Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)

Conditions & Diseases: Skin Diseases

Definition & Overview: Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition characterized by excessive or profuse sweating. This abnormal perspiration may be uncontrollable and occur during sedentary activities, cool temperatures or in the absence of the conventional triggers that cause normal perspiration. Hyperhidrosis is broken down into two categories, depending on it's cause: primary hyperhidrosis and secondary hyperhidrosis.

Causes: Although the exact cause of primary hyperhidrosis is not known, it basically comes down to over-activity of the sweat glands in the underarms, face, feet, hands and groin.

"When excessive sweating affects the hands, feet, and armpits, it's called primary or focal hyperhidrosis. Primary hyperhidrosis affects 2%-3% of the population, yet less than 40% of patients with this condition seek medical advice. In the majority of primary hyperhidrosis cases, no cause can be found. It seems to run in families." (1)

Some researchers believe that primary hyperhidrosis may be caused by an over-active central nervous system.

Secondary hyperhidrosis is the result of an underlying medical condition. Sweating, as a result of secondary hyperhidrosis, may cover many areas of the body or be localized to one specific area. Some of the conditions which cause secondary hyperhidrosis include: (1, 2, 3)

Menopause
Obesity
Endocrine disorders
Heart or lung disease
Stroke or heart attack
Tuberculosis
Infection
Hormone disorders
Hypoglycemia
Alcoholism
Hyperthyroidism
Leukemia
Diabetes

Symptoms & Diagnosis: The symptoms of hyperhidrosis are clear, excessive sweating, and patients should consult with their doctors to discover the cause. Your doctor may consult with you about your medical history as well as well as give you a full examination to determine the cause. Keep in mind that hyperhidrosis may be a symptom of a more serious health problem. Tests which measure the rate of moisture are available to assist doctors in a diagnosis of hyperhidrosis.

Treatment: Although there is no cure, hyperhidrosis is treatable. Treatment methods include:

Topical treatments and anti-perspirants containing higher doses (10 to 15 percent) of aluminum chloride hexahydrate.
Botox Type A for underarms.
Iontophoresis utilizes electricity to temporarily turn off the sweat gland.
Medications containing anticholinergics which help to prevent the stimulation of sweat glands.
Surgery (Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy or EST) to slow or halt perspiration in localized areas. (1, 2, 3)

Article by Jason Morrow,
OmniMedicalSearch.com

Sources:
(1) MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Hyperhidrosis, May 2005
(2) Mayo Clinic, Sweating and Body Odor, December 2004
(3) Wikipedia.org, Hyperhidrosis, October 2006