Hyperhidrosis FAQ
Book Review
July 5, 2012 |
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I have absolutely no hesitation in saying "Stop Sweating and Start Living" will soon put antiperspirant companies out of business.
I was reluctant at first to endorse any product but this book was different. The remedies it suggests are all-natural and target the root causes of problem sweating.
My only complaint is that it is only available as an instant access ebook. It can't be purchased in bookstores or on Amazon.com, but I'm sure the instant download feature is popular with people overseas and those who are ready to get started.
I strongly recommend "Stop Sweating and Start Living" to anyone who sweats excessively in the underarm, hand, foot, face or back areas.
- James Chambers
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Though knowledge about hyperhidrosis is gradually spreading there
is still a significant lack of popular awareness about this
medical condition. I hope the list of frequently asked questions
and their
answers that I have listed below will contribute to your knowledge
of the condition. Beginning with the most basic question I
will try and make out as comprehensive a list as possible so here
goes:
1. What is Hyperhidrosis?
Hyperhidrosis is a condition in which a patient experiences excessive
sweating in the face palms underarms and feet. According to the
area that it affects hyperhidrosis is categorized into facial hyperhidrosis
palmar hyperhidrosis axillary hyperhidrosis and plantar hyperhidrosis
respectively. In one form or another it affects nearly 3% of the
American population.
While the root cause of hyperhidrosis is unknown it has been established
that it is caused when the sympathetic nervous system which stimulates
sweat production goes into overdrive and causes the sweat glands to produce more sweat than is required to keep the body cool. Some
research studies seek to prove that hyperhidrosis is a genetic condition
while others link it to emotional stress of some kind.
Whatever form it takes hyperhidrosis causes tremendous emotional
social and professional embarrassment. For example a person afflicted
by the problem of severe underarm sweating is constantly worried
about such side effects as stained clothes and body odor. Similarly
those with palmar hyperhidrosis will hesitate before they as much
as shake hands for fear of rejection by business acquaintances or
friends.
2. Is hyperhidrosis always inherited?
No. However in almost 50% of recorded cases there is a family
history of hyperhidrosis. When a person is born with this condition
he or she has primary hyperhidrosis while if hyperhidrosis develops
as a result of another medical condition such as menopause or hyperthyroidism
it is called secondary hyperhidrosis. In the latter instance the
sweating is usually spread across larger areas of the body and not
localized as in the case of primary hyperhidrosis as described in
FAQ 1.
3. Can hyperhidrosis be treated?
Yes. Increasingly there are a number of available options to treat
if not permanently cure hyperhidrosis. These options range from
topical applications and oral medication to surgery and alternative
remedies. Most physicians these days are aware of the various treatment
options for hyperhidrosis though a lot of physicians now specialize
in the condition and frequent developments are being reported daily.
Usually an online search will give you the relevant information.
4. What are the current treatments for hyperhidrosis?
The most popular methods to treat hyperhidrosis are:
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Focal injections:
interrupting the signal from the sympathetic nervous
system to the sweat glands
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Topical treatments: applying
chemical antiperspirants like aluminum chloride
-
Oral
medications: treating the underlying conditions
-
Iontophoresis:
applying low-intensity electric current to the affected
areas
-
Surgery:
surgically clipping or interfering with the nerves that
cause excessive sweating
5. Do the treatments last for life?
Non-surgical treatments for hyperhidrosis such as the ones described
above usually have a short-lived effect. Though surgery has
relatively long-term impact it involves certain side effects that
may not agree
with all patients.
Therefore it is best to assume that hyperhidrosis will usually
last your lifetime. However the good thing is that hyperhidrosis
is what physicians call a ‘benign’ disease that in no
way affects longevity. Neither does it put a patient at increased
risk of any other ailment. So simply alleviating the symptoms is
a good enough way to combat the disease. 6. How is Botox used to treat hyperhidrosis?
Botox a product manufactured by the California-based pharmaceutical
company Allergan Inc. from botulinum toxin is injected into the
area in which excessive sweating occurs and stops sweating by temporary
blocking the nerve endings in that area and thus decreasing the transmission
to the sweat glands. The effect of a Botox injection typically lasts
6-10 months after which a repeat injection needs to be administered.
If you do choose to go in for Botox therapy however make sure
you find a reputable and qualified practitioner. As of now the US
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of Botox
only in the treatment of excessive underarm sweating or axillary
hyperhidrosis though research on the efficacy of Botox to treat
other forms of hyperhidrosis continues.
You should be warned however that most patients have experienced
considerable pain while being administered multiple Botox injections
in the palms. The injections also tend to be a little expensive since
a lot of health insurance companies will not pay for this form of
treatment.
7. What is endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy?
Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy also called ETS is a surgical
procedure that involves making minute incisions in the underarm to
install titanium clips that block transmissions from the sympathetic
nervous system to the sweat glands. Alternatively a minuscule cut
is made at a strategic point in the sympathetic nervous system to
interrupt the transmission of signals. The procedure takes very little
time and is virtually painless because it is conducted under anesthesia.
However there are certain side effects that you ought to know about.
8. What are the side effects of ETS?
The commonest is compensatory sweating in other parts of the body.
While there is no definite answer as to why compensatory sweating
occurs everyone experiences it in greater or lesser degree after
ETS. A lot of people fear that they will suffer dehydration owing
to compensatory sweating. While that may not always be the case
there is a risk that about 5%-10% of patients will display severe
compensatory sweating.
9. Should I try topical solutions before I try ETS?
Yes. Occasionally with relatively mild cases of hyperhidrosis
patients will secure relief through topical agents such as aluminum
chloride and patent antiperspirants such as deodorizers. Aluminum-based
antiperspirants are popularly known as astringents which plug sweat
glands. If you are allergic to a few of the ingredients in the astringents
however your skin may develop localized rashes and sting a little.
Additionally they can only be used for excessive underarm sweating
and not for the palms face or feet.
10. How does iontophoresis work?
Iontophoresis uses a simple device to treat palmar and plantar hyperhidrosis
and offers a viable alternative to antiperspirants and oral medication.
It usually has a relatively high success rate and involves the use
of water to conduct a mild electrical current through the skin’s
surface as I mentioned briefly earlier. The idea is to thicken the
outer layer of the skin so that the flow of sweat to the skin’s
surface is blocked. If iontophoresis with plain water doesn’t
work a certain dose of anti-cholinergic may be added which usually
solves the problem.
However iontophoresis is not recommended for pregnant women cardiac
patients and people with metal implants or epilepsy. Additionally
all metallic objects should be removed before the procedure and skin
abrasions and cuts should be covered.
10. So which kind of treatment is the most effective?
First of all there is no single ‘cure’ for hyperhidrosis.
One method may suit one individual and not another and the intensity
of the affliction differs from person to person so a patient needs
to discuss all the pros and cons of each form of treatment with the
doctor.
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