Hyperhidrosis ETS

The majority of people who submit themselves to Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy or ETS are very desperate because of their hyperhidrosis condition. They have endured for years the socially disabling stigma of profuse hand perspiration or facial blushing. After undergoing the ETS procedure, most patients are commonly awed by the immediate relief from their condition. This positive relief has a tremendous and dramatic effect on the quality of their lives. Normal daily social interactions that were typically evaded are no longer stressful or anxiety provoking. The relief from profuse hand perspiration is instant and permanent.

Relief from plantar hyperhidrosis following the T3 sympathectomy procedure is very fast.  The results are also very satisfying for the patient. The decline in palmar perspiration is the same as with the T2 method. However it has been observed that the general approval rating of patients with severe palmar hyperhidrosis that undertake Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy or ETS is greater.

Surgical treatment for Hyperhidrosis disorders should always be considered only as a last resort. Although surgery outcomes are encouraging, there have been one too many unhappy endings out there to make for comfortable reading.

A favorable outcome depends on many factors. Factors such as the patient’s condition, the patient’s individual expectations after surgery, the skill of the surgeon, and the knowledge and communication efficiency between the patient and the physician are critical.

Up to now it is essential that anybody who is considering Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy or ETS surgery gather as much understanding about the process as possible.  The necessities and adverse effects of the surgery should be weighed properly and accordingly.  Potential patients should gain sufficient and specific information about their condition before deciding to put themselves under the knife. They must also take as much impartial advice as possible. Opinions by specialists and people who have undergone the surgery can prove to be invaluable. Discussion forums are very useful and helpful in shaping a good understanding of the disorder and its many treatments. Finally, the most important choice regards the surgeon who will perform the surgical procedure. The selection must be based on the surgeon’s experience and the favorable feedback by his or her patients.

In the past decades, operations to perform a sympathectomy have historically been performed in many different ways. One of the old methods is performed through the back, with resectioning of a piece of rib on both sides of the spine. Another procedure is made by using a chest incision or thoracotomy where the chest is opened up. A third procedure involves making an incision in the patient’s neck.

Recent advancements in sympathectomy is done via video-assisted or thoracoscopy procedure. This process has also been known as ETS or VATS surgery. Basically it is the same surgery or procedure. However, the surgeon may utilize different procedures. The thoracoscopic method gives the surgeon an easier access to the sympathetic chain. This procedure also gives the patient less pain and discomfort, and it also offers a faster recovery time. Since this surgery is an outpatient procedure, younger patients can now undertake this particular surgical method. The youngest patient that we have performed this surgery on was only 9 years old. The surgery was a success and there were no untoward reactions.

What used to entail a hospital stay of a number of days can today be accomplished on an outpatient basis. Most individuals who undergo the procedure can go home in just a few hours after the surgery. However, if you are coming in from out of state it is wise to plan ahead and set aside at least four days. This method is a thoracic surgical procedure.  As such, the surgeon would have to make sure that the patient is healing properly before allowing him or her to travel on an airplane. Abrupt changes in cabin pressure may have a negative effect on patients who undergo this surgery.

Surgical methods for hyperhidrosis have gotten much better in recent years.  The permanent cutting of nerves can now be replaced with clamping techniques. Clamping techniques may be reversible should the CS prove to be too serious. Some surgeons have developed a system that still involves sectioning or removing the relative nerves and ganglia causing hyperhidrosis. Surgeons who carry out this particular method claim a one hundred percent success rate surgically. They also claim to have much smaller rates of side effects as compared to surgeons who to use other methods. It is however very necessary that patients always make their own careful inquiries before agreeing to undergo any medical procedure.

Hyperhidrosis Drysol

Treatment of hyperhidrosis today has been made easy by over-the-counter medication available in the market. Individuals who would like to avoid the pain and expenses of surgery can opt to use topical medications instead. Those who have hyperhidrosis rely on doctors’ prescriptions to avoid any side effects and skin irritation, and one the most effective prescription medications available in the market today is Drysol.

Drysol is a brand name for aluminum chloride hexahydrate. This product contains about 20% of aluminum chloride. It works to reduce or even eliminate hyperhidrosis in the palms, armpits and soles. It will really penetrate into the cells that generate sweat and start altering the process to completely suppress the overflowing of perspiration to different parts of the body. It even creates physical plug in eccrine sweat ducts.

A common first-line treatment used by people suffering from hyperhidrosis, especially in the armpits, is to try using over-the-counter antiperspirants. Most often, using antiperspirants with ordinary components cannot treat this skin condition. Sufferers may use antiperspirants over and over again without success.

