Excessive Sweating May Be an Early Sign of This Common Neurological Issue

As you get older, you may notice yourself perspiring more than you did when you in your younger years. This could be due to a number of factors: Menopause, medications, sensitivity to diet changes, and more. However, doctors say that excessive sweating could be an early sign that you have Parkinson’s disease, making it all the more important to bring up this symptom at your next check-up.

Parkinson’s is a disorder caused by damage to nerve cells in the brain. It’s a progressive disease that gets worse over time, and while there are treatment options, there’s currently no cure. Many people know to look out for more typical symptoms of the condition, such as hand tremors, slowed movements, poor balance, and speech alteration. But signs like excessive sweating aren’t as widely associated with Parkinson’s. That’s often due to the fact that it can be so easily explained away. And because the disease also affects the senses, like smell, some people might not even realize they have a problem. That said, temperature regulation is one of many bodily functions that’s affected by progressive nerve damage, so it’s not one to ignore.

If you’ve already been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, excessive sweating could also be a sign that your medicine has worn off or that you may need to switch prescriptions or treatments. That’s all the more reason to make note of it the next time you have a check-in and to not ignore it as time goes on.

No matter what though, it’s important to bring up this issue — and any others you’re noticing! — with your doctor any time you go in for an appointment. Your excessive sweating could be just a sign of getting older, or it may lead to a bigger medical diagnosis, whether that’s Parkinson’s or something else. Regardless, it’s better to be safe than sorry!