Symptom 5: Sweating Episodes
Sweating is our body’s in-built cooling mechanism, responding to various stimuli, from physical exertion to emotional distress. However, during an EHS episode, this response can kick into overdrive, leading to sudden and profuse sweating. This isn’t the subtle glow you might experience after a short jog. No, this is an intense, unanticipated perspiration that can leave individuals bewildered and discomforted.
The question arises: why such an intense response? When EHS’s auditory or visual hallucinations strike, they engage a deep-seated, primitive part of our brain. This is the part that has evolved over millennia to respond to threats. The sudden, jarring sounds or lights are perceived as threats, and the body’s immediate response is to prepare itself, leading to an outburst of sweat. It’s akin to how we might break into a sweat when suddenly confronted with an unexpected and daunting challenge.
However, it’s not just the physical jolt of the “explosion” that triggers this. The emotional ramifications play a role too. Individuals grappling with EHS often describe a cascade of emotions during an episode – from shock to confusion, from disbelief to anxiety. This emotional turmoil can further fuel the sweat glands, making the entire experience even more unsettling.
For someone on the outside, it might seem like a trivial inconvenience. But for someone experiencing it, waking up drenched can be deeply unsettling, and at times, even embarrassing. Recognizing the transient nature of this symptom can be reassuring. Temporary measures like keeping spare nightwear at hand, sleeping on moisture-wicking sheets, or even using a light fan can mitigate the discomfort to some extent.
If there’s one thing to take solace in, it’s that this symptom, like others associated with EHS, is benign. While it may be discomforting and even a tad inconvenient, it doesn’t signify any underlying pathology. Understanding and accepting this can be the first step in navigating and coping with these nocturnal sweating episodes. (5)