Doctors have now entered the scene, strongly recommending the use of Drysol. It has been proven by almost 80% of hyperhidrosis patients that Drysol is indeed a very effective medication for excessive sweating.

The best way to use this product is to apply it directly to problem areas after drying the skin. It is advised that after you apply it at bedtime, you should wash it off in the morning with plain water to avoid any irritation in the skin. Regular use will keep your sweating experience under control. Normally, Drysol is applied once or twice a week.

Drysol is easy to use, and it is also safe from any side effects or skin irritation. Safe as it may be, there are some limitations to the use of Drysol.

Here are some precautions in using Drysol for the treatment of hyperhidrosis. The patient should not directly apply Drysol to broken, irritatted, or recently shaved skin. Using it with a regular daytime deodorant or antiperspirant is also not advisable. The use of deodorant is only allowed when the excessive sweating condition is completely treated, and using Drysol has become unnecessary.

Drysol products that are available in market are Drysol Extra Strength Liquid, Drysol Liquid, and Drysol Mild. Drysol Extra Strength Liquid is the best choice in treating excessive sweating. It is very effective even against the toughest cases of hyperhidrosis. The Drysol Liquid is recommended to use for axillary hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating in the armpits, but it is also effective in treating sweaty palms and soles. Drysol Mild, on the other hand, is advised to use for sweaty face, back, toes, and for maintenance therapy.

Where else in the world can you find and use such safe and effective products for excessive sweating problems? Try Drysol products now. In Canada, Drysol products may be used without a doctor’s prescription, but it’s always best to get a professional’s opinion before using any new medication or therapy for hyperhidrosis, as well as any other bothersome skin condition.

Hyperhidrosis Deodorant

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.

Hyperhidrosis Causes

Most of us experience sweating in the palms, feet and armpits. Producing sweat is almost a part of our daily lives. We treat this phenomenon as normal, sometimes unaware of the times that we produce excessive amounts of sweat. This is the primary symptom of hyperhidrosis. It is usually characterized by producing perspiration greater than the amount the body needed for thermal regulation. At first, we tend to disregard it, until we start feeling sticky in the armpits and our palms stay wet even while at rest. Soon, this uncomfortable condition begins to intrude into and affect your social life. It is probably the right time you knew more about excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis.

According to some studies, 3% of the total population suffers from hyperhidrosis. Most sufferers notice excessive sweating on specific parts of the body such as the underarms (axillary hyperhidrosis), face (facial hyperhidrosis) and feet (planar hyperhidrosis). As you see, sweating on these parts of the body is very common to most of us. We tend to be blind and treat this as normal, not knowing that it is already a symptom of hyperhidrosis. It is not widely known that such a disorder is a very serious medical condition that requires proper diagnosis and treatment.

Hyperhidrosis occurs when there is an abnormal response from the sweat nerves. A part of the brain called hypothalamus is responsible in sending the sensory signals to the sweat nerves. The hypothalamus is located in the chest cavity. The sweat nerves, as a part of the sympathetic nervous system, in turn throws signals to the sweat glands which results to producing sweat. When the signals violate the sending and response process, hyperhidrosis occurs. The sweat glands begin to produce excessive amount of sweats, and this liquid will seek outlets on your underarms, face, palms and feet, resulting to unwanted perspiration in such parts of our body.

We cannot purely blame all this to the uneven responses of our sweat nerves, however. There are a lot of factors contributing to why we perspire so much. By doing intense jobs and heavy activities such as vigorous exercise, we can expel extra liquid in our body. Our emotions can also trigger to generate sweat. Sweating stabilizes the corporal body temperature, especially when doing such activities.

Our skin glands are also the primary factor why hyperhidrosis occurs. Our skin has two kinds of glands: the apocrines and the eccrines. The apocrines do not contribute much in the regultation of body temperature. Basically, these glands can be found in the hair follicle and are not involved in the process of hyperhidrosis. The gland eccrines, on the other hand, is the major contributor for the hyperhidrosis. The increased secretion of the gland eccrines is the cause of such abnormalities. Eccrines are more concentrated in parts of the body such as the armpits, feet, palms, and are very important in regulating the body temperature.

Hyperhidrosis can be primary or secondary. Primary Hyperhidrosis has no specific origin. This is the most common type of hyperhidrosis and is attributed to a genetic factor. Everybody has the tendency to acquire primary hyperhidrosis, and this commonly manifests during the earlier stages of the person’s life. Secondary hyperhidrosis, on the other hand, is an acquired disorder due to an associated cause such as obesity, menopause and the use of antidepressive drugs.

