身體不同部位出汗與健康的關係

In the sweltering summer, many people sweat profusely even with minimal outdoor activity. A common belief circulating online suggests that excessive sweating in different parts of the body may indicate different health problems, and there are numerous dietary suggestions for "stopping sweating." However, registered Chinese medicine practitioner Xu Zechang points out that judging health solely by the presence or absence of sweat, or which part sweats more, is inaccurate. In fact, less sweating or even complete absence of sweating may conceal greater health risks than excessive sweating.

Excessive sweating on the forehead is not necessarily related to damp heat.

Some people believe that excessive sweating on the forehead is due to excessive damp-heat in the body, but Dr. Hsu states that this is not entirely accurate. While excessive sweating on the forehead can indeed be related to damp-heat, it could also simply be caused by consuming spicy foods, hot soups, or alcohol, leading to increased body heat and sweating. Online, bitter melon or lotus seeds are often recommended to improve excessive forehead sweating, but Dr. Hsu cautions that these dietary remedies are not suitable for everyone. If the sweating is caused by heat, bitter melon might help; however, if the sweating is not caused by heat, consuming these cooling foods may actually weaken the body, leading to symptoms such as cold intolerance and fatigue. Therefore, it is recommended to first understand the cause of your sweating before deciding on specific dietary adjustments, and never self-medicate.

Excessive sweating on the chest is closely related to emotions and the function of internal organs.

Excessive sweating in the chest area is often attributed to excessive thinking. Dr. Xu explains that this condition may be related to "deficiency of both heart and spleen" or "disharmony between heart and kidney." If it is a deficiency of both heart and spleen, it is often accompanied by…suffer from insomniaSymptoms include palpitations and loss of appetite; if there is a disharmony between the heart and kidneys, symptoms such as lower back and knee weakness may occur.FrustratedThere are various possibilities. Some believe that eating longan pulp can improve excessive sweating of the chest, but Dr. Hsu points out that longan pulp is a warming food. If the excessive sweating is caused by a deficiency of both the heart and spleen, longan may help; however, if it's due to disharmony between the heart and kidneys, longan may worsen the condition. Therefore, he does not recommend that people eat specific foods immediately upon noticing sweating, as this could have the opposite effect.

Insufficient or absent sweating may indicate abnormal bodily functions.

Many people believe that sweating little or not at all is a sign of "health," but Dr. Hsu emphasizes that "complete lack of sweating is abnormal." Sweating is an important way for the body to regulate temperature and maintain physiological balance. If you still sweat very little or not at all in hot weather, after exercise, or after eating spicy or fried foods, it may indicate an imbalance in the function of certain organs, which is an unhealthy state. In this case, you should seek professional medical evaluation and assistance as soon as possible to identify the underlying problem.

How to distinguish between normal and abnormal sweating?

Sweating is a normal bodily response, but health cannot be determined solely by whether or not one sweats. Dr. Xu points out that it's crucial to first distinguish between "normal" and "abnormal" sweating. For example, sweating in hot weather is normal. However, if you experience shortness of breath and profuse sweating after even slight activity, or without strenuous exercise, this may be considered "spontaneous sweating," usually a sign of Qi deficiency or Yang deficiency. Furthermore, if...Sleeping at nightIf a woman sweats profusely for no apparent reason, or even wakes up from the heat, it may be a case of "night sweats," which is more common in menopausal women.

In summary, while the location and amount of sweating can reflect the body's condition to some extent, it should not be the sole basis for judgment. When faced with excessive or insufficient sweating, the most important thing is to first understand the possible causes and observe whether other uncomfortable symptoms accompany them. If there are any doubts, one should seek diagnosis and advice from a professional TCM practitioner or doctor to avoid unnecessary harm to health due to misleading belief in folk remedies or self-treatment.