessary and so it can be done at any time also.
3 Pheochromocytoma
Another rare condition which causes spells of sweating along with high blood pressure, headache and chest pain/shortness of breath. A blood test called Plasma Free Metanephrines is a good way to start.
4 Menopausal hot flashes
I see she is 79 but sometimes these can (re)occur at any age.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
she's had thyroid tests and those are in normal ranges and it's not like hot flashes. I've kind of ruled those out...
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Noted.
Well she can be screened for the possibility of the other two. But it would make more sense to first have a physical examination to see if there is a need to test for the other two conditions.
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Noted.
Well she can be screened for the possibility of the other two. But it would make more sense to first have a physical examination to see if there is a need to test for the other two conditions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
her skin is so clammy 90% of the time. that concerns me
Brief Answer:
Second follow up
Detailed Answer:
I understand. However, if her pulse rate and blood pressure are within normal limits then it should not be of too much concern. Sweating is typically followed by evaporation which cools off the skin giving the clammy feel.
Second follow up
Detailed Answer:
I understand. However, if her pulse rate and blood pressure are within normal limits then it should not be of too much concern. Sweating is typically followed by evaporation which cools off the skin giving the clammy feel.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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