Other factors such excess taking of drugs can cause sweating. Intakes of aspirin and acetaminophen, morphine, excess of the thyroid hormones, lack of feminine hormones during menopausal stage, testosterone deficit for men, and low rate of sugar in the blood can incite hyperhidrosis.

Excessive Sweating Remedies

Shaving. One of the most bothersome effects of excessive sweating is body odor. The smell increases because of the presence of hair in the armpits. Sweat accumulates and dries up around the hair, magnifying the odor that emitted by the body. But where does the strong stench come from? The strong odor is due to the release of toxins by bacteria. The bacteria are there because the conditions in a sweaty armpit encourage its multiplication. By removing the hair in the armpits with the use of a razor, one effectively controls excessive sweating and significantly reduces his chance at body odor. The underarms will also feel less sticky and more comfortable. When used with other methods, shaving gives great relief from excessive sweating.

Personal Hygiene and Showering. Taking a bath at least once a day can help one in the reduction of excessive sweating and bad odor. People with hyperhidrosis, or people who suffer from an abnormally increased perspiration beyond the required for body thermoregulation, may need to take a bath at least three to four times in a day. In addition, sufferers who also don’t shave their armpit hairs choose to take bath more than once a day to combat bad odor. With the use of a good antibacterial soap, one can also prevent the growth of bacteria around the body and reduce body odor. Choosing the right antibacterial soap is simply a matter of preference – just make sure to use fresh water and dry yourself with a clean cloth. For sufferers, it’s advisable to use a clean and fresh towel after every shower.

Use Natural Fibers. The material we use for our clothes can contribute to the smells we emit. For individuals suffering from excessive sweating, natural fibers like linen, cotton and wool is advisable. These natural fibers allow the flow of air and helps in the evaporation process, thus helping to control sweating. Tight clothing, especially skin tight ones, can make one sweat more is not advisable for those suffering from excessive sweating. It would also help to provide sufficient space surrounding the armpit area to allow good air circulation. Clothes made of polyester and other synthetic fibers can block the free flow of air and increase perspiration, so individuals suffering from excessive sweating should avoid them.

Drinking Water. Aside from preventing possible dehydration, water can replace what the body loses through excessive sweating. As one sweats, water and other essential minerals are lost from the body and must be replenished. Drinking more water will keep toxin levels at much lower levels, giving bacteria less tendency to thrive. To get an idea if you’re drinking enough water, check your urine. If your urine is colorless and odorless on a continual basis, then it means your water consumption levels are ideal.

Using Baking Soda. Baking soda can function as a natural underarm perspiration protection. It acts as a deodorant, but is much less likely to cause less irritation or allergies to sensitive skin than commercial deodorants. It is a great moisture absorber and can suppress bad odor. It is important to note that the use of baking soda is only applicable over an armpit that is dry and shaved, so the first tip in this article still has to come into play.

These days we prefer natural remedies over chemicals or drugs. This is very ideal to those people who wish to control underarm sweating without taking chances with products with funny-sounding ingredients. If the natural remedies mentioned do not solve the problem effectively enough, they may be used together with other methods available to control excessive underarm sweating.

Hyperhidrosis

More and more people today try to follow an active lifestyle. Due to this, they are much more likely to be exposed to different people and activities than ever before. As our days get busier, we become less aware of our bodily functions, which also undergo increased activity as we encounter both physical and emotional stress on a regular basis. For most people, such stress causes the body to sweat.

Sweating is the body’s natural response to an intense situation. The nervous system immediately senses any stressors in the body’s immediate environment and signals the sweat glands to produce sweat. This helps the body, which naturally heats up during stressful moments, regulate its own temperature. This is most obvious when we are subjected to climates warmer than our own, when exercising, or when we feel nervous, angry, embarrassed, or afraid.

While sweating is perfectly normal, excessive sweating may be a sign of an underlying medical condition. Excessive sweating is normally defined as the state when the body produces more sweat than is needed to regulate the body temperature. Excessive sweating is also known by its medical term, hyperhidrosis.

Hyperhidrosis is a medical disorder characterized by excessive sweating at any part of the body. It is a medical condition that causes the sufferer to experience unpredictable and excessive sweating, even at cool and comfortable temperatures, or when they are at rest. Cases of hyperhidrosis usually affect specific parts of the body, such as hands, armpits and feet. Excessive sweating in the hands is called palmar hyperhidrosis; in the armpits, it’s called axillary hyperhidrosis; and in the feet, it’s called plantar hyperhidrosis. The sympathetic nervous system controls much of the sweating process, and any problem affecting it may affect the body’s perspiration system.

