Hyperhidrosis Information
Normally, the human body perspires to keep our bodies from overheating, one of the body’s automatic means to physiologically regulate body heat (thermoregulation). Unfortunately, about 1-2% of the population suffers from excessive sweating. This medical condition of excessive perspiration (more than the normal limit for thermoregulation) is called hyperhidrosis. This presents usually with excessive sweating of the palms of the hands (palmar hyperhidrosis) and soles of the feet (plantar hyperhidrosis). Other areas include the armpits, the face, or even the entire body. Although hyperhidrosis is not considered dangerous, the excessive sweating can be socially embarrassing, emotionally upsetting, and even functionally disabling. Victims avoid social functions because of fear of shaking hands, and some have fear of writing because of shame of soiling the paper they write on.
Hyperhidrosis Classification
Hyperhidrosis can be classified as either secondary or primary hyperhidrosis. Sometimes, excessive sweating can be a part of another disease syndrome like endocrine or hormonal disorders, neurological conditions, skin problems, side effects from certain medications, and even cancer. These are then called secondary hyperhidrosis. Secondary hyperhidrosis will usually disappear upon treatment of the primary illness.
Hyperhidrosis causes
Primary hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating when all other known probable causes are ruled out through extensive medical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests. Onset of excessive perspiration usually happens during puberty. Sometimes, the condition tends to wane with age. Medical researches have found out that the cause is quite unclear, but most believe that “overexcited” nerves that control sweat glands cause excessive perspiration. Studies also show that hyperhidrosis may have a genetic component.
Hyperhidrosis treatment options
Usual treatment for mild to moderate hyperhidrosis is topical antiperspirants which sometimes are not potent. More effective are oral medications such as NSAIDS, anticholinergic drugs or calcium channel blockers. Iontophoresis has been shown to be successful for some patients. This involves the delivery of low current electricity at the problem areas while the patient is immersed in water. Botulinum toxin (Botox) injections have also been used to block nerve fibers of sweat glands. However, this procedure quite limited due to many reasons: cyclical injections (because the effect lasts for about 4 months), pain involved with the injections, the costly price of the Botox, and the likelihood of momentary muscle weakness.
Hyperhidrosis surgery
When all medical treatments fail, surgery is usually the last option. Most patients that opt for surgical procedures usually have severe intractable hyperhidrosis. Ganglionectomy or sympathectomy of the second thoracic nerve has a high success rate for palmar hyperhidrosis (more than 95%). The initiation of endoscopic procedures like endoscopic transthoracic sympathectomy (ETS) has lowered the surgical complication rates. For more detailed information about causes and treatment of hyperhidrosis, please consult your doctor or any health care professional.
