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What is Sweating - Excessive perspiring - hyperhidrosis?
Excessive Sweating Is Usually The Result of Overactive Sweat Glands.
Many people ask the question "why do I sweat so much?" but very few of them seek an answer or solution to this very common problem. To sweat is a normal bodily function. Not only does this release of moisture and fatty oils help cool the body during high temperatures and exertion but it helps to lubricate the skin in places like the underarms, upper thighs and under the breasts where skin may rub together. Different places on the body have a greater concentration of these sweat producing glands. Sweating may be normal, but when you sweat excessively life becomes intolerable. There is not only the smell to hide, but the hideous wet patches too. Thankfully there are no ways that you can control this excess sweating safely and easily.
Signs & Symptoms of Excessive Sweating Underarm Sweating: The most common area of the body to suffer from unsightly sweating is under the arms. Even in people who do not suffer from excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), this area can quickly cause embarrassing stains to appear on one's clothing. Excitement, activity, spicy foods and stress can all lead to overproduction of the blend of salty water and fatty oils to pour from the underarm area. One mostly forgotten fact about sweating, especially under the arms, is that this is nature's way of spreading pheromones through the air to attract or repel social interaction on the basic animal level. Perfumes and cologne are artificial masks and replacements for this basic function. One should keep in mind that some sweating under the arms provides a normal cooling function for the body. A too aggressive program of preventing all sweat can lead to clogged pores and irritated skin. While continued excessive sweating can be an indicator of underlying medical problems, underarm sweating alone merely needs to be dealt with through more practical efforts. For daily control of the problem there are many over the counter antiperspirant and deodorant treatments. It is only if the problem is so sever as to require multiple changes of clothing each day that you would need to seek professional medical relief.
Facial Sweating: Excessive facial sweating creates an entirely different set of conditions and treatments from the sweating on other parts of the body. Facial sweating or blushing is usually encountered during stressful social situations and can manifest when even other, more normally sweat associated body parts do not over produce. Quite often this disorder will begin to manifest around puberty when the body is trying to readjust to different types and levels of hormones in the blood. Unlike other areas of excessive sweating, facial sweating is not indicative of more serious medical conditions with the exception of being a possible sign of adrenal dysfunction. It is suggested that treatments utilizing various anticholinergic medicines be attempted first. Because the excessive facial sweating is usually triggered by stress, these medicines are usually prescribed in tandem with mild sedative drugs. Biofeedback has occasionally been used although there is no positive proof that this treatment works of itself or if takes advantage of the lowered stress levels entailed in the practice of biofeedback and meditation.
Of the various types of hyperhydrosis, excessive facial sweating and blushing is the most difficult to effectively treat without unexpected or unwanted side effects.
Sweating While Sleeping – Night Sweats: Excessive sweating during the sleep cycle has been found to occur in about 40% of the population so it is not an uncommon condition. While some of the problem can be solved by changing one's sleeping habits and removing excess blankets or turning down the heat in the home, there are still many other causes for this condition. It is a common occurrence for those who have reached the stage of menopause in both women and men. Due to the natural fluctuation in the hormonal levels at this age, both sexes can and do experience hot flashes and night sweats. This can result in you waking up in a pool of sweat which is highly uncomfortable and distressing. In order to diagnose the possible underlying medical causes of night sweats, doctors need to do a thorough study of a patient's medical history. As well as the obvious menopausal problem, excessive sleep sweating can also be caused by other conditions. Nearly a quarter of the people who take antidepressants find that a side effect of their medication is increased sleep sweating. Pain relieving drugs like acetaminophen will also produce this side effect. If you are on any of these medications mention night sweats to your doctor. Overdoses of niacin as well as nitroglycerine and sildenafil (viagra) are also medications that will cause these symptoms in users. Insulin for diabetics and various hormonal disorders are also culprits that can bring on night sweats. While rare, strokes and other neurological conditions will produce the same effects on the human body while it sleeps. Although, as stated, night sweats are a common ailment, they should always be investigated as there may be a serious underlying cause for them.
Types of Sweating
1. Hyperhidrosis Excessive sweating is a condition known as hyperhidrosis. Many people suffer from hyperhidrosis, and there are lots of different forms of it. 2. Primary Hyperhidrosis The most common form of hyperhidrosis is Primary focal hyperhidrosis (PFHH). This is excessive sweating that is not caused by any kind of physical activity. PFHH most commonly affects the underarms, hands and feet. 3. Secondary Hyperhidrosis Secondary hyperhidrosis is where the body sweats everywhere. This is usually caused by long-term conditions such as illness or chronic infection. This type of hyperhidrosis does not respond very well to surgery.
