You probably have heard about sweating excess or what is medically known as hyperhidrosis, but how do you know if you are suffering from this medical condition? It is not fatal and it does not have any ill effects but the condition itself is quite embarrassing.
If you already have this condition and you would like to know more details about it, you can read through this article and find out many more things that have not been made known to you. Also, if you are not sure if you have hyperhidrosis and you would like to know about the possible causes and symptoms, this article is still the right resource for you.
Hyperhidrosis - How Science Defines It
A medical condition that is called as hyperhidrosis is a very embarrassing condition that makes you sweat uncontrollably. It is quite common especially in the United States, where almost three percent of the whole population in America are affected by it. The most commonly affected body parts reported are the hands, feet, and the underarms. Although there are no fatal effects, people who are suffering from this medical condition are ashamed by how they sweat involuntarily and excessively in public.
The Causes That May Lead to Hyperhidrosis
The causes of hyperhidrosis are quite complex and not that explainable, but in lay men terms, it can be explained as an abnormality in the stimulus given to the sweat glands. This allows them to create more than the sweat needed by the body, causing this medical condition. These stimuli can come from anywhere like the brain, the hypothalamic area that controls temperature, the medullary area that controls involuntary functions, the spinal cord stimuli, nerves, the hormones of the endocrine system, and some pre-existing medical conditions that might cause this symptom. This leads to excessive sweat in the palms, soles, and underarms and other parts of the body that normally do not sweat that much.
The Treatments That Can Stop It All
The medical condition of hyperhidrosis can be controlled and in some cases, stopped and give way to a normal life. With the proper initial step of diagnosis with the right doctor, further assessment can be made in order to find out more about it. When the condition is further assessed, the right combination of treatments as well as medications can help the person suffering from hyperhidrosis stop the symptoms that make the condition so embarrassing. Here are different types of treatment that you can consider talking to with your doctor in order to stop the symptoms.
1. Antiperspirants
Any kind of over the counter antiperspirant can be used to counter the effects of excessive sweat experienced by anyone with hyperhidrosis. You can opt for over the counter products or those recommended by your doctor. Be sure to determine if you have sensitive skin because some antiperspirants are very harsh for sensitive skin. If you want to be sure, you can ask your doctor about which products are available for your skin's needs.
The best antiperspirants are those that contain aluminum chloride because these are found to be effective against excessive sweat in the underarms. There are also antiperspirants that contain a stronger component called aluminium chloride hexahydrate but these are usually used with a prescription from your doctor. Talk to your doctor about these options for antiperspirants.
2. The Process of Iontophoresis
Iontophoresis is an effective way to relieve yourself of the symptoms of hyperhidrosis. Using equipments that drive the medication into the skin faster than taking in prescription drugs, you can effectively reduce the effects. These options may be a little more expensive but if you have the money, you must certainly give it a try to see its effectiveness. Talk to your physician before undergoing the process because he or she might have certain contraindications to discuss with you regarding the process of undergoing iontophoresis.
3. Oral Drugs for Hyperhidrosis
There are some prescription drugs that are specifically made for those with hyperhidrosis. These contain anticholinergics that reduce the symptoms of sweating for anyone who is suffering from excessive sweat or hyperhidrosis. These are slightly stronger than antiperspirants so if you want this kind of effect, you can talk to your doctor about this option. There are different types of this kind of medication so be sure to obtain your doctor's advice first, and of course, the prescription.
4. Surgery for Severe Hyperhidrosis
For those who are suffering from severe cases of hyperhidrosis, there is a surgery to help eradicate it completely. It is called cervical sympathectomy and it is usually only reserved as a last resort o r for those who really are suffering from severe sweating excess.
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