Hyperhidrosis can be primary or secondary. Primary hypehidrosis usually starts during or even before the individual’s adolescent stage. In primary hyperhidrosis, the affected part of the body may be the hands, feet, or armpits. Primary hyperhidrosis is also known as focal hyperhidrosis and can run in families. Often, sufferers ignore the symptoms of primary hyperhidrosis – according to studies, primary hyperhidrosis affects 2-3% of the population, and not even 40% of these sufferers seek medical advice regarding this disorder.

Secondary hyperhidrosis, on the other hand, may come unexpectedly. It can affect anybody at any age. This type of hyperhidrosis is the result of an underlying condition, such as a disorder of the thyroid or pituitary gland, diabetes mellitus, tumors, gout, menopause, certain drugs, or mercury poisoning. The symptoms of secondary hyperhidrosis may be more serious than primary hyperhidrosis.

Regardless of the type and reason for onset, hyperhidrosis poses a serious physical and psychological problem for the sufferer. The discomfort and embarrassment the condition brings may affect the individual emotionally, and may cause him/her to delay or even forego treatment. It’s important to set aside fears and see a dermatologist immediately once your levels of perspiration causes you to worry. Identified early, hyperhidrosis may necessitate only mild forms of treatment and be prevented from escalating any further.

How to Stop Excessive Sweating

Wet armpits are, without a doubt, very uncomfortable. Excessive underarm sweating is also known as axillary hyperhidrosis. This embarrassing condition often results in bad odor and wetness. So does sweaty feet – it’s hard to concentrate on much else when your toes are moving in muck. Handshakes aren’t as congenial with wet palms. People suffering from excessive sweating, no matter their age, prefer to avoid any form of social contact for fear of embarrassing themselves. They work alone, keep hands in their pockets, stay home on weekends – anything to keep anyone from learning of their condition.

Excessive sweating – that is, producing more perspiration than the normal amount usually secreted by the body – affects people of all ages, though it is often more often found in adolescents and young adults. At this stage, one might experience sweaty palms, feet and underarms. Whichever part of the body the condition hits, it usually stays with the individual for the rest of his life unless treated through medical or surgical means.

Most likely, an individual’s profession contributes to excessive sweating. Sufferers of such disorders are people who experience constant anxiety and tension. Those who suffer from facial and underarm sweating at night most likely work in front of an audience most of the time, such as speakers and musicians. No profession is exempted from excessive sweating, but jobs like models, TV personalities, chefs, executives, attorneys, and salesman are at highest risk.

Several surgical procedures can free individuals from such turmoil, as well as other treatments as botox injections, iontophoresis. or drysol. The downside to these treatments is that they might cause permanent physiological damage to an individual.

Individuals may seek help from dermatologists and other skin care professionals qualified to treat excessive sweating. Treatment may involve surgical procedures, such as sweating surgery, thoracic surgery procedure, and surgery for sweaty hands. These surgical procedures may leave scars and blemishes in the treated parts of the skin due to the some reaction to the medicine, but these will heal in time.

Removing the overactive sweat glands in the body may cure excessive sweating. Surgery must only be performed by a qualified doctor.

Recently, studies show that nerve nodes in the thorax are responsible for the innervations of the sweat glands in the upper limbs and the face, in turn causing the excessive sweating. To control this, a micro-invasive surgical technique has been developed as an effective surgical treatment to access the nerve nodes in the thorax. This treatment is known as Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy (ETS), a surgical technique that interrupts the sympathetic chain. This treatment aims to reduce, if not eliminate, excessive sweating in particular areas of the body such as hands, feet, and face. The procedure, supervised by a board eligible anesthesiologist, may last up to 30 minutes.

When you think you’re suffering from excessive sweating, it’s often best to consult a dermatologist as early as possible. Excessive sweating may have a tendency to worsen over time, and dermatologists are equipped with the knowledge to ascertain the severity of the medical condition, as well as the equipment needed to treat it.

Sweaty Hands

Sweaty Palms are also known by their medical term, Palmar Hyperhidrosis . Profuse hand perspiration is by far the most common kind of hyperhidrosis. The term hypersympathetic activity is a more exact term for sweaty palms. This is because extreme perspiration is caused by the heightened activity in the sympathetic chain. The sympathetic chain is a part of the autonomic nervous system. This is situated inside the chest cavity and it doesn’t have anything to do with the motoric or sensory functions of our body.

