Understanding Excessive Sweating

Understanding Excessive Sweating

Introduction to Hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis, commonly known as excessive sweating, is a condition that affects a significant number of people worldwide. It is characterized by an abnormal increase in sweating, beyond what is required for temperature regulation. This condition can vary in its presentation, affecting specific body parts or being more generalized.

Causes and Symptoms

The precise cause of hyperhidrosis is not entirely understood but is thought to be linked to overactivity in the sweat glands. It can be a result of primary focal hyperhidrosis, affecting specific areas like the hands, feet, and underarms, or secondary hyperhidrosis, which is associated with an underlying health condition such as hyperthyroidism or diabetes.

Excessive Sweating Treatment Options

When it comes to treating excessive sweating, several approaches can be taken. Topical treatments, such as antiperspirants containing aluminum chloride, are often the first line of defense. For more severe cases, doctors may prescribe oral medications to reduce sweating. Botulinum toxin injections can be effective in localized cases, particularly in the underarm area. In extreme situations, surgical options such as sympathectomy might be considered.

Aside from medical treatments, lifestyle modifications can also play a crucial role in managing symptoms. Wearing loose-fitting clothes made of natural fibers, maintaining a healthy weight, and controlling stress levels can help in alleviating some of the discomfort associated with excessive sweating. Understanding what is hyperhidrosis provides crucial insight into choosing the most appropriate treatment tailored to individual needs.

Conclusion

Hyperhidrosis is a critical condition that can impact one’s quality of life. With a range of available treatments, from topical solutions to surgical interventions, finding the right method to manage excessive sweating is possible. Each treatment should be considered in light of the severity of symptoms and personal preferences.

Medicine for Hyperhidrosis: What You Need to Know

Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, is a common disorder that can cause significant discomfort, embarrassment, and disruption of day-to-day activities. It’s a medical condition characterized by abnormally increased sweating, in excess of what is necessary for the regulation of body temperature. It can affect any part of the body, but it most commonly affects the palms, soles of the feet, armpits, and the facial area. Though it’s a benign condition, it can lead to significant psychological and social issues, impacting the quality of one’s life.

Understanding the causes of hyperhidrosis is crucial for strengthening our approach in treating it. There are two types of hyperhidrosis: primary focal hyperhidrosis, which is excessive sweating without a known cause, often hereditary and starting in childhood or adolescence, and secondary hyperhidrosis, which is linked to underlying health conditions or side effects from medications. Understanding these types helps to identify the most appropriate treatment approach.

So, is there a treatment for hyperhidrosis?

Thankfully, yes. Treatment options are tailored to the specific needs and circumstances of the patient. They range from topical treatments and lifestyle changes to oral medications, iontophoresis, Botox injections, and in severe cases, surgical intervention. The goal is to manage symptoms effectively, improving the quality of life of affected individuals.

Medicines for Hyperhidrosis

Oral medications: Oral drugs such as anticholinergics (e.g., Glycopyrrolate, Oxybutynin) that help to prevent the stimulation of sweat glands can be prescribed for generalized hyperhidrosis or for those who have not responded well to other treatments. However, they can have side effects such as dry mouth, urinary problems, and eye problems.

Topical preparations: These are often the first line of treatment for hyperhidrosis. They include powerful antiperspirants containing metal salts (most commonly aluminum chloride) that work by plugging the sweat glands. Antiperspirant compounds are applied at night to affected areas and washed off in the morning.

Botox injections: Botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injections are a treatment option for severe cases of hyperhidrosis. Botox works by blocking the nerves responsible for activating your sweat glands. When the sweat glands don’t receive chemical signals, excessive sweating is reduced.

Iontophoresis: This treatment involves passing a weak electric current through the skin using a special device. Most common in treating sweaty palms and soles, it is effective but requires multiple sessions and regular maintenance.

While treatment can help to manage hyperhidrosis symptoms effectively, it’s essential to remember that treatment is ongoing and needs to be maintained for continued effect. It’s also important to be aware that some treatments may require trial and error, as what works well for one person may not be as effective for another. The important thing is to not lose hope and keep on searching for a solution that suits you best.

If you’re struggling with hyperhidrosis, know that help is available. Reach out to your healthcare provider to discuss treatments options. Don’t let excessive sweat control your life!

byadmin

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology about 22 million people in the United States over the age of 40 have cataracts. About half of all people over the age of 80 have this condition that clouds the lens of the eye and progressively leads to a decrease in vision. With the only cure found in cataract surgery, learning more about cataracts and their treatment can help you to answer questions for family members.

First, it is important to realize that despite the claims of some supplement manufacturers, there is no scientific evidence that any supplements can reduce the risk of developing cataracts. There is also no treatment except for cataract surgery at this time, but the type of surgery has changed dramatically providing patients with options for very fast healing with reduced risk of complications.

