Hyperhidrosis Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

Natural Health News November 22, 2014

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What Is Hyperhidrosis?

Hyperhidrosis, a common disorder, is characterized as excessive and unpredictable sweating. Certain percentage of people suffers from axillary hyperhidrosis- excessive underarms sweating, or palmoplantar hyperhidrosis- excessive sweating of the soles and feet. The problem of underarm begins around puberty, whereas sweating of sole and palm can start earlier, usually during childhood. If the conditions are left untreated, they may persist throughout your life.
Of course, sweating can be very embarrassing; it can affect your social and business interactions. Furthermore, severe instances of hyperhidrosis can lead practical consequences such as problem to write, cook or shake hands.
Excessive sweating associated with hyperhidrosis tends to occur even when the person is not exercising and weather is cold. In few individuals with hyperhidrosis, sweat drips off their bodies.

What Are The Alternate Names Of Hyperhidrosis?

Hyperhidrosis is also recognized as the following names:

Diaphoresis.
Excessive perspiration.
Excessive sweating.

What Are The Symptoms Of Hyperhidrosis?

Normally, we sweat while it’s hot, exercise, are under stress or nervous. However people with hyperhidrosis sweats excessively, way more than the normal sweating. Typically, hyperhidrosis affects the underarms, feet, hands and even face (in few instances). Quite rarely, hyperhidrosis affects the complete body. Often, people with hyperhidrosis complain their sweat to drip off their hands. Mostly, its episode tends to occur once every week with no clear cause.

What Causes Hyperhidrosis?

Our body sweats to stay cool. Sweating is normal in most instances. Normally, we sweat in hot temperatures, exercise or when we are nervous, afraid or angry. However; excessive sweating of hyperhidrosis occurs with no such causes. In people with hyperhidrosis, their sweat glands become overactive and produce abnormal levels of sweat which can lead emotional and physical discomfort.
Furthermore, when hyperhidrosis affects your armpits, feet and hands, it is known as focal or primary hyperhidrosis. Usually, its cause is hard to determine, though it tends to run in families. In case some underlying condition has consequent in leading excessive sweating, it is known as secondary hyperhidrosis. In addition to this, sweating can be in a particular are or throughout your body. Few conditions identified for triggering second hyperhidrosis are:

Glucose control disease.
Some medications.
Cancer.
Anxiety conditions.
Acromegaly.
Substance of abuse.
Carcinoid syndrome.
Stroke.
Spinal cord injury.
Pheochromocytoma.
Tuberculosis or some other infection.
Heart disease.
Lung disease.
Hyperthyroidism.
Parkinson disease.
Menopause.

What Are The Potential Complications Of Hyperhidrosis?

Rarely, the complications of hyperhidrosis are serious. Even though, it causes minor skin problems, nonetheless, it can lead major psychological distress. Few complications of hyperhidrosis include:

Warts.
Body odor.
Bacterial infections.
Athlete’s foot.
Joint itch.
Maceration.
Emotional and social impact.

How Is Hyperhidrosis Diagnosed?

The dermatologist will carry out a thorough physical examination of the patient. He or she will carefully observe the areas that sweat excessively. Moreover, he will also ask certain question whose answer will help him decide what’s causing excessive sweating. Rarely, medical testing is needed. Your doctor can conduct a sweat test.