Hyperhidrosis is a chronic medical condition characterized by excessive sweating. While its real cause continue to challenge medical researchers, its symptoms often manifest either during childhood or adolescence. Surprisingly, about 40% of hyperhidrosis patients share the same problem with their families. As it appears, the role of genes in this respect is far too significant for medical professionals not to explore heredity and its contribution to understanding the etiology of hyperhidrosis.

Given that a majority of hyperhidrosis patients may have been suffering from it since their early years, a few lucky ones may experience spontaneous relief from its symptoms by the time they reach adulthood. While for most of them, symptoms of hyperhidrosis is a permanent cause of social embarrassment and physical discomfort.

Excessive sweating can either affect the whole body (generalized sweating) or it can be limited to specific body areas where the active eccrine sweat glands are found (localized sweating). Some of the sweat prone areas of the body are the palms, soles, armpit, groin and chest. It can cause the affected skin to appear pink or blue-white, macerated, cracked, or scaly – more so if it involves the palms (palmar hyperhidrosis) and soles (plantar hyperhidrosis).

Sweating is a natural and involuntary body response controlled by the sympathetic nervous system to cool the body. Various stimuli such as heightened emotions (anger, fear, stress, or anxiety) and increased physical activity, make one susceptible to and experience hyperhidrosis symptoms. Likewise, exposure to certain chemicals like nicotine and caffeine (found in foods, drinks, cigarettes, etc.) triggers the production of sweat. However, hyperhidrosis symptoms occur almost spontaneously that even without these stimuli, or perhaps even with the slightest experience of any of these factors, patients sweat profusely.

Hyperactivity of either the sympathetic nerves or eccrine sweat glands is generally accepted as the physiological explanation for excessive sweat production. The reason why they become over-activated is still unknown.

Degree of sweating in hyperhidrosis cases varies from person to person. Most patients can tolerate mild to moderate symptoms.  On the other hand, severe cases are very much a cause of embarrassment and distress especially when their condition does not only bring physical discomfort, but also when it already becomes socially disabling. It is especially alarming when their condition is already taking a heavy toll on their normal daily activities. Patients, for instance, may find it extremely difficult to perform an otherwise very simple job-related task such as typing on the computer keyboard, or holding papers and documents. Some, whose palms are often damp or dripping wet, even hesitate to shake hands. It is not at all surprising if, in the long run, they begin to avoid people rather than suffer from social embarrassment.

Considering the tremendous impact of hyperhidrosis and its symptoms to the lives of a significant number of the affected population, only appropriate medical treatments and interventions should be given to those finding temporary or long-term relief from their condition.

Hyperhidrosis occurs when the sympathethic nervous system is overactive. This triggers the release of hormones that activate the sweat glands, causing them to produce excessive sweat. According to the American Academy of Dermatologists, approximately 7 million of Americans are affected with this disorder. Most sufferers are in their adolescent and menopausal stages, some are pregnant women, and others are obese. Hyperhidrosis can be a burden to an individual for his entire life, or it can be a temporary disorder that can later be treated. Causes of hyperhidrosis can be classified as primary hyperhidrosis, which has a vague origin, or secondary, which is due to the abnormal flow of the sympathethic nervous system.

Of course, nobody wants to stay wet with sweat all the time. Our common reaction for this is to find remedy through the prescribed medication available in the market. There’s a lot of effective antiperspirants available now. An example for this is the Maxim antiperspirant. Though the credibility of this antiperspirant has been proven by most of its users, the standard Maxim antiperspirant can cause irritation to the skin. From the latest marketing survey of the CORAD Healthcare, out of 330 patients, almost 15 % of them experience itching, burning, and mild erythemia or redness in skin. The prescription antiperspirants they use contain alcohol, which triggers irritation to patients with sensitive skin.

Now, the worry is gone for the patients with sensitive skin. An innovation of standard Maxim antiperspirant and now formally introduced to the market, the Maxim Sensitive contains 10 % aluminum chloride active ingredient.

Not surprisingly, the product gained positive response in the market. Users of the product claim that by using Maxim Sensitive, they can control perspiration without experiencing irritation and side effects.

Maxim products are best used to treat excessive sweating in the armpit. This is because the armpits have apocrine sweat glands. The apocrine sweat glands are located at the surface of the skin, making them easy to be detected and treated by Maxim products. However, the hand, face and feet cannot be easily treated because they contain eccrine sweat glands, which are located at the deeper areas of the skin.

Sweating in any part of the body is very important for thermal regulation. We need it for cooling. Our skin area is about 2,700 square inches; each single part of the skin is an avenue for sweating. Of this given area, our armpits occupy only about 10 square inches. The skin let our sweat to evaporate from our body causing cooling. When our body sweats too much, cooling is a complete disaster.

This may be treated by using Maxim products. Maxim or Maxim Sensitive can completely eliminate excessive sweating in the armpits. These products will not affect the thermoregulatory system of our body. This is the safest way to fight against hyperhidrosis. Unlike the surgical method, which can cause irreversible compensatory sweating in the stomach, rear end, legs and back, Maxim products are made to consider the sensitivity of your skin and has no side effect. Submitting yourself into surgery should only be considered if non-surgical means are proven to be ineffective. Before anything else, try Maxim and Maxim Sensitive.

