sweat

sweat

 [swet]

the salty fluid, consisting largely of water, excreted by the sweat glands in the skin. Called also perspiration.



In high temperatures, during strenuous exertion, or in times of unusual emotional stress, the sweat output of the body may exceed several quarts per day. Even on a cool day without exertion or emotional stress, the body loses well over a pint of fluid in sweat. This latter kind of sweating is known medically as “insensible” perspiration because it is virtually unnoticeable; as the sweat reaches the surface of the skin, it evaporates immediately. When sweating becomes noticeable, it is known as “sensible” perspiration.

The chief function of sweat glands and perspiration is to maintain the body temperature at a constant level. Thus the skin is cooled as perspiration evaporates. The blood in the capillaries of the skin likewise is cooled before it courses back into the body. The sweat glands have a minor excretory function. Perspiration contains water, sodium chloride, and small amounts of urea, lactic acid, and potassium ions. It also contains antibacterial substances that defend the body against infection.

sweat gland one of the glands that secrete sweat, found in the corium or subcutaneous tissue, and opening by a duct on the surface of the body. There are two types: The ordinary or eccrine sweat glands are unbranched, coiled, tubular glands distributed over almost all of the body surface; they promote cooling by evaporation of their secretion. The apocrine sweat glands are large, branched, specialized glands that empty into the upper portion of a hair follicle instead of directly onto the skin surface, and are found only on certain areas of the body, such as around the anus and in the axilla. A sweat gland is innervated by cholinergic nerve fibers of the parasympathetic nervous system and can also be stimulated by the hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine that circulate in the blood. Called also sudoriferous or sudoriparous gland.

Sweat gland. From Mahon and Manuselis, 1995.

sweat retention syndrome

1. a dermatologic condition due to occlusion of sweat ducts, which may result in symptoms ranging from pruritus, scratch dermatitis, and miliaria to very persistent inflammatory changes, depending upon the extent of the blockage, environmental temperature, and duration of sweating stimulus.

2. tropical anhidrotic asthenia.

Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

Sweat

(swĕt),

Faye, 20th-century pathologist. See: Puchtler-Sweat stains.

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sweat

(swet),

1. Perspiration (3), especially sensible perspiration.

2. To perspire.

[A.S. swāt]

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

sweat

(swĕt)

v. sweated or sweat, sweating, sweats

v.intr.

To excrete perspiration through the pores in the skin; perspire.

v.tr.

a. To excrete (moisture) through a porous surface, such as the skin.

b. To excrete (wastes) in perspiration: sweated out the toxins in the steam room.

n.

The colorless saline moisture excreted by the sweat glands; perspiration.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

sweat

(swet)

1. Perspiration (3), especially sensible perspiration.

2. To perspire.

[ A.S. swāt]

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012

pers·pi·ra·tion

(pĕrs'pir-ā'shŭn)

1. The excretion of fluid by the sweat glands of the skin.
Synonym(s): diaphoresis, sudation, sweating.

2. All fluid loss through normal skin, whether by sweat gland secretion or by diffusion through other skin structures.
Synonym(s): sudor.
See also: sweat (2) , sweat (1)

[L. per-spiro, pp. -atus, to breathe everywhere]

Medical Dictionary for the Dental Professions © Farlex 2012

Patient discussion about sweat

Q. why do we sweat? I don't mean to ask that we sweat when we do physicall activity or are stressed. My question is, why does the body sweat.

A. simple energy calculation will do- when our cells work they create energy. most of that energy transforms to other types we use in all sort of ways. but some of it is "wasted" as heat (although some of the time we use it to maintain regular body heat). when our temperature rises it creates an interference with our protein's function, this could be dangerous- so our body rises the blood flow to the skin and causes sweating. the sweat get's the heat energy from the skin and vaporizes thus reducing the temperature.

Q. can I locate an otc test for diabeties 2? I'm 60 overweight. don't urinate freq but starting sweating excessiv I do have swelling in my legs and ankles which is new along with the sweating.Sweating occurs at odd times, not with exercise or movement. I just start sweating. No excessive thirst either. Any suggestions? Insurance is a problem. I'm a small business owner. I have to open and close shop. Long lines at the county hospital are for people with time. I just don't have any. I'm beginning to understand why people go out in different ways. thanks any otc advise would be great or maybe a preventive diabetics diet suggestion?

A. look, this is something you just won't be able to do on your own. as far as i know there isn't any OTC test for diabetes. and even if there is , if you are diabetic - you'll have to see a Dr. and do the test any way, if you are not diabetic- you'll have to see a Dr. and see what the hell do you have. don't neglect your health...

Q. does flaxseed work for hot flashes.is there anything else that helps? going though menopause without hormones.

A. There have been some researches lately to see if flaxseed does indeed help with hot flashes. flaxseed was studied because it is a phytoestrogen (plant-based estrogen source). Flaxseed contains lignans and omega-3 fatty acids. The research found that it helped some of the women. You need to crush the flaxseed before you eat it in order to get all the oil out of it. You can try it, it is good for you anyway.

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