Hyperhidrosis (Excessive Sweating) At a Glance.

Hyperhidrosis better known as "excessive sweating" in common parlance affects nearly 2% of the population in United States irrespective of race and sex. Hyperhidrosis is essentially a dermatologic and neurological disorder characterized by excessive sweating of the eccrine sweat glands. Hyperhidrosis, which is sweating in excess of that required for normal thermoregulation, is a condition that usually begins in either childhood or adolescence. Although any site on the body can be affected, the sites most commonly affected are the palms, soles, and axillae. Localized hyperhidrosis, unlike generalized hyperhidrosis, usually begins in childhood or adolescence. In a study of 850 patients with palmar, axillary, or facial hyperhidrosis, 62% of patients reported that sweating began since before they could remember; 33%, since puberty; and 5%, during adulthood.

You are not alone if you suffer from excessive sweating. While sweating is a normal human bodily function, some people naturally sweat more or less than others. Millions of people exhibit symptoms of hyperhidrosis--including excessively sweaty palms, sweaty hands, armpits, feet or facial blushing. The degree of sweating varies and may range from tolerable moisture to dripping wet. To understand what is Hyperhidrosis or "excessive sweating", we need to understand why is "Hyperhidrosis" caused? Generalized hyperhidrosis may be the consequence of autonomic dysregulation, or it may develop secondary to a metabolic disorder, febrile illness, or malignancy. In its localized form, hyperhidrosis may result from a disruption followed by abnormal regeneration of sympathetic nerves or a localized abnormality in the number or distribution of the eccrine glands, or it may be associated with other (usually vascular) abnormalities. Essentially hyperhidrosis, a disorder of the eccrine sweat glands, is associated with sympathetic over activity.

Some individuals sweat in excess, causing problems with school, work, and social situations. It is often a severe and emotionally distressing problem for people with the condition. For those who have never had to suffer from it, it is difficult to imagine the social awkwardness and embarrassment that this condition can cause. Sweating is embarrassing, it stains clothes, ruins romance, and complicates business and social interactions. A person suffering from "excessive sweating" may find it difficult to negotiate everyday social situations that require them to mingle closely with others. Typically these people tend to possess low self-esteem and prefer to remain isolated from their peers. Untreated, these problems may continue throughout life. Estimates show that only 38% of the patients had discussed their sweating with a health care professional because many are unaware that excessive sweating is a treatable medical disorder. Studies show that hyperhidrosis impacts quality of life as it affects work productivity, confidence, social comfort; emotional well being and wardrobe choices. The good news is that a majority of these symptoms can be successfully treated. Effective treatments are now available to help those with hyperhidrosis. Treatment for hyperhidrosis can be done surgically as well as through effective medical guidance and prescription. Surgery may result in complications and are not reversible, this option is rarely used, and then only as a last resort.

Learn the right steps to take to eliminate or control hyperhidrosisand be able to live your life without having to worry about excessive sweating