Hyperhidrosis - Symptoms and Treatment

Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition in which a person sweats excessively and unpredictably. People with hyperhidrosis can sweat even when the temperature is cool, and when they are at rest. The excessive sweating can occur in the hands (palmar hyperhidrosis), in the armpits (axillary hyperhidrosis), or in the feet (plantar hyperhidrosis). Although nobody understands the exact cause of this excessive sweating in specific individuals, it is known that the sweating is controlled by the sympathetic nervous system. The disorder may be generalized, consisting of excessive body sweating, or localized, with sweating confined to the palms, soles, armpits, groin, and under the breasts. As a rule, onset is in childhood or during puberty. Patients experience a heightened reaction to sweating stimuli such as anxiety , pain, exercise, tension, caffeine, and nicotine. The sweat-prone areas may be localized or generalized. When the palms and soles are involved, the skin may appear pink or blue-white, and may even macerate, crack, or scale, particularly on the feet. Patients often experience spontaneous relief in adult life.

Hyperhidrosis is the condition characterized by abnormally increased perspiration , in excess of that required for regulation of body temperature. It affects approximately 3% of the population some 950,000 Canadians of whom 300,000 have a severe form of the disorder. Hyperhidrosis affects work productivity, confidence, social comfort, emotional well being and wardrobe choices. Studies show that hyperhidrosis impacts quality of life similar to or even greater than other well-known dermatological conditions, such as severe acne or psoriasis. It has also been shown that only 38% of hyperhidrosis sufferers talk to a health care professional about their condition. People rarely seek help because many are unaware that excessive sweating is a treatable medical disorder.

Causes of Hyperhidrosis

Common Causes of Hyperhidrosis :

• To some extent, family history of hyperhydrosis is responsible for it.
• Brain tumour, may also lead to the condition of hyperhydrosis.
• Parkinson's disease , is also the main cause of hyperhydrosis.
• An increase in air temperature, exercise, fever, anxiety, or spicy food may set off attacks of sweating. The sweating usually reduces at night time and disappears during sleep.
• Respiratory failure, may directly affect the functions of sweat glands and thus, inturn leads to hyperhydrosis.

Treatment of Hyperhidrosis

• Another treatment is the injection of BOTOX into the area of excessive sweating. When a small amount of botox is injected into the armpits or palms, it stops those areas from getting sweaty.
• A very simplest and cheap remedy for stopping sweating from palms or soles of the feet is iontophoresis. This treatment consists of electrical stimulation of the affected areas. Treatment is repeated until sweating is under control. Drionic is the product recommended.
• Cervical sympathectomy, as a last resort.
• This is the initial treatment for moderate or light hyperhidrosis. A product such as Drysol is recommended. The medication is less effective on the thick skin of the palms and soles.
• Oral anticholinergic medication, is very effective for the fast recovery from hyperhydrosis.

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