What Causes Sweating?
Under the arms, the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet are the most sweat gland intense while some body parts such as the lower arms and legs have the least. Along with the sweat glands, oil glands will filter out salts and oily fluids to aid in the overall sweating process. It is because of the oily secretions that bacteria can thrive on the skin and create the distinctive odor of sweat. The nerves leading to these glands will react to the body's needs. During periods of excitement or fear, these sympathetic nerves will cause the body to increase the flow of sweat. As well as spicy foods, stress can also cause a person's sweat glands to go into overproduction. There are genetic causes for overproduction of sweat as well as a number of medical conditions and diseases. If one continually sweats more than seems normal or when they are not in an excited or stressful state, they should check with a doctor to see if the over sweating is being caused by a medical condition. Medications Oral medications such Robinul are sometimes used for hyperhidrosis. However, these medications haven’t seen a lot of success because of the bad side-effects (mostly dry mouth and blurred vision). Infections Bacterial infections can cause hyperhidrosis. Here are some examples: Endocarditis Osteomyelitis Abscesses AIDS virus (HIV)
Cancers Night sweats can be an early symptom of some cancers, namely lymphoma and leukemia. If you’re worried that your sweating may be a sign of cancer, look for other symptoms, like unexplained weight loss and fevers. Menopause Many women going through menopause experience hot flashes. Some menopausal women are even awakened at night by soaking sweats followed by cold chills.
Hypoglycemia Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, can sometimes cause sweating. Diabetics taking insulin or oral anti-diabetic medications may experience hypoglycemia at night that is accompanied by sweating. Heart Attack Sweating can be a symptom of a heart attack. Other symptoms include pressure, pain in your chest, pain in your shoulder, arm or back, and shortness of breath. Get immediate medical help if you experience these symptoms.
Fevers There can be many reasons for a fever. But as your body temperature begins break, you often sweat profusely, which is your body's way of getting rid of the excess heat.
This is normal; however repeated episodes of fever then sweating and chills can mean a serious infection or other illness. Heredity Sometimes hyperhidrosis is hereditary. Some people simply inherit the tendency for excessive sweating, especially on their soles of their feet and their palms. Spicy Foods Certain spicy foods can cause excessive sweating. If you’re a fan of the spices, you may want to consider laying off for a while to see if it will help your hyperhidrosis.
Overactive Thyroid Sometimes the thyroid gland produces too much thyroxine. Along with sweating, this can cause: - Weight loss - An irregular heartbeat - Nervousness - Sensitivity to heat Tuberculosis Tuberculosis is a chronic bacterial infection of the lungs. In 2002, TB affected more than 15,000 people in the United States. It can be fatal when untreated. Among its symptoms are a fever, a cough, and of course, night sweats.
Caffeine Caffeine is a stimulant that increases your metabolic rate. People who use caffeine experience increased alertness, blood pressure, and breathing rate. However, caffeine can also makes many people feel jittery, and sometimes unable to sleep. Long-term use can lead to insomnia, nervousness, dehydration, fatigue, and excessive sweating. Alcohol Alcohol acts as a depressant to the central nervous system. It causes sweating, and can mess with the temperature regulating mechanism in the brain. Withdrawals When people quit taking certain drugs or alcohol, their body goes through withdrawals. Along with sweating, symptoms of withdrawal include: Shaking Anxiety Nausea Fever Hallucinations
Idiopathic Unfortunately there are cases of excessive sweating that just don’t have a medical cause. Doctors call this idiopathic hyperhidrosis.
Risk Factors:
There are several complications that are attributed to hyperhidrosis. This next set of tips will talk about some of these.
