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Hello. I am Dr. Hwang Sang-cheol, a specialist in the research and treatment of the autonomic nervous system.
“Doctor, my hands are all sweaty even though it’s winter.”
“Whenever I get nervous, sweat just pours down my face.”
“Even shaking hands with people makes me feel uncomfortable.”
This is something I often hear from patients with hyperhidrosis when I see them in my office.
Hyperhidrosis is not merely a condition characterized by excessive sweating. It often has a significant impact not only on daily life but also on interpersonal relationships and self-confidence.
However, when we talk about it in a little more detail, we find that there are certain lifestyle habits they all have in common.
They often go to bed late, spend a lot of time on their smartphones, and maintain a posture where their neck and shoulders are hunched forward for long periods.
Is there really a link between sleep and posture and hyperhidrosis?
Today, I’ll explain this from the perspective of the autonomic nervous system.
Why does hyperhidrosis occur?
Sweat secretion in our bodies is influenced by the autonomic nervous system.
In particular, the sympathetic nervous system plays a role in regulating body temperature and stimulating the sweat glands in response to stressful situations.
Normally, it is activated when you exercise or are in a hot environment.
However, if the sympathetic nervous system is overactive for no particular reason, you may sweat more than necessary.
In fact, many people with hyperhidrosis experience symptoms that worsen when they are nervous or stressed.
In such cases, it is necessary to consider not just a problem with the sweat glands themselves, but also a state of overstimulation of the autonomic nervous system.
Why Staying Up Late Makes You Sweat
“What does sleep have to do with sweat?”
Many people find this puzzling.
However, from the perspective of the autonomic nervous system, this is a very important issue.
Our bodies function according to a circadian rhythm in which we are active during the day and recover at night.
As the sun sets and night falls, activity in the sympathetic nervous system decreases and the parasympathetic nervous system becomes active, causing the body to switch to rest mode.
However, if you stay awake past midnight or your sleep schedule is irregular, this rhythm begins to break down.
The body remains in a state of tension without getting enough rest, and the sympathetic nervous system may remain highly activated.
During this process, changes such as an increased heart rate, impaired body temperature regulation, fatigue, and increased sweating may occur.
In fact, there are quite a few patients with hyperhidrosis whose symptoms improve after adjusting their sleep habits.
That is why I emphasize to patients with hyperhidrosis that getting regular sleep is very important.
The Effects of Smartphones and Posture on the Autonomic Nervous System
Smartphones have become an indispensable part of modern life.
The problem lies not in the smartphone itself, but in the way it is used.
The longer you spend looking at a screen with your head tilted forward, the more your neck and shoulder muscles remain tense.
This posture leads to forward head posture and rounded shoulders, and restricts the movement of the rib cage.
If the chest does not move sufficiently, breathing becomes shallow.
As breathing becomes shallower, the body unconsciously remains in a state of tension, and sympathetic nervous system activity may also increase.
Ultimately, this can disrupt the balance of the autonomic nervous system, which in turn can affect sweat secretion.
When the rib cage becomes stiff, the body’s tension also increases.
When observing the posture of patients with hyperhidrosis in the clinic, I often notice that their necks and shoulders are hunched forward and their chests are closed in.
This posture doesn’t just cause physical problems.
It can impair breathing quality, increase muscle tension, and affect the balance of the autonomic nervous system.
This pattern is particularly common in people who frequently experience hot flashes in the face, have sweaty hands and feet, or get nervous easily.
Of course, simply correcting your posture won’t solve all cases of hyperhidrosis.
However, reducing the factors that keep the body in a state of tension can be a significant help in managing symptoms.
Lifestyle Habits That People with Hyperhidrosis Should Adopt
Hyperhidrosis isn’t simply a matter of reducing sweat; the key is to reduce tension throughout the body.
Please try to make the following habits part of your daily routine.
First, go to sleep at the same time every night, as much as possible
Second, reduce smartphone use before bedtime
Third, do stretching exercises to open up your chest for at least 10 minutes a day
Fourth, practice diaphragmatic breathing
Fifth, avoid staying in the same position for long periods of time
Sixth, reduce excessive caffeine intake
These small changes can help stabilize the autonomic nervous system.
Hyperhidrosis may be a signal from your body
If we view excessive sweating simply as a problem with the sweat glands, we risk overlooking certain aspects.
In our bodies, sleep, stress, posture, breathing, and the autonomic nervous system are closely interconnected.
Therefore, when treating hyperhidrosis, it is important not only to focus on the sweating itself but also to examine why the body has become excessively tense.
If you’ve been suffering from hyperhidrosis for a long time, I recommend taking a closer look at your lifestyle and the state of your autonomic nervous system rather than focusing solely on the sweating itself.
Small changes in your habits can be the first step toward restoring your body’s balance.
Thank you.
