In most cases, cold sweat is not a worrying sign, appears in stress or danger situations, and disappears soon after. However, cold sweat can also be a sign of a health problem, such as hypoglycemia, hypotension, anxiety or shock.
Whenever this symptom is recurrent or very intense, it is advisable to consult a gpation to assess if there are any problems that may be causing it, initiating the most appropriate treatment. Some of the most common causes include:
- Hypoglycemia usually occurs when blood sugar drops below 70 mg/dL.
- Causing symptoms such as cold sweating.
- Headache.
- Fainting.
- Blurred vision.
- Mental confusion.
- Weakness.
- Discomfort.
- Nausea or drowsiness.
- See more symptoms that can occur during hypoglycemia.
To know your blood glucose levels, you can do a quick test with your portable device, called a glucometer, or go to the health center for the measurement, which is usually free.
What to do: From the first symptoms of hypoglycemia, the person should sit down as soon as possible and eat foods high in sugar or easily digestible carbohydrates, such as fruit juices, sweets or cakes. If symptoms persist or the person faints, place some sugar under the tongue and consult a doctor.
In the case of hypotension, better known as hypotension, there may be a decrease in oxygen reaching the brain and certain organs, which can cause not only cold sweats, but also dizziness, palpitations, weakness, blurred vision, discomfort, paleness or fainting. .
What to do: During a low blood pressure attack, the person should try to lift their legs so that they are above the trunk and drink fluids. Know what you can do to avoid low blood pressure.
In situations of stress and anxiety, the body reacts by producing cold sweats mainly on the forehead, hands, feet and armpits. In addition to these symptoms, the person with anxiety may also experience muscle tension, discomfort, nausea, nausea, palpitations and tremors. See other symptoms you may experience in anxious situations.
What to do: There are ways to control anxiety, such as a relaxing massage or a hot bath, taking natural remedies such as chamomile tea or passion fruit juice. In the most severe cases where anxiety is difficult to control, psychological follow-up or even medications that your doctor may prescribe may be necessary.
It is also important that in cases where the symptoms of the anxiety attack are severe, the person is referred to the hospital to rule out the possibility of a heart attack.
In cases of hypoxia, which is a decrease in oxygen supply to body tissues, symptoms such as cold sweating, shortness of breath, weakness, mental confusion, dizziness and, in more severe cases, fainting and coma that can lead to death, for example. you should go to the emergency room as soon as the first symptoms appear.
Oxygen loss can occur in situations where blood circulation is poor, in case of poisoning, in places above 3000 meters, in people with lung disease or anemia.
What to do: Treatment involves using an oxygen mask to normalize blood levels and solve the cause of hypoxia with specific treatments such as asthma nebulization, medications to improve lung or heart function, treatments for anemia, or poisoning antidotes, for example. In severe cases, the use of artificial respiration may be necessary.
Widespread infection or sepsis is an infection with bacteria, viruses or fungi that affects several organs in the body, which can cause its failure and impair its oxygenation, which can lead to cold sweats, high fever, tremors, pressure drop or tachycardia.
What to do: Treating a widespread infection involves taking antibiotics, pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs and replacing fluids. However, these measures may not be sufficient and artificial breathing in an intensive care unit may be necessary.
In a state of shock, which can occur due to increased trauma, sudden injury, allergic reaction or accident, oxygen drop may occur, preventing organs from receiving enough they need to function, which can cause symptoms such as cold sweating. Pallor. , increased pulse, nausea and vomiting, weakness, dizziness or anxiety.
What to do: The person in shock may or may not be conscious, but in all cases it is advisable to consult a doctor immediately, call the ambulance or take the person to the emergency room to receive treatment as soon as possible.