Sweat Rash A major disease related to excessive sweating is that of miliaria, or sweat rash. These itchy rashes can develop on anyone and at any age who arre living in a hot or humid climate. miliari is especially prevalent in small children, especially in the diaper region, as their sweat glands have not yet fully developed. The same bacteria that causes acne, Staphylococcus epidermidis, can infest the pores of the sweat glands and plug them with dead skin cells. Once the moisture produced by the glands gets trapped under the skin it can cause reddish bumps or even small blisters to appear. As well as being very uncomfortable, these blisters must be treated with a topical antibiotic to help prevent secondary infections. With the lack of cooling due to the plugged pores, there can be a small chance of overheating of the body. In an extreme form, the trapped sweat can begin leaking between the layers of skin and create lesions on the surface of the skin. In its most severe form, miliaria profunda, the rash can occur within hours of a sweat producing activity but will also subside within a few more hours. This rash tends to display a more flesh colored occurrence than the normal reddish coloring of regular miliaria. Except for some topical creams to reduce itching, there is no standard treatment. The best ways to avoid the rash is to limit sweat producing activities and keep your environment an a cooler, air conditioned level. Wearing loose, cotton or silk clothing to promote air circulation will also minimize the risk of an outbreak. If you are a frequent sufferer of sweat rash, it is suggested that frequent showers be taken to help loosen the dead skin that clogs the pores. A mild antibacterial soap will diminish the population of bacteria that are causing the condition. Athlete’s Foot Athlete’s foot is when sweat and bacteria mix, and a fungal infection forms between your toes. This can make your skin to itch, burn and crack. Athlete's foot can also make your skin peel on the soles and sides of your feet.
Nail Infection Fungal infections are common in people who sweat profusely. The most common place to get a fungal infection is under your toenail. Sometimes your nail may separate, and it may be red around the skin. You may also detect a slight odor. Jock Itch Jock itch is a fungal infection that causes itching or burning around your groin. For many people, this is accompanied by a red rash on their inner thighs and buttocks. Jock itch is contagious, so be careful who you share your towels with. Warts Hyperhidrosis can cause to bacterial infections, especially between your toes or around hair follicles. It can also lead to warts, which are skin growths caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Heat Rash Heat rash happens when the pores around your sweat glands become blocked. As a result, sweat becomes trapped under your skin, causing fine red spots or bumps that are on your upper back, chest or arms. This happens a lot to babies and young children. Social Embarrassment Unfortunately, excessive sweating can cause social and psychological consequences. People with hyperhidrosis usually have excessive sweating of the soles or palms, which can result in unpleasant foot odor. Cautions Very rarely, excessive sweating can be dangerous. Call your doctor if any of the following occur along with the sweating: Fever Weight loss Chest pain Shortness of breath Rapid pounding heartbeat
Prevention: It should be noted that some medications will cause the body to sweat more than normally. Some cancer treatments and the medicines used to threat the HIV virus will also stimulate the sweat glands to overproduce. If your sweating causes you social embarrassment, there are a number of methods from simple over the counter antiperspirants to electrical shock treatments and as a last resort radical surgery that can decrease or eliminate your penchant for sweating. Starting with prescription strength concentrations of these same chemical treatments, your doctor may also recommend iontophoesis. Running a mild electrical charge through the skin under the arms can also decrease the production of excess sweat for several days at a time. Unless your underarm sweating becomes a major problem, you should not consider surgery as a form of relief. While the current surgical treatments can be performed on an outpatient basis. They can be painful for some time and can present other side effects that would make all but the worst cases of underarm sweating easier to deal with than the treatment. Since sweating is not a life threatening decision you are usually best off searching for a safe natural and non-invasive treatment. There is a natural product called DeodeRite from Native Remedies which helps to maintain healthy detoxifying of sweat glands, particularly underarm sweat glands. By supporting elimination of toxins from the body, excess sweating is reduced and the odor is significantly reduced. There are no artificial ingredients and no side effects, so it is safe for both short and long term usage.
When to seek Medical Advice:
Dealing with overactive sweat glands is a multi-part process. Since excessive sweating, especially at night, can be an indicator of mild to serious ailments, it is best to have a doctor test to determine the cause of the disorder. If an adverse medical condition is ruled out as the cause, then genetic or environmental causes can be investigated. One of the main non-medical reasons for overactive sweat glands is an increase in stress levels. While the symptoms of stress related sweating can be treated with topical antiperspirants, it will require a more complex psychological approach to bring it under control. Some stress related sweat overactivity can be decreased with the use of meditation and relaxation therapy. If the overactivity of your sweat glands is the result of a genetic dominant marker, then your primary relief will have to be dealt with by minimizing the effects. If the overactive sweat glands are in your feet, then regular changing of cotton socks for increased air circulation, coupled with frequent switching of footwear will decrease the problem. Using medicated talcum powder will hamper bacterial growth that increases the odor caused by excessive moisture.
