Hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, is a common disorder affecting many people. It is estimated that it affects 2-3% of the population. The most common form of hyperhidrosis is palmar hyperhidrosis, or sweaty palms, causing excessive sweating of the hands. But it can also cause excessive foot, underarm and facial sweating.
It is not clear what exactly causes hyperhidrosis. It is probably due to overactvity of the hypothalamus, the part of the brain controlling the body temperature. It may also be the result of the over activity of the sympathetic nervous system that controls the sweat glands.
Sweating is a normal process of the body. It helps the body stay cool. However, excess sweating can have both physiological and emotional consequences. It can result in cold and clammy hands, dehydration, and even skin infections. People who suffer from hyperhidrosis often modify their lifestyle to adapt to this problem, and this condition may have a devastating affect both on their social and professional lives.
Treatment
Today many forms of treatments are available to treat hyperhidrosis.
Antiperspirants. Anti-perspirants can control excessive sweating by plugging the sweat ducts. The most important component of these products is aluminum chloride hexahydrate, a compound that is a very effective in treating underarm sweating. Over-the counter products contain 10% to 15 % of aluminum chloride, but your doctor may prescribe you a product that contains a higher dose.
Medication. There are drugs that control the function of the sweat glands e.g. anticholinergics drugs. They may have side effects including dry mouth, dizziness and problems with urination, headaches, diarrhoea and constipation, such as glycopyrrolate, help to prevent the stimulation of sweat glands. These drugs haven't been studied very well, and my not be effective for everyone. For people who suffer from stress related sweating, Beta-blockers or benzodiazepines be effective.
Iontophoresis. This procedure uses electricity to temporarily turn off the sweat gland. It is most effective for sweating of the hands and feet. The affected area is placed into water, and then a low current of electricity is passed through it. The minerals in the water clog the sweat glands thus limiting the amount of sweat released. The procedure lasts about 10-20 minutes and it has to be repeated several sessions.
Botox. Botulinum toxin type A (Botox) is injected into the skin to treat the symptoms of severe underarm sweating when topical medicines do not work well enough. During the therapy small doses of purified botulinum toxin are injected into the underarm to block the nerves that stimulate sweating. The effect is only temporary. Side effects include injection-site pain and flu-like symptoms.
Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS). In severe cases of hyperhidrosis this minimally-invasive surgical procedure may be recommended when other treatments fail. During the surgery an endoscopic instrument is used to clamp or cut the sympathetic nerve node that tells the body to sweat excessively. It is usually done on patients whose palms or face sweat much more heavily than normal. ETS does not work as well for those with excessive armpit sweating.
TIME OF STAY:
1 day
