Diaphoretic
Formal Definition
Characterized by profuse or excessive sweating, typically as a symptom of hemodynamic compromise, catecholamine surge, hypoglycemia, myocardial infarction, or severe systemic illness.
How It's Used on the Ward
"Patient is diaphoretic" — drenched in sweat, usually a sign of something serious. "Cold and clammy" is the classic descriptor.
Example
""ED triage: 58-year-old male, pale, diaphoretic, clutching his chest. BP 88/50. Sat 94%. This is a STEMI with cardiogenic shock — cath lab activation before the ECG came back.""
Clinical Context
Diaphoresis is a sympathetic nervous system response — the body's emergency signal. Cold, clammy diaphoresis (sympathetic vasoconstriction + sweating) means the body is shunting blood to vital organs. It appears in: ACS, hypoglycemia (warm, clammy), septic shock (warm early, cold late), severe anxiety/panic, opiate withdrawal. Never ignore it. A diaphoretic patient is not "just sweating."