Treatment/Therapy: Excessive Sweating Remedies For those who suffer from excessive sweating, there are a number of treatments available depending on the severity of their condition. For the least troublesome form of hyperhidrosis there are many over the counter antiperspirants. Usually containing a small amount of aluminum chloride, these remedies are the first line of attack. When OTC treatments fail to bring relief, your doctor may prescribe a stronger form of aluminum chloride hexahydrate. This stronger form of antiperspirant must be used over a period of time to resolve the issue. Since this can cause such side effects as inflammation or rash, one may have to include a treatment of hydrocortisone cream to the affected areas in order to continue this treatment. The next line of attack against the problem of excess sweating is to attempt the process of iontophoesis. This procedure involves purchasing a machine that will use plain water to run an electric current directly into the skin. While this may sound painfull, the process is not uncomfortable and some insurance carriers will allow the purchase price in their policies. Less often used on account of the potential side effects are oral medications like glycopyrolate and injection treatments of the muscle poison botulinum toxin. Botox (tm), while approved as an anti-wrinkle treatment has shown some success at treating excessive sweating. However, the needle insertion process makes this very uncomfortable, especially in the palms and on the feet. The use of nerve blocking drugs can make this more tolerable.
For the decrease of moisture from overactive sweat glands under the arms, it is suggested that a stronger antiperspirant containing aluminum chloride be applied to dry skin before sleeping with a shower after waking coupled with a new application of a milder antiperspirant afterward. Wearing looser, more lightweight clothing will also aid air circulation and minimize the condition that causes excessive sweating.
ANTIPERSPIRANTS There are lots of different antiperspirants out there.
Most antiperspirants use aluminum salt solutions. When you apply antiperspirant, the aluminum ions are drawn into the cells, and water passes in with them. Eventually, this makes the cells to swell, in turn, squeezing the ducts closed, and that sweat can't get out. Cancer Myth A few years ago, there was a myth going around that said that antiperspirants may cause breast cancer. It’s important to know that this is completely unsubstantiated. There is no scientific or medical evidence links antiperspirants to of breast cancer. Aluminum Chloride Sometimes antiperperants not only have aluminum, but aluminum chloride hexahydrate. This is a stronger form of aluminum, and is very effective. Other Metallic Salts Other metallic salts that work well in antiperspirants are: Zirconium Indium Vanadium OTHER TREATMENTS This next set of tips will discuss some other treatments that are available for treating hyperhidrosis.
Aldehydes and Acids Aldehydes and acids work by breaking down proteins, thus temporarily closing the sweat gland ducts. They are effective, but are very short lasting. A few examples are Formaldehyde and Glutaraldehyde. Other Topical Agents Other topical agents have been used to treat hyperhidrosis. A few examples are: Boric acid Tannic acid Resorcinol permanganate Potassium permanganate Local Anesthetics Sometimes local anesthetics are applied topically as a treatment for excessive sweating. They can block the nerve conduction and reduce sweating, but they are not highly effective. Also, you can develop hypersensitivity as you continue to use them. Topical Anticholinergics Anticholinergics have been used to treat hyperhidrosis. They are usually are applied to the skin once or twice a day. Water Ionthophoresis Water ionthophoresis consists of placing the feet or hands into two water baths. Each bath is then filled with a current for 10-20 minutes per session. Generally, people do this 2-3 times per week. You can also get devices to do this at home. Medication There are a couple of different medications that help with hyperhidrosis. They include: Robinul Ditropan Probanthine Alternative Medicine Many patients seek alternative ways to treat their hyperhidrosis. These treatments include: Homoeopathy Massage Acupuncture Phytotherapeutic drugs Botox Many people have found relief from their excessive sweating by receiving Botox injections. This treatment basically shuts down the sweat glands, and has more than a 90% success rate. Hypnosis A few people have found success in using hypnosis for helping hyperhidrosis. This hasn’t been very effective for most people, though.
Psychotherapy Psychotherapy is another treatment that people sometimes seek out to help their excessive sweating. It doesn’t see a lot of success with most patients; however, it can help with accepting and living with hyperhidrosis. Acupuncture Acupuncture, as mentioned earlier, is an alternative form of medicine that is used to treat many conditions. Many acupuncturists have specific treatments for people with hyperhidrosis, and have seen success. SURGERY Sometimes, if other treatments don’t work, surgery is required to remedy hyperhidrosis. While it is only recommended in extreme cases where the overactive sweat gland activity hampers one's ability to interact on a social level, there is the somewhat risky option of surgery. This extreme solution will either be to remove the sweat glands themselves or destroy the sympathetic nerves that control them. As a last resort, thoracic surgery can be used to destroy the sympathetic nerves that control the sweat glands. Of the possible side effects are not only the risk of having the excessive sweating appear in other previously unaffected parts of the body, it can also create other nerve problems. Since this surgery includes brief lung deflation, it is at best a risky treatment and is not recommended except in the most extreme of otherwise untreatable cases.
