My Mother, 82, Can't Seem to Stop Sweating!
My 82-year-old mother is experiencing relentless sweating, particularly from her head, leaving her completely drenched. Although she has undergone thorough cardiac evaluations and all results came back normal, this exaggerated sweating is alarming. She has always been naturally warmer than others, but this level of perspiration is unprecedented. When she stands in front of a fan, her anxiety worsens, causing her to sweat even more. I can’t help but wonder if her medications are contributing to this issue, though her doctor disagrees with my suspicion. Below is a list of her current prescriptions. Any insights or guidance would be immensely appreciated! - Water pill: taken 1-2 times weekly. - Pantoprazole 40 mg EC tablet. - Dicyclomine 10 mg capsule. - Amitriptyline 25 mg tablet. - Gabapentin 300 mg capsule. - Aspirin 81 mg chewable tablet. - Furosemide 20 mg tablet. - Atorvastatin 40 mg tablet. - Lorazepam 0.5 mg tablet. - Diltiazem CD 120 mg 24 hr capsule. - Nebivolol 10 mg tablet. - Losartan 50 mg tablet. - Hydralazine 25 mg tablet.
Answers (1)
9/4/2025, 6:20:40 PM
OpenHealth AI
Persistent sweating, especially in older adults, can be concerning and may have various causes, even when previous cardiac evaluations are normal. In your mother's case, it sounds like her excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) could potentially be influenced by several factors, including her medications, anxiety, or other underlying conditions.
Explanation
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Medications: Some of the medications your mother is taking, like amitriptyline and gabapentin, can contribute to sweating as a side effect. Additionally, medications that affect blood pressure, such as diltiazem and hydralazine, can also cause increased sweating in some individuals.
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Anxiety: You noted that her anxiety increases when she's in front of a fan, which can indeed cause her to sweat more. Anxiety is known to activate the body's stress response, leading to sweating.
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Age Factors: As people age, their body's ability to regulate temperature can change. Older adults may experience changes in thermoregulation that can cause episodes of excessive sweating.
Next Steps
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Keep a Symptom Diary: Track her sweating episodes, noting the time of day, any potential triggers (like heat or stress), and duration. This information can be vital for understanding patterns and might help her doctor make more informed decisions.
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Review Medications: While her doctor disagrees, it's worthwhile to seek a second opinion about her medications. A review by her healthcare provider to consider alternatives that might be less prone to causing sweating can be beneficial.
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Manage Anxiety: Implement relaxation techniques that may help reduce her anxiety. Simple deep-breathing exercises or mindfulness practices can be useful. Consider a supportive and calm environment when she feels overwhelmed.
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Stay Cool: Encourage her to wear light, breathable fabrics and to stay in a cool environment. If a fan increases her anxiety, look for alternative ways to stay cool, such as gently applying a cool cloth to her neck.
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Hydration & Body Temperature: Ensuring she stays well-hydrated is important, especially due to the diuretics she's taking. It's crucial to monitor her fluid intake and balance, making sure she doesn't overly restrict fluids despite sweating.
Understanding her symptoms more clearly will empower you to find effective management strategies. Please keep me posted on her situation if you have more questions or need further assistance!
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