Hyperhidrosis affects millions of people around the world – nearly 3% of the population according to some studies. So what’s new you might ask. Well this is no ordinary sweat problem; we are discussing a scenario in which your hands feet or underarms are damp sticky or even drenched with sweat from morning to night through to the next morning. In other words you are sweating excessively at all times in different external conditions.

If you display these symptoms it is probably time to read up on hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating). In simple terms hyperhidrosis is a medical disorder characterized by excessive sweating. This kind of excessive sweating typically occurs either on your palms in your underarms (axillary hyperhidrosis) on your face (facial hyperhidrosis) or in your feet (plantar hyperhidrosis).

What causes hyperhidrosis?

Though we in our ignorance often loosely use the term sweat problem for a lot of people who display the symptoms described above they may actually be suffering from hyperhidrosis which is a serious medical condition and which requires proper diagnosis and treatment.

Under ordinary conditions the hypothalamus which is the part of the brain that regulates sweat-related functions sends sensory signals to the sweat nerves. These nerves — part of the sympathetic nervous system located in the chest cavity — in turn send the signals to the sweat glands causing the latter to produce sweat. As a result of hyperhidrosis the sweat glands disobey these signals as it were and produce substantial volumes of sweat that then seek outlets on your underarms face palms and feet.

Social impact of hyperhidrosis

For those who have never had to suffer from it it is difficult to imagine the social awkwardness and embarrassment that this condition can cause. For example a person who experiences excessive underarm sweating (medically described as axillary hyperhidrosis) may find it difficult to negotiate everyday social situations that require them to mingle closely with others. For most sufferers the constant anxiety regarding too much underarm sweat can affect not only their personal and social lives but their professional lives as well. Typically these people tend to possess low self-esteem and prefer to remain isolated from their peers.

Can hyperhidrosis be treated?

There are many ways to treat hyperhidrosis and a very common treatment method that is covered by insurance companies is the use of Botox to stop the sweating.  It is used to treat excessive sweating in common areas like inner thighs and under arms.  Botox is a less invasive treatment and has proven to provide great results for many patients.  Many surgeons recommend surgery which eliminates the sweat glands in the areas most affected by the condition.  This is an invasive surgery that does have more risk than other treatment options.

Sources:

http://www.hyperhidrosisweb.com/