Posts Tagged ‘Overactive Sweat Glands’
Overactive Sweat Glands
Excessive sweating at night is called sleep hyperhidrosis, more commonly known as “night sweats.” An individual suffering from night sweats may also experience excessive sweating during the day, although this is not always the case.
Sleep hyperhidrosis can affect anyone regardless of age, but it is more commonly seen in early adulthood (when sweat glands have become more active). Generally, sleep hyperhidrosis is safe, except that it causes distress and discomfort during sleep. It disrupts normal sleep patterns when one is frequently awakened due to drenched sleepwear and sheets.
Research shows that occurrence of excessive sweating is due to some genetic factors. Biology plays a role as well. For instance, women over 40 affected by menopause (or perimenopause) related hormonal changes, can suffer from night sweats. Similarly, pregnant women can experience night sweats due to hormonal changes. In both cases, excessive sweating shouldn’t be a cause for alarm, or be seen as a symptom of an underlying medical condition.
How does one know if excessive perspiration is actually caused by an underlying medical condition? Obviously, one sweats more in a warm environment, during exercise or in response to situations that elicit strong emotions – situations that make them nervous, angry, embarrassed or anxious. Thus, diligent efforts should be taken in keeping the place cool, well ventilated, and clean. Wearing of cool, comfortable sleepwear is also important. Certain foods and drinks that trigger the body to perspire more should be avoided. It also helps to reduce stress, or if at all possible, stay away from stressful situations. Try to control or eliminate all these external factors first. If severe “hot flashes” still occur then, it should be wise to seek medical attention.
Sweat glands release salty liquid through the process of perspiration. It’s a normal and essential body process controlled by the sympathetic nervous system to remove toxins from the body and to regulate body temperature. Perspiration usually occurs under the arms, on the feet, and on the palms of the hand. In some cases, sweating may occur around the face, or worse, all over the body. One is born with about two to four million sweat glands, and not until puberty do these glands become fully active. Interestingly, women have more sweat glands. Men may have fewer sweat glands than women, but their glands are more active.
If sweating gets out of control and become a source of distress and discomfort, several treatment options are available. There are some oral medications to choose from, but patients sometimes complain of certain side effects. Some experience dry mouth, drowsiness, and urinary retention. In the case of “hot flashes” caused by menopause, hormonal treatment will suffice to control the condition. There are also medical procedures that could help relieve the patient from this condition for more lasting results. A unique treatment is the use of electrical current (iontophoresis) to control the activity of the sweat glands. A device known as Drionic is used daily for seven days and results of the procedure last for up to one month. For chronic cases, surgical procedure will have to be done to remove some of the overactive sweat glands.
Overactive Sweat Glands
Hyperhidrosis , or commonly known as excessive sweating, is a medical condition caused by overactive sweat glands. It’s normal for anyone suffering from a fever, is under anxiety, or in a warm environment to perspire heavily. But if one perspires day and night, for no apparent reason, then it could be a manifestation of either a disorder of the sweat glands or of the sympathetic nervous system. Both the sweat glands and the sympathetic nervous system control the amount of perspiration released by the body, and any irregularities in their functions will naturally lead to a chronic condition such as hyperhidrosis. Excessive sweating could also be an underlying symptom of a thyroid problem or other medical conditions.
One solution to this problem with the sweat glands can be treated by a thoracic surgical procedure, with other non-invasive treatments also being available. Surgical procedures are done only in severe cases to control the sweat glands. Otherwise, non-surgical treatments will do.
Excessive sweating often occurs in the hands, feet, armpits, face and even in the groin area. But it can also occur in other parts of the body where there are overactive sweat glands. In some cases, the whole body is affected (causing general excessive sweating). Affected areas may have a white, cracked, and soft appearance, and is often accompanied with an odorous smell that is actually caused by bacteria.
Sweat Gland Disorder
Sweating is a natural body process that helps cool the body. Needless to say, one sweats more in a warm environment, when engaged in rigorous activity, and during exercise. Those caught in embarrassing, stressful, and anxious situations are likely to perspire as well – but only at that very moment. If one sweats excessively for no apparent reason, regardless of the time of day, then hyperhidrosis could be the culprit.
Overactive sweat glands are the primary cause of hyperhidrosis. But it is unknown as to why sweat glands in certain body parts become overactive. This condition, although relatively harmless, causes much physical and emotional discomfort, as it concerns all aspects of life. It impacts daily living, normal interpersonal relations and social interactions. It can get in the way of an individual’s work and related professional activities. It’s simply an uncontrollable and embarrassing ailment that will persist until medical intervention takes place.
There are, however, various treatments available such as: the drysol method and botox treatment. The drysol method can cause some side effects in more sensitive individuals, but is generally tolerated by many. Botox injections are usually effective for some cases of excessive sweating.
One common type of excessive sweating is the primary or focal hyperhydrosis. Primary refers to the specific condition in which the hands, feet, and armpits are affected by excessive sweating. 2 to 3% of the population is affected by this type of excessive sweating. But out of this figure, only less than 40% of patients seek medical help and intervention.
For the majority of primary hyperhidrosis cases, a cause can’t usually be found. Although research shows that this disorder seems to run in families, with the condition having a genetic basis.


