is the
Condition characterized by abnormally increased
Perspiration , in excess of that required for regulation of
Body Temperature . Some patients afflicted with the condition experience a distinct reduction in the quality of life. Sufferers feel at a loss of control because perspiration takes place independent of temperature and
Emotion al state.
However,
Anxiety can exacerbate the situation for many sufferers. A common complaint of patients is that they get nervous because they sweat, then sweat more because they are nervous. Other factors can play a role; certain
Food s &
Drink s,
Nicotine ,
Caffeine , and
Smell s can trigger a response (see also ''
Diaphoresis '').
There is controversy regarding the definition of hyperhidrosis, because any sweat that drips off of the body is in excess of that required for thermoregulation. Almost all people will drip sweat off of the body during heavy exercise.
Hyperhidrosis can either be generalized or localized to specific parts of the body.
Hand s,
Feet ,
Axilla e, and the groin area are among the most active regions of perspiration due to the relatively high concentration of sweat glands; however, any part of body may be affected. Primary hyperhidrosis is found to start during adolescence or even before, and interestingly, seems to be inherited as an
Autosomal dominant genetic trait.
Primary hyperhidrosis must be distinguished from secondary hyperhidrosis, which can start at any point in life. The latter form may be due to a disorder of the thyroid or pituitary gland, diabetes mellitus, tumors, gout, menopause or certain drugs.
Primary hyperhidrosis is estimated at around 1% of the population, afflicting women more.
It is not known what causes primary hyperhidrosis. One theory is that hyperhidrosis results from an over-active
Sympathetic Nervous System , but this hyperactivity may in turn be caused by abnormal brain function.
Hyperhidrosis can usually be treated, but there is no cure.
- '''Surgery ( from the mid-chest upwards, a disturbing condition. Major drawbacks to the procedure include thermoregulatory dysfuction (Goldstien, 2005), lowered fear and alertness (Teleranta, Pohjavaara, et al 2003, 2004) and the overwhelming incidence of Compensatory Hyperhidrosis . Some people find this sweating to be tolerable while others find the compensatory hyperhidrosis to be worse than the initial condition. It has also been established that there is a low (less than 1%) chance of Horner's Syndrome . Other risks common to minimally-invasive chest surgery, though rare, do exist. Patients have also been shown to experience a cardiac sympathetic denervation, which results in a 10% lowered heartbeat during both rest and exercise.
- (hexahydrate) solution: The most common brands are ''Drysol®'', ''Maxim®'', ''Odaban®'', and ''Driclor®''. Aluminum Chloride is used in regular Antiperspirant s, but hyperhidrosis sufferers need a much higher concentration. A 15% aluminum chloride solution or higher usually takes about a week of nightly use to stop the sweating, with one or two nightly applications per week to maintain the results. An aluminum chloride solution can be very effective; some people, however, cannot tolerate the irritation that it can cause. Also, the solution is usually not effective for palmar (hand) and plantar (foot) hyperhidrosis.
- ''' FDA , and now some insurance companies pay partially for the treatments.
- : The affected area is placed in a device that has two pails of water with a conductor in each one. The hand or foot acts like a conductor between the positively- and negatively-charged pails. As the low current passes through the area, the minerals in the water clog the sweat glands, limiting the amount of sweat released. Common brands of tap water iontophoresis devices are the ''Drionic®'', ''Idrostar'' and ''MD-1A (RA Fischer)''. Some people have seen great results while others see no effect. However, since the device can be painful to some and a great deal of time is required, no cessation of sweating in some people may be the result of not using the device as required. The device is usually used for the hands and feet, but there has been a device created for the axillae (armpit) area and for the stump region of amputees.
- : There are several drugs available with varying degrees of success. A class of '') is another drug used on an off-label basis. The drug seems to be almost as effective as oxybutynin, with similar side-effects such as a dry mouth or dry throat often leading to pain in these areas. Other less effective anticholinergic agents that have been tried include '' Propantheline Bromide '' (''Probanthine®'') and '' Benztropine '' (''Cogentin®''). A different class of drugs known as Beta-blockers has also been tried, but don't seem to be nearly as effective.
- : Hyperhidrosis can be aggravated by obesity, so weight-loss can help. However, most people with hyperhidrosis do not sweat excessively due to obesity.
- : Relaxation techniques have been tried with limited success.
- : Hypnosis has been used with limited success.
Excessive sweating impedes the performance of many routine activities. Things like driving, taking tests and simply grasping objects are severely hampered by sweaty hands. In addition, many careers present challenges for hyperhidrosis sufferers, such as for cook/chefs, doctors, and people working with computers. However, it is the social embarrassment that most hyperhidrosis sufferers find most troubling.
Some hyperhidrosis sufferers feel they have to avoid situations where they will come into physical contact with others. Interviews, a common source of anxiety for many people, are particularly harrowing for hyperhidrosis patients. Most often, it is the handshake before and after the interview that they will be stressing most about.
The very social interaction that could help lift the spirits of an individual suffering with hyperhidrosis is reduced. Interaction with others is extremely important. The simple experience of touch by another is proving to be extremely important to the psychological well-being of a person.
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