Extreme hand perspiration can be very harsh and aggravating to the person with the disorder. This normally affects a person’s daily life and affects both fundamental functions and social interactions. In about forty percent of people that are afflicted with severe hand sweating, the problem can be mostly accredited to genetics. Sweaty palms normally develop during early childhood and may become more severe towards the late adolescence and into early adulthood.

The International Hyperhidrosis Society segregates the severity of Palmar Hyperhidrosis or Profuse Hand Perspiration into 4 subgroups. Group number 1 consists of patients that only have mild hand sweating or perspiration.  This group consists of patients that do not experience any functional or social troubles due to their condition. On the other hand are the patients that experience extreme and excessive hand perspiration. This level of moisture experienced by sufferers is described as dripping or drenching and this adversely affects them on a daily basis. Patients portrayed in the latter group rarely have encouraging results from conservative procedures such as Drionic, Drysol, Maxim, Oral Medications or Botox.

The medical surgery called Thoracic Sympathectomy has been developed and improved over the last five to six decades. In the previous decades, the procedure was made either through the lower neck, at the back or on the chest cavity. These methods involved major surgical intervention that required very long hospital recovery. On top of that, the operation also caused pain and excessive scarring to the patient. These are the reasons why the operation was not commonly chosen by physicians – and not very popular with patients, either.

Over the last two decades, improvements have been made and many successful surgeries were done with the aid of miniaturized cameras. This procedure using the aid of miniature cameras is known as Endoscopic Surgery. Access into the body cavities such as the abdomen or chest is done through miniature incisions wherein a probe that contains a camera can be put into. This is a less invasive procedure and it ends up with minimal surgical damage and a speedier recovery for the patient. Most of the surgeries today are done on an outpatient basis – the patient can go back home on the same day that the procedure is done.  The procedure achieves the same if not better results as the open surgeries that were done in the previous decades. Plus, it has the benefit of a short hospital stay and it does not have the side effects of severe pain and excessive scarring.

Axillary Hyperhidrosis

Axillary hyperhidrosis involves profuse and tremendous perspiration of the underarms. This condition is usually accompanied by constant bad body odor that is typically resistant to commercially available deodorants and antiperspirants. Axillary hyperhidrosis poses a social and psychological risk in addition to the physical discomfort it causes.

Axillary sweating may occur by itself or in combination with any or all of the different kinds of hyperhidrosis disorders, such as in the palms, feet, or face. People afflicted by this disorder are discouraged from wearing particular clothes, materials and colors because the sweat leads to staining and deterioration of the fabric.

Profuse armpit perspiration can turn out to be an exasperating dilemma for those suffering from this condition. Axillary hyperhidrosis manifests itself through increased armpit sweat production and this is prompted by the sympathetic nervous system. A malfunction in the nerves controlling underarm sweat glands results in excessive sweat production. Axillary hyperhidrosis is at times triggered by external factors such as anxiety, psychological stress and tiredness. However, this is not a rule and there are still no evidently identified stimuli that set off unwarranted armpit perspiration.

Individuals suffering from axillary hyperhidrosis sometimes result to wearing clothes in layers, such as donning a jacket over a shirt. This way, the individual may conceal his shirt in case axillary hyperhidrosis kicks in at a bad time. It’s not uncommon for sufferers to have to change their upper garments two or three times a day, sometimes even more, due to the persistent sweating condition. Women suffering form axillary hyperhidrosis also shun garments made of delicate fabrics such as silk, since sweat marks tend to be very noticeable in such fabrics. Whatever the occasion, axillary hyperhidrosis is a cause for embarrassment for the sufferer, and may make him/her less socially secure.

This condition frequently starts during teenage years. There are, however, some cases that occur before puberty. Kids with axillary hyperhidrosis are at risk of social withdrawal at a very early age, as the other kids may find their condition a tempting target for teasing. The teasing often triggers a vicious cycle that intensifies the anxiety endured by kids during this phase, leading to a feeling of hopelessness. The idea that there is no answer to or escape from their embarrassing medical condition may lead to withdrawal and isolation, making recovery even more difficult.

People with axillary hyperhidrosis sometimes do not have the strength to open up and discuss their condition even with their own family. This is because they think that they are the only ones afflicted by this disorder. There have been instances when parents only learn about their children’s suffering after the condition has been hampering their social lives for a number of years. It’s advisable to seek professional help immediately when parents detect a lack of social interaction, grief, and low self-esteem in their child.

Treatment of hyperhidrosis often entails correcting the malfunction of the sympathetic nervous system. Surgery to remove overactive sweat glands may also be the solution. Dermatologists are well-equipped to ascertain the most suitable treatments for axillary hyperhidrosis, as well as administering such treatments.

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.