Hyperhydrosis
Normal sweating is the body's way of lowering its temperature.
Sometimes, however, the body sweats in excess of what is needed
for normal cooling; This is called Hyperhydrosis.
It is uncertain what exactly causes this excessive sweating, it
could be the over activity of the sympathetic nervous chain or
the sweat glands themselves. What we do know however, is that
the sympathetic nervous system is responsible for mediating the
secretion of sweat from the sweat glans.
Since the sympathetic nervous system is controlled
sub-consciously, it can be difficult to treat Hyperhidrosis. In
mild cases simple antiperspirant and/or deodorant is sufficient.
Drioff deodorant and Drioff gel along with Maxim antiperspirant
are effective brands. In more extreme cases; surgery, botox
injections, antiestrogens, aluminum chloride and other
miscellaneous excessive sweating remedies are needed. One very
effective agent appears to be aluminum chloride (20-25%) in
70-90% alcohol, applied in the evening 2-3 times/week. If
sweating extends beyond the hairy portion of the axilla, surgery
may be the best remedy. As with all surgery procedures of this
type, formation of hypertrophic and/or constrictive scars can
occur.
In many cases other medical conditions create symptoms similar
to Hyperhydrosis; This is called Secondary Hyperhydrosis. In all
of these cases the underlying condition should be treated first.
Conditions like Hyperthyroidism or similar endocrine diseases
can cause the excessive perspiration. People with early HIV
often have overactive sweat glands. Prostatic cancer victims
find sweating to be a common problem, however relief for this
problem is commonly treated with an anti-estrogen. (ciproterone
acetate). Drug, alcohol and prescription drug abuse can also
result in secondary hyperhydrosis. Obesity is a major cause of
excessive underarm sweating and excessive head sweating.
Nervousness and anxiety can elicit or aggravate sweating and
severe psychiatric disorders can also cause severe sweating but
is only rarely the cause of the disorder. Women during menopause
sometimes develop the condition as well. What ever the cause of
the condition, in nearly all cases it is possible to find remedy
and relief.
Approximately 1% of the population is effected by this
condition. For most people, sweating isn't that big of a deal,
but in many cases of hyperhydrosis, very severe sweating results
in huge underarm stains and constant sweating hands. Excessive
head sweating often soaks the neck and collar of the shirt and
in the elderly can result in chills that lead to pneumonia.
Plantar hyperhidrosis is the excessive sweating of the feet and
leads to moist socks and shoes as well as increased foot odor.
These symptoms can have a major social impact on the persons
life. Often people are very embarrassed about the excessive
sweating problem, sometimes too embarrassed to see the doctor
about the problem until they have exhausted every home remedy
for sweating.