Treating Hyperhidrosis

Treating Hyperhidrosis

Excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis is caused by a dysfunction in the sympathetic nerve chain. A patient suffering from hyperhidrosis will find himself sweating beyond the physiological need of the body to maintain a regulated temperature. The Body parts most commonly affected are the hands (Palmer Hyperhidrosis), feet (Planter Hyperhidrosis), face (erthrophobia), and armpits (axillary sweating). Experts have found that there is in fact a genetic component in this condition.

In about 40% of the cases there is a family history of hyperhidrosis although not everyone knows of a family member who suffers from this ailment. In cases here there is no family history, the patient may be the first to carry these genes. Regrettably, hyperhidrosis is a life long condition and does not go away without treatment.

Surgical Options

There have been significant advancements in the treatments available to overcome hyperhidrosis. Earlier, surgery to treat this condition was complicated and considered risky. Today, a procedure called Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy (ETS) is available to patients, which claims to offer a life-long solution. This is a minimally invasive procedure done, as the name suggests, endoscopically, on the spinal sympathetic nerves.

It is performed on an outpatient basis, which means that the patient returns home the same day. It is extremely precise and the complication rate is very low.

There are two methods –cutting and clamping. In the former the nerve is cut, either by electric cautery, or a harmonic scalpel (ultrasound device). In the latter the segment of the nerve that is causing the problem is clamped with titanium clips. The clamping method is reversible while the cutting method is not.

Although it considerably reduces sweating in the armpits and palms, the effect may not be permanent. The reason for recurrence is not known. It could be due to re-growth of the nerve that has been clamped. Also, the patient may develop compensatory hyperhidrosis in other parts of the body. Post procedure, the patient may also develop dryness and an unfavorable skin warmness. It is not recommended for patients suffering from Planter Hyperhidrosis as it may impede sexual functions of the body. Read about ETS Negative Effect.

Non –Surgical Options

There are also non-surgical treatments for hyperhidrosis. These include BOTOX® lotions, pills, electronic devices, acupuncture, anti-anxiety medications, beta blockers, biofeedback, and herbal medicines.

Oral Medication: Similar to those used to treat peptic ulcer, these anticholinergic medications such as Robinul, Ditropan® and Pro-banthine®, have limited success. Side-effects include blurry vision and dryness in the mouth.

Beta Blockers: are helpful, but not suitable for people with asthma or vascular diseases.

Electronic devices: Drionic is an electric machine that uses iontophoresis to reduce the production of sweat. A weak electrical current is passed across the hands which are soaked in water. This treatment needs to be done on a regular basis, although success rate is limited.

BOTOX®: This is a short-term treatment for hyperhidrosis, its effects lasting for only three to six months. It is becoming increasingly popular for treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis. However, its use for treating sweaty palms and soles has not been approved by the FDA. You may need local or general anesthesia, as these injections can be quite painful.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jack_Smith

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Hyperhidrosis Treatments

Hyperhidrosis Treatments

Hyperhidrosis can be found in many different forms and although it can affect any area of the skin the most