<!– /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Garamond; panose-1:2 2 4 4 3 3 1 1 8 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:647 0 0 0 159 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:”"; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-fareast-font-family:”Times New Roman”;} p.MsoBodyText, li.MsoBodyText, div.MsoBodyText {margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial; mso-fareast-font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-bidi-font-family:”Times New Roman”;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} –>

Compensatory hyperhidrosis usually occur after a surgical operation for axillary and palmar hyperhidrosis (sympathectomy). It’s the most common and notable side effect of sympathectomy. Other side-effects include gustatory sweating (sweating when eating), and neuralgic pain, but these are relatively rare.

Excessive sweating occurs in untreated body areas, usually in the upper or lower back and trunk, to compensate for reduced sweating in the treated areas (armpit and hands). The brain is responsible for shifting sweat production to a different body location to get rid of the perceived excess body heat. It’s actually a reflex response of the brain when it senses that it’s not cooling the body enough. The brain sends signals to the body to sweat more through the existing and undamaged sweat channels.

The symptoms of compensatory hyperhidrosis, such as profuse sweating and feeling of hotness (or sometimes coldness), may happen at irregular intervals or be constant throughout the day. Excessive sweating may occur in the lower and upper back, lower chest, abdomen, buttocks, groin and backs of the thighs. Patients who experience compensatory hyperhidrosis sweat profusely with the slightest thermal increase and physical activity.

Patients who have undergone sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis may develop compensatory hyperhidrosis soon after the operation, or later for some. On the average, sweating symptoms will remain stable six months after, but may continue to occur long after the operation.

It’s impossible to accurately predict who will and won’t develop severe compensatory hyperhidrosis after surgery. Likewise, it’s impossible to know in advance how intense the symptoms will manifest in certain patients. What’s certain is that almost all patients who undergo any form of sympathectomy experience some degree of compensatory hyperhidrosis. Its severity, however, will depend upon the levels of the interrupted sympathetic chain.

Research shows that a significant reduction in compensatory hyperhidrosis symptoms can be done by dividing the sympathetic chain at a single level (T2 sympathectomy). For older patients that have increased body mass index (BMI), it may be recommended that they undergo a temporary sympathetic block prior to permanent sympathectomy. This should help determine if compensatory hyperhidrosis would be a significant side effect for them after the operation.

Degree of tolerance for compensatory hyperhidrosis as a side effect of sympathectomy varies. Some patients may regret the surgical procedure because of the severity of the symptoms of compensatory hyperhidrosis, but this is relatively rare. Still, a majority of patients who have undergone this procedure can very well tolerate mild to moderate compensatory hyperhidrosis symptoms, which, for them, is an insignificant price to pay compared to a lifetime of trouble and discomfort from profuse underarm or hand sweating.

Since sympathectomy is a surgical procedure that’s irreversible, it’s still important that the patient be made aware of its side effects. Although most patients report that it’s an acceptable trade-off for getting rid of axillary and palmar hyperhidrosis, compensatory hyperhidrosis is something real and could be permanent, with no known cure. An informed choice is still the best privilege any patient could possibly have.

Hyperhidrosis, or more commonly known as excessive sweating, is a common disorder. Palmar hyperhidrosis, also called sweaty palms, is the most familiar form of this affliction, manifested by excessive sweating or perspiration of the palms of the hands. It has also been observed to cause too much foot, armpit and facial perspiration. It is understood that hyperhidrosis is an effect of over activity of the sympathetic nervous system.

Sweating is often uncontrollable, discomforting and unpredictable. Normal perspiring is required for the thermal regulation of our bodies, but with this, sweating surpasses the body’s necessity for physiological thermal regulation.

People never get used to living with hyperhidrosis, and they may continue to suffer their entire lives. This disorder can have severe physiological effects, such as cold and clammy hands, dehydration and skin infections secondary to maceration of the skin. It can also lead to destructive emotional outcomes – people suffering from this condition are always conscious of their situation. They tend to modify and compromise their way of life to contain this problem. This can ultimately be disabling in the individual’s professional, academic and social life, which in turn can lead to daily awkwardness and humiliation. Normal customary chores become impossible tasks. This can drain individuals psychologically when it happens on a constant basis.

hyperhidrosis.com/free-trial.htm”>Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition with cruel negative mental and emotional effects. Friends and relatives of affected individuals may not fully understand the effects of this disorder. Most doctors do not even comprehend the great negative impact that this condition brings to an individual’s psyche. Luckily with the latest progress in medication, various cures are available to lessen it’s effect on sufferers.

Medications available for hyperhidrosis include: topical antiperspirants, iontophoresis, botox and surgery. Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy, or ETS, is found to be the most effective way of treating hyperhidrosis.

Too much sweating can be controlled by commercial antiperspirants to a certain extent. However, stronger treatment is frequently required, particularly for the palms, soles, armpits, or genital area.

Applying aluminum chloride solution at night may aid in alleviating this disorder. Prescription and non-prescription strengths of aluminum chloride solution are available. A person must first dry the sweaty area before applying the solution. If the reaction to the medication is not enough the affected person may place a plastic film over the aluminum chloride solution in order to increase its efficiency. In the morning, the affected individual should take off the film and wash the affected area thoroughly. If the solution is found to irritate the skin, individual should stop the usage of the plastic film.

Some individuals may need 2 daily applications to make the treatment effective. This treatment regime normally provides relief in a week’s time. After this, an application of once or two times a week is needed as preventive maintenance.

For people who experience odor problems, it is necessary to clean the affected area two times a day. Soap and water are normally effective in removing the bacteria and yeast that causes body odor. In some more extreme cases, antiseptic soap may be needed, which is normally combined with antibacterial creams to remove any and all unwanted skin germs. Shaving of the hair around the affected area may also help manage the negative odor. Clean clothing should always be worn to ward off any unwanted smells.