Hyperhidrosis – the disorder of excessive sweating
Excessive sweating – also known as hyperhidrosis causes a lot of social problems that may include embarrassment, stained shirts, adverse social interactions in dealing with the bacterial ordours, lack of confidence and may cause depression as a side effect in some other people. Sweating is a natural process that the body uses to control heat escalation. When the temperature rises beyond the normal body temperature of 37.0C, sweating is automatically triggered. The body then dissipates some of its heat in the evaporation process when sweat is cleared from the skin thus reducing the temperature.
Sweating in the above circumstances is more normal, but may vary with some sweating in their palms or feet (palmoplantar hyperhidrosis) or under their arms (axillary hyperhidrosis). Causes can be neurologic, metabolic or systemic. It is not uncommon that some people sweat with rising levels of anxiety, demanding situations that may cause an adrenalin rush, or when their mood is not so good. When the sweating is incessant in any situation, then this might be the condition that requires treatment.
As it is evident that the causes can be quite complex, some tests will need to be carried out to determine the underlying causes in order to prescribe the correct treatment. Treatment can vary from over the counter antiperspirants or soaps that can be used to reduce the amount of sweat produced. Some stronger antiperspirants can be prescribed by the doctors including some oral medication known as anticholinergics, but are not commonly used due to bad side effects such as dry mouth, insomnia and/or blurred vision
Botox has been used successfully for axillary hyperhidrosis, but the FDA has not authorised its use on palmoplantar hyperhidrosis
Surgery is also an alternative where the sympathetic nerves under the armpits are reduced and usually the surgery is not very successful as other areas of the body will start to sweat excessively to compensate for the surgery. Complications can also arise in the lungs and nerves and might be irreversible. This is only used as a last resort.
Also check out for alternative solutions under Featured Products – Stop Sweating Today on this site.
Successful treatment may take a long time and usually comes with a large capital outlay.
