Sweating a lot? If yes, then you should know what is hyperhidrosis? This article will tell you what this condition is and the things you can do to treat it. But first, you need to understand what sweating is and why we perspire.
There is not one person who does not sweat. Although, there are some people who sweat more than others. Sweating is the body’s way of achieving equilibrium by releasing heat when it is working too hard or if the external temperature is getting hotter. Sweating is a natural reaction of the body when subjected to a variety of stimuli such as stress, heat, exertion and conditions like nausea, nervousness, excess weight and puberty.
Perspiring is also one of the body’s ways to cleanse itself of wastes. Sweat, therefore, is not purely water; it also consists of solutes like urea, sodium chloride, lactate, and some minerals. But when you perspire excessively, you may have the medical condition called hyperhidrosis. This condition is characterized by perspiration in certain parts of the body that are above normal. Individuals with this condition sweat profusely for no apparent reason.
Hyperhidrosis Symptoms
The following are some symptoms that may indicate that you are suffering from hyperhidrosis.
* Recurring, excessive and soppy perspiration.
* Abnormal and heavy sweating on the underarms, feet, head and face.
* Copious sweating happens for no obvious reason at least once a week.
Two types of hyperhidrosis
Focal or primary hyperhidrosis and general or secondary hyperhidrosis are the two types of hyperhidrosis.
1. Primary (or focal) hyperhidrosis
This is the most widespread kind of hyperhidrosis since around 2 to 3 percent of the populace suffers from this condition; but only about 60 percent of them seek professional help. This condition generally begins during the childhood to adolescent years.
As the name suggests, this type of hyperhidrosis affects specific parts of the body only, such as the head, hands, feet, underarms, face and groin area. Though studies haven’t made conclusive results as to what causes focal hyperhidrosis, but there are some findings that indicate that minor issues with the nervous system may cause this condition.
2. Secondary (or general) hyperhidrosis
Secondary hyperhidrosis is less common and more serious between the two types. As the name implies, “secondary” means it is a result of an underlying condition. Persons who have this type have copious perspiration on the entire body, and suffer extreme sweating at night time.
This type of hyperhidrosis affects individuals belonging to the middle to senior age bracket. Some of the underlying health problems that might trigger excessive sweating are the following.
* anxiety conditions
* certain cancers
* diabetes
* heart failure
* menopause
* Parkinson’s disease
* pregnancy
* spinal cord injury
* stroke
* tuberculosis
* other infections
Secondary hyperhidrosis manifests itself not only through sweating but is usually accompanied by the following symptoms.
* cough
* fatigue
* frequent urination
* insomnia
* increased thirst
Because secondary hyperhidrosis is often caused by another condition, treatment depends on the condition causing the excessive sweating.
Hyperhidrosis Treatment options
There is no cure yet for hyperhidrosis. You can control sweating, ie; you can control the symptoms by the treatment methods mentioned below.
* Antiperspirants. These block the sweat ducts thus preventing or slowing down sweat from producing. Use a strong antiperspirant with chloride hexahydrate. Strong antiperspirants can be bought over the counter or in prescription. It is important to remember that antiperspirants are not the same as deodorants, as the latter only disguises the odor, whereas the former prevents perspiration from forming.
* Medications. If your perspiration is due to stress, you may take beta-blockers for the reduction of stress. In addition, anticholinergic medicines thwart the stimulation of sweat glands thus preventing the production of excessive sweat.
* Botox. Botox injections are proven to treat extreme perspiration on the armpits. The Botox, when injected onto the underarms, blocks the nerves that activate perspiration. One can enjoy less perspiration for a few months with botox. This has side effects though, such as pain at the injection site and symptoms resembling the flu.
* Iontophoresis. Most helpful in excessive sweating in the feet and hands, this procedure utilizes electrical current to stop sweat glands from functioning. This requires between 6 to 10 treatments before noticeable reduction in sweat could be enjoyed. You may find your skin cracked or with blisters, though.
* Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy (ETS). For very severe cases of hyperhidrosis in which the other treatment methods are found unsuccessful, this surgical procedure is employed. Through hyperhidrosis surgery, the nerves responsible for excessive perspiration are cut. This method has been proven helpful for cases of too much sweating in the palms and face. Sweating in the underarms, though, cannot be resolved by this procedure.
Hyperhidrosis may deter you from doing what you need to because of the discomfort or embarrassment from soppy,extreme sweating. There is no need to fret, though, as there are plenty of ways to treat this condition. You just have to decide on the most suitable solution for your case.
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