BODY ODOR AND SWEATING

When To Seek Medical Advice

See your doctor if you suddenly begin to sweat more than usual or experience night sweats for no apparent reason. Infections, thyroid gland problems and certain types of cancer, such as leukemia and lymphoma, can produce unusual sweating patterns. Uncommon conditions such as acromegaly, which occurs when the pituitary gland secretes too much growth hormone, or Cushing's syndrome — the result of excess adrenal hormones (glucocorticoids) in the bloodstream — also may cause unusual sweating.

A cold sweat is usually your body's response to a serious illness, anxiety or severe pain. Seek immediate medical attention for a cold sweat if you have signs of lightheadedness or chest and stomach pains.

Also talk to your doctor if you notice a change in body odor — it may be a sign of certain medical conditions. A fruity smell, for example, may be a sign of diabetes while an ammonialike smell could indicate liver disease. In addition, a rare condition known as fish-odor syndrome (trimethylaminuria) causes an odor similar to rotting fish. People with fish-odor syndrome have a defective gene that prevents them from metabolizing trimethylamine (TMA) — a natural byproduct of the digestion of foods such as saltwater fish, eggs and liver.