Increased sweating can occur with rosacea, a chronic skin condition, thyroid disorders and cancer in people over 80. This was told to the Daily Mail by British GP Ellie Cannon. According to the doctor, women during the menopause may experience hot flashes and excessive sweating due to decreased levels of the female hormone estrogen. However, for all other people, sweating can be an alarming sign. One possible cause of increased sweating is rosacea. This is a chronic skin condition characterized by persistent dilation of capillaries in the form of a reddish rash. With rosacea, the facial skin may begin to “burn,” which causes the body to cool itself by producing sweat. Excessive sweating can also be a sign of thyroid disease, which helps regulate the body's metabolism. Other signs of malfunctioning of this organ can include fatigue, weight gain, depression and muscle aches. In rare cases, sweating can signal cancer. Several blood cancers associated with this symptom are more common in people over the age of 80. Some people also sweat after consuming certain foods, as well as alcohol and caffeine. To understand which particular food causes sweating, it is recommended to keep a food diary.