Why do we sweat? Let's learn everything about sweat in a simple way!

Sweating in the heat of our country is not something to be surprised about, is it? It is very normal for us to sweat and get our clothes wet even when we exercise hard, do some work in the sun, or even before a big presentation at the office. But have you ever thought about what this sweat really is? Why is it so important for our body? Although it may seem like a nuisance at times, sweating is a wonderful thing that helps keep our body healthy. Let's talk about this from the beginning today.

Simply put, what is sweat?

Sweat, or perspiration, is a salty liquid produced by tiny glands in our skin. Its main function is to maintain our body temperature at a certain level. Sweat works like our body's natural 'air conditioning' (AC) system. When our body heats up, we sweat to lower that temperature and cool down our body. This is why we can stay cool, even in hot climates or during physical education.

But here's the surprising thing: sweat actually has no smell! Yes, you heard that right. Sweat is an odorless liquid. So why does sweat smell? The reason is the bacteria that naturally live on our skin. When these bacteria combine with sweat and start breaking it down, that unpleasant odor is created.

What are the main functions of sweat?

As we discussed earlier, the main function of sweat is to regulate body temperature (thermoregulation). Once sweat reaches the surface of the skin, it evaporates when exposed to air. This evaporation process cools our skin and the tissues underneath. In this way, sweat helps to maintain a healthy body temperature of around 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 Fahrenheit).

But not only that, sweat does several other important things.

• Provides moisture to the skin: Some substances in sweat (like amino acids) help retain moisture in our skin, thus preventing it from drying out to some extent.
• Protects against skin infections: Sweat contains natural chemicals called antimicrobial peptides. These help our immune system fight germs like bacteria and fungi that try to enter the body through the skin.

We have two types of sweat glands!

These tiny structures inside our skin that produce sweat are called sweat glands. They can be divided into two main types. Their functions are slightly different.

What is actually in sweat?

99% of the sweat we produce is water. That's why the sweat we produce on a hot day is very liquid. The remaining 1% is made up of other things.

The remaining 1% is mostly sodium and chloride. When these two are combined, they form the salt we eat. These are electrolytes that our bodies need. In addition, sweat can contain very small amounts of the following:

• Potassium
• Vitamins
• Minerals like calcium, magnesium, and iron
• Proteins and amino acids
• Toxins like heavy metals and BPA (in very small amounts)

Sweat from apocrine glands is a little different. Although it is mostly water, it also contains relatively high amounts of lipids, proteins, and ammonia.

Sweating-related conditions

Although sweating is normal, sometimes this process can go wrong. This means you either sweat too much or not at all. These can be symptoms of a medical condition.

Sweating and heart disease

This is something we all definitely need to know.

This is usually accompanied by other symptoms such as chest pain, tightness, shortness of breath, and nausea. But sometimes, especially in women, excessive sweating and nausea may be the only symptoms of a heart attack.

If you or someone you know experiences any of these symptoms, or if you have any doubts, call an ambulance immediately or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU). Getting treatment quickly at a time like this is crucial to saving lives.

Can you remove "toxins" from your body by sweating?

There is a saying in society that "you should work up a good sweat and go to the sauna to remove all the toxins from your body." Many people believe this. But from a medical perspective, there is not much truth to this story.

As we discussed earlier, 99% of sweat is water. The remaining 1% is mostly salts that our body needs. Toxins, such as heavy metals, are excreted in very negligible amounts. In fact, the two main purification centers in our body are our liver and kidneys. These two organs do the main job of filtering and removing harmful substances from the body.

The main thing that can happen from excessive sweating is dehydration and loss of electrolytes. So while sweating is good, forcing yourself to sweat in the hope of "removing toxins" can do more harm than good.

When should you see a doctor?

Although sweating is normal, it is important to seek medical advice in the following situations:

• If you sweat excessively and it interferes with your daily activities.
• If you have a sudden increase or decrease in the amount of sweat you are sweating .
• If you wake up at night sweating for no apparent reason (night sweats).
• If there are other symptoms such as fever, weight loss, chest pain, and difficulty breathing along with sweating.
• If you feel like you 're not sweating at all , even when it's hot and you're exercising, this could be a condition called anhidrosis.

Especially if you are in a hot environment and do not sweat, have symptoms such as a high fever (over 103 F), red, dry skin, nausea, dizziness, and seizures, it could be a dangerous condition called heat stroke. In such a case, you should immediately go to a hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU).

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