No-Stitch Surgery

Now, most cataract surgery is classified as “no-stitch surgery” because the entire process is done using an extremely fine tube that is inserted into the eye. This tube contains an ultrasound instrument that creates a safe vibration in the eye that breaks up the cataract into small pieces.

The pieces of the cataract are gently suctioned out of the eye and an artificial lens put in place. When the tube is removed the eye tissue simply seals over, without the need for any type of stitches. This entire process is actually known as phacoemulsification and has an extremely high success rate with very few complications.

Local Anesthesia Only

The entire process of no-stitch cataract surgery is done under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis. This anesthesia of the eye is usually done with drops, meaning no injections for those that are a bit nervous about the idea of a needle.

Patients typically do not require patching of the eye and there is minimal healing time required. Some patients, but not all, may experience mild discomfort in the eye for a day or two after the procedure. Most people do not need to drastically change their typical lifestyle during the healing process which can last up to eight weeks.

The benefits of no-stitch cataract surgery make this a good option for a wide range of different patients. You and your doctor can discuss the options, any possible risks, and any concerns that you may have before you decide if this is the right choice for your eye health.

The Pros And Cons Of Hyperhidrosis Surgery

The Pros and Cons of Hyperhidrosis Surgery By Tim F Clark

Medical treatment for hyperhidrosis typically involves careful assessment by a qualified dermatologist. At first the dermatologist may prescribe lotions or powders to try and mitigate the profuse sweating of the palms and/or underarms.

The surgical procedure to treat hyperhidrosis is called “video-assisted thoracic sympathectomy.” General anesthesia is give to patients who undergo this particular procedure. The surgeon would make 2 very minute incisions under the underarms. The incisions made are about 1 cm. (0.4 in) in length. A small quantity of carbon dioxide (referred to as “air”) is pumped into the chest cavity to shift the lung away from the operative area. The surgeon then inserts a fiber-optic camera and instrument into the incisions. The cameras are used to find the sympathetic chain that is primarily responsible for signaling the sweat glands in our body’s upper limbs and face.

It is the 2nd ganglion in the chain that directs perspiration in the palms and face, including facial blushing. The third and fourth ganglions run underarm perspiration. Your surgeon will normally talk about the different surgical choices for you based on the kind of sweating disorder that you are having.

Surgeons use various techniques in surgery to trace, fasten and get rid of the sympathetic ganglion. The procedure is termed sympathectomy. Upon the completion of the procedure, the surgeon takes out the air and seals the opening or incision. The surgery only leaves 2 minute and inconspicuous scars that are hidden in both underarms.

Success Rate and Results

Video-assisted thoracic sympathectomy’s success level ranges from about ninety-eight to a hundred percent. Surgery on Hyperhidrosis of the hands only has a recurrence rate of seven percent. It has been observed that the success rate is also encouraging for hyperhidrosis involving the axilla, however this particular procedure has a high rate of return.

Investigations have shown that around ninety-four percent of patients who undergo this surgery are satisfied with the results and would be willing to go under the knife again if the need arises. Patients normally experience compensatory sweating after surgery. This only implies that the other parts of the body, like the trunk or thighs, may exhibit more perspiration than is commonly excreted. The majority of patients think that compensatory sweating is more acceptable than hyperhidrosis.

The side effect of compensatory sweating is observed to happen more frequently when the surgical procedure corrects profuse underarm sweating. Surgeries done to correct excessive sweating on the palms, or face, and facial blushing tend to have lesser compensatory side effects. Compensatory sweating gradually decrease within the 1st 6 to 12 months. Heavy compensatory sweating happens in more or less seven percent of all patients. Risks for this surgical procedure are minimal. It is wise to discuss everything in detail with your surgeon before having the procedure done.

When complications occur, they are more often than not of minor significance and would only need an extra day or two of hospital stay to deal with. These complications may consist of:

oPneumothorax: a tiny quantity of air may linger in the lungs after the procedure or there could be slight leakage from the lung. This usually reabsorbs on its own and treatment is not needed. It is very rare for a patient to require suction drainage to remove the air.

oHorner’s Syndrome: a somewhat smaller pupil and droopy eyelid are caused by injury to the upper ganglion (called the ganglion stellatum). This however is exceptionally uncommon. Blepharoplasty, a plastic surgery procedure to shorten the upper eyelid is call for to correct a droopy eye.

oBleeding: excessive bleeding is an unusual occurrence. It is however effortlessly controlled by the surgeon. Please discuss the risks involved in the operation in detail with your surgeon.

Tim Clark writes health related articles, the majority of which can be found on his website on hyperhidrosis [http://www.treatmentforhyperhidrosis.com] , where he has a large listing of hyperhidrosis articles [http://www.treatmentforhyperhidrosis.com/hyperhidrosis-articles.asp]. For more information on hyperhidrosis surgery [http://www.treatmentforhyperhidrosis.com/hyperhidrosis-surgery.asp] just follow the link.