This next set of tips will explain 3 surgeries that will help. 1. Sweat Gland Surgery Sweat gland surgery has been the traditional approach for hyperhidrosis. It consists of removing all or part of the sweat gland. The surgeon may even perform liposuction in the area to cause less disruption to the skin, smaller scars and minimal hairs loss. 2. Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy is a minimal-invasive endoscopic technique. The operation consists in making a tiny incision in the armpit, and the surgeon identifies and severe the sympathetic nerve-nodes that cause the excessive sweating. This procedure cures nearly 100% of patients, and it only leaves a tiny scar. 3. Lumbar Sympathectomy When you have excessive sweating in one specific area, especially your palms, lumbar sympathectomy may be an option. It’s performed on your back, and it takes about an hour to perform. The success rate for this surgery is about 90%. Facial sweating surgery: While the surgical procedure known as endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy, where the sympathetic nerves controlling the sweat glands are clamped off within the body cavity has been used extensively in the past, it has been mostly discontinued now. Surgically removing the sympathetic nerves that trigger the sweat glands to produce is no longer recommended for several reasons. Not only does the procedure leave the face with less mobility and sensation but the body will usually compensate for the loss of sweat generated cooling by increasing the activity of other sweat glands throughout the body. This surgery has proven to often create more problems for the patient than it cures.
This last set of tips will discuss some things that you can do at home to battle excess sweating. If you are on of the vast number of people who are prone to excessive sweating and are embarrassed by your condition, there are several simple procedures you can follow. Once you have ruled out medical or genetic causes for your condition, you can focus on various behavioral changes that could help. Stress is a major cause of non medically related sweating. Examine your current situation and attempt to distance yourself from the most stressful areas. If that is not possible, then trying some of the psychological approaches may help. There has been a good deal of success using meditation processes. Finding ways to calm yourself and learning how to cope with the troubles that beset you can offset the body's sympathetic nerves from overproducing the neurotransmitter chemicals that trigger excessive sweating. Night Sweats: If your doctor can not find a serious problem that is causing your night sweats then consider a natural remedy to help alleviate the condition. One study found that using sage and alfalfa can reduce hot flashes and night sweats considerably in some people. Sage Tea has many health benefits, one of them being a treatment for sweating while sleeping. You just simply pour boiling water over sage leaves then let it sit for a few minutes before straining and drinking. Night sweats are not only uncomfortable but can seriously disrupt your life as you are not getting the sleep that you require, and as such your body is not recuperating each day. It is vital that you seek safe remedies for the condition as soon as possible.
Bathe Often People with hyperhidrosis need to bathe or shower often, sometimes 2-3 times a day. After each bath, make sure and dry thoroughly before getting dressed. Take Care of Your Feet If your feet are the source of your sweating, there are several things that you can do to help. Here are some options: Wash and dry your feet daily. Use foot powders and/or sprays. Wear socks made of natural fibers, and change them often. Wear shoes made of 100% leather. Airy Clothing The type of clothing you wear can greatly help with excessive sweating. Light and easily breathable shirts and pants will reduce sweating and odor. Relaxation If your excessive sweating comes from stress and nervousness, you may find relief through relaxation techniques. These techniques can help with things like shyness and anxiety. Drink Water If you have hyperhidrosis, it’s very important to drink plenty of water. It can be very easy to dehydrate, so familiarize yourself with dehydration symptoms, so that you can act fast if you need to.
Diet change strategies:
Examining your diet can also reveal some causes of excessive sweating. Spicy foods especially will act upon the nerve endings to the sweat glands and cause them to overproduce sweat.
Vitamin & Nutrient Associations Even when we try to eat well, we're disadvantaged. The nutritional content of most food has been compromised over the years, not only by deficient soils and modern production, transportation, storage and processing methods, but also by the enormous amounts of chemical and artificial substances added to promote growth, storage life, taste and appearance. It's for this reason that more and more medical authorities are advocating the use of vitamin and mineral supplements. However, finding them in the right combination can be both confusing and costly. As Aloe Vera Juice is a refreshing and anti-bacterial drink, you might find that taking this daily, diluted in some filtered water will not only refresh you like ‘a shower inside you’ but also assists in dealing with any digestive issues you may also be experiencing. You may find benefit from our information on detoxification as well as a bit about detoxing because of change of diet
We wish you well in your search for solutions to this Sweating problem and your movement towards better health in all areas. More Resources available about Sweating:
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