Stop Excessive Sweating Problems

There are several forms of excessive sweating that can become chronic. The common forms are sweaty palms, armpit sweating and facial sweating. In the past most medical clinicians studying the problem had chalked it off to either nervousness or overactive sweat glands. The treatments of the past were wide ranging and not very effective. The diagnosis was usually psychological in nature with recommendations for treatment being confidence building counseling sessions. There were treatment modalities for excessive sweating that included oral medications as well. These medications had mixed results with the potential for side effects that were more harmful than the sweating itself. However, studies have shown that the etiology of excessive sweating may be more physiological than psychological in nature.

Armpit sweating is arguably the worst form excessive sweating for most people. This is because armpit sweat is usually accompanied by a pungent odor that permeates clothing, and is very unpleasant to smell. This form of excessive sweating is often resistant to common deodorants and antiperspirants. Formally known as Axillary Hyperhidrosis, armpit sweating is often accompanied by the excessive sweating from the palms of the hand. Sweaty palms are known in the scientific and medical community as Palmar Hyperhidrosis. Both of these conditions together can be a serious problem for the sufferer.

What causes the often horrible odor that most people know as body odor (B.O.) is excessive armpit sweat. The odor itself is caused by a secretion of a highly viscous form of sweat from the apocrine glands. The high volume of fluid that is often obvious is much thinner and is secreted by the eccrine glands located in the armpit area.

Excessive hand sweating has been found to be genetically inherited in at approximately one half of the cases studied. Sweaty palms are a serious problem for many who need to utilize dexterity for their jobs or hobbies. Therefore, palmar hydrosis requires a definitive cure in the more serious cases.

Facial sweating is another form of excessive sweating that is a problem for many people. Women tend to suffer from this disorder in higher numbers than men do. However, the cause may be similar to other forms of excessive sweating. Excessive facial sweating usually occurs as the result of an adverse social situation that results in extreme nervousness. Public speaking or an embarrassing situation is among the more common stimuli resulting in facial sweating.

Excessive sweating in the various forms described has a similar cause. The over stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system is often the underlying reason. The sympathetic nervous system is a portion of the human nervous system responsible for physical reactions. Often better known as “fight or flight”, this area of the autonomic nervous system causes several responses that quickly allow the body to adapt physically to stressful situations. The blood in the body rushes to the large muscle groups and the brain. This allows the body to think quickly and to run away if necessary. The pupils dilate for better site and the body heats up quickly. With a sympathetic reaction large amounts of a chemical called Epinephrine (Adrenaline) are produced from glands located at the top of the kidneys. This causes the body to sweat profusely and to literally tremble.

The idea that some endocrine specialists have had to remedy excessive sweating has been surgical in nature. A common procedure was developed to stop heavy sweating around the head, hands and face. This procedure entails the literal severing and removal of the portion of the sympathetic nervous system responsible for it. The operation is formally known as, endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS). A remote camera located at the end of a tube along with a surgical instrument is passed down the esophagus (endoscopy). The tube runs along the ribcage and around the lung, toward the level of the 3rd and 4th thoracic vertebrae. The portion of the sympathetic nervous system responsible for excessive sweating is then surgically removed. The results of this procedure have had great success in all but excessive head sweating and facial sweating. The results in those areas have been mixed.

Beta blocker medication has proven to be an effective measure in the plight to stop underarm sweating, as well as some other forms. However, great care must be taken in the use of medications due to the potential for adverse side effects. For those sufferers who do not wish to engage in the various medical treatments, there are simple things that can be done to prevent sweating. There are adjuncts such as underarm sweat pads or sweat shields that can be used to absorb excessive sweat.

Some success has been found in reducing excessive facial sweating through relaxation techniques. However, this is more of a behavioral modification technique than a medical one. Facial sweating has been the most difficult form of excessive sweating to diagnose and successfully treat. Injecting the facial skin with Botox has shown some success recently.

Excessive sweating that includes the armpit, hands and face have become a common disorder that does have more of a physiological etiology than a psychological one. However, there can be elements of both present within their causes. Treatments can vary greatly, but success has been seen in the form of a surgical procedure. However, not every sufferer of excessive sweating is a good candidate for surgery. It is wise to consult with specialists and to do a bit of research first.