Description

The body cools itself by sweating. In most cases, sweating is normal and healthy. However, some people may experience hyperhidrosis, excessive sweating is a frequent and even constant.

Hyperhidrosis is the secretion (expenditure) of sweat in amounts greater than required to cool the body. Usually there is excess sweat on palms, soles and armpits.Anxiety, embarrassment and disruption of daily activities can be caused by hyperhidrosis.

Cause

The cause of hyperhidrosis is the body’s temperature regulation system and sweat glands. There are two types of sweat glands in the skin, namely apocrine glands and Eccrine glands. Eccrine glands, found in most of the body and open directly to the skin surface. Apocrine glands develop in areas that are filled with hair follicles, such as the groin, armpits and scalp.

Autonomic nervous system stimulates these glands to secrete fluid onto the surface of the skin when the body temperature rises, which serves to cool the body. Largely contained in the sweat is water and salt (sodium chloride).

This type of hyperhidrosis usually determine the cause:

1. General Hyperhidrosis
Large areas of the body affected by the type of hyperhidrosis. Hyperhidrosis can also be a side effect of drugs consumed by the body.

2. Focal hyperhidrosis
Excessive daytime sweating on palms and soles or occasionally on the armpit are usually the type of focal hyperhidrosis. Usually the same on both sides of the body (bilateral), for example on both palms.

This species is not associated with an underlying condition and usually begins before age 20. This type usually runs in families, so it may involve a genetic component, but the exact cause is still unknown.

Symptom

Usually people sweat when they do physical activity, exercise, stress, nervous or anxious. If sweating more than normal, then it can be called hyperhidrosis.

Some of the signs and symptoms of hyperhidrosis, including:
1. Abnormally excessive sweating on the face, head, legs and armpits to disturbing.
2. There are sticky or droplets of sweat on the palms or soles.
3. Clothing is often wet because of excessive sweating.

Consult with your doctor when it encountered the following symptoms:

1. Hyperhidrosis usually occurs at least once a week for no apparent reason.

2. Often excessive sweating at night for no apparent reason.

3. Experiencing a cold sweat, especially accompanied by chest and abdominal pain.
These conditions are usually associated with symptoms of heart disease.

Treatment

The treatment is usually recommended for the condition hyperhidrosis, among others:

1. Anticholinergic drugs
Someone may be prescribed anticholinergic medications such as Glycopyrrolate in the case of hyperhidrosis in general. Usually, after using the drug for about two weeks, signs and symptoms improve.

However, these drugs can have various side effects due to acetylcholine worked on several structures in the body, not just the sweat glands. Some of the signs and symptoms of side effects of anticholinergic drugs, among others:
a. Blurred vision
b. Constipation
c. Loss of appetite
d. Urinary retention
e. Dry mouth
f. Dizziness

2. Antiperspirant
To achieve best results, antiperspirant should be worn at night to the areas most prone to sweat. People should wash their medication in the morning to prevent irritation of antiperspirants can cause red skin, swelling and itching.

3. Botulinum toxin
Injections of botulinum toxin effective for treating hyperhidrosis by blocking the nerves that trigger sweat glands.

4. Iontophoresis
Battery-powered tools to be used in this procedure when a patient’s body submerged in water, then given a low level electrical currents to the hands, feet, or armpits. Sweat glands can temporarily blocked on this procedure. Iontophoresis is usually safe and can be done at home.

5. Surgery
Surgery could be an option in some rare cases. Removing the sweat glands in the armpit can help in cases of excessive sweating that occurs only in the area. Cutting the nerves that carry messages from the sympathetic nerves to sweat glands are different procedures. This operation can be performed using a procedure known as endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy.

Sources: Epharmapedia