Q My sweating seems especially bad when I drink coffee or eat spicy food. Does diet really have an effect?
A Caffeine, spicy food, and alcohol stimulate the sympathetic nervous system and directly increase sweating. People with hyperhidrosis react more sensitively to these foods, so simply cutting back can noticeably change the amount of everyday sweat.
Detailed Answer
Caffeine directly stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, speeding up the heartbeat and increasing sweat gland activity. Spicy foods containing capsaicin cause gustatory sweating, and alcohol promotes sweating by dilating blood vessels and raising body temperature. People with hyperhidrosis react more sensitively to these stimuli, so reducing them is effective.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
At Dongjedang, we view caffeine, alcohol, and stimulating foods as drivers that stoke internal heat and push it upward. When the proper rise of water and descent of fire (suseung-hwagang) has broken down, these foods become direct aggravating factors, so we advise a light, bland diet to reduce heat and steady consumption of lukewarm water to replenish bodily fluids (jin-aek).
Related FAQs
-
Q
Can hyperhidrosis be completely cured with Korean medicine treatment? Realistically, how much can I expect?
#Possibility / Realistic Goals
-
Q
As menopause set in, I suddenly started feeling hot all over and sweating a lot. Is this also hyperhidrosis?
#Comorbidities
-
Q
Because of sweaty hands and feet, the skin between my toes has become macerated and I've developed athlete's foot. Can this be treated together with hyperhidrosis?
#Comorbidities
-
Q
Hyperhidrosis makes social life so uncomfortable. Is there any self-care I can start right away in daily life?
#Lifestyle Management
-
Q
My feet sweat so much that the odor is severe too. Is there a separate way to manage foot hyperhidrosis?
#Lifestyle Management