Excessive Sweating And Its Treatment

Sweating in excess of that required for normal thermoregulation is termed as Hyperhidrosis. The condition usually begins in late childhood or adolescence. Typical areas affected include the palms, soles and the armpits. The cause of the condition can be idiopathic (cause unknown) or secondary to other illnesses or medications. There are 3 forms of hyperhidrosis:

1. Emotionally induced.
2. Localized.
3. Generalized.

Hyperhidrosis causes great emotional distress and occupational disability for the patient.

Generalized hyperhidrosis may be the consequence of autonomic dysregulation, or it may develop secondary to a metabolic disorder, febrile illness, or malignancy. In its localized form, hyperhidrosis may result from a disruption followed by abnormal regeneration of sympathetic nerves or a localized abnormality in the number or distribution of the eccrine glands, or it may be associated with other (usually vascular) abnormalities.

Essential hyperhidrosis, a disorder of the eccrine sweat glands, is associated with sympathetic overactivity. It does not appear to be a generalized disorder involving vascular endothelium.

Typically the disease affects more than 8 million Americans. Both sexes are affected by hyperhidrosis and there is a 20 times more frequent occurrence amongst Japanese than the normal population. Though not life-threatening, hyperhidrosis can adversely affect the patient's quality of life.

Palmoplantar hyperhidrosis is observed in chronic alcoholics commonly.

Hyperhidrosis may be idiopathic or secondary to other diseases.

Generalized hyperhidrosis can occur secondary to numerous causes like:

1. Neurologic or neoplastic (cancer) diseases.
2. Metabolic disorders (excessive Thyroid activity, hypoglycemia, diabetes, gout, menopause)
3. Febrile illnesses.
4. Chronic alcoholism.
5. Tuberculosis and Hodgkin's Disease.
6. Use of medications (Propranolol, tricyclic anti-depressants, Venlafaxine, Pilocarpine, Physostigmine)

Localized Hyperhidrosis may be emotionally induced and usually affects the palms, soles and/or armpits.

A simple test can readily reveal the affected areas. Spray the areas under suspicion with a mixture of 0.5 - 1 gram of Iodine crystals and 500 gram of soluble starch. The affected areas will turn black. Other investigations in the work-up include:

1. Thyroid function tests.
2. Blood Glucose levels.
3. Uric acid levels to diagnose Gout.
4. A Purified Protein Derivative test for diagnosis of Tuberculosis.
5. Chest X-Ray for Tuberculosis or Hodgkin's Disease.

The management of Hyperhidrosis is challenging for both the physician and the patient. Both topical and systemic medications have been tried in the management. Recent treatment options inculde Iontophoresis and Botox injections.

Medications:

Topical preparations like Aldehydes (These agents reduce perspiration by denaturing keratin and thereby occluding the pores of the sweat glands. They have a short-lasting effect. Contact sensitization is increased, especially with formalin. Aldehydes are used to treat the palms and soles; they are not as effective in the axillae.), and Aluminium compounds (act as anti-perspirants)

Oral Anti-Cholinergic agents (work by inhibiting the actions of Acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter necessary for secretion of sweat, and are generally avoided because of side effects)

Botulinum toxin (BOTOX) has gained popularity in the management of excessive sweating. Botox works by inhibiting the transmission of nerve impulses at the neuromuscular junction of skeletal muscles and glands that are under control of the autonomic nervous system like the sweat glands. Botox effects typically lasts for 4-12 months and after that repeat injections are a must.

Iontophoresis involves the passing of Direct Current across the skin surface. The mechanism of action, however, is still debatable.

Surgical management: Involves procedures like subcutaneous liposuction, surgical excision of the affected areas and surgical denervation of the sweat glands by performing sympathectomy where the autonomic nerve ganglions responsible for excessive sweating are removed.

Mike Ramsey has discovered an all-natural cure for excessive sweating, especially for those suffering from armpit hyperhidrosis. He details a simple three-step plan designed to stop armpit hyperhidrosis in less than two weeks.

In "Stop Sweating and Start Living" Ramsey fully describes his practical and unique treatment approach that permanently gets rid of a person's excessive underarm sweat problem - naturally and without side effects. Ramsey's process is made up of three simple steps, takes less than 1 minute a day to complete and relies on readily available and inexpensive products.

For people who have tried everything possible and still have no results there is no harm in giving Ramsey's method a try and he gives a strong money-back guarantee for people who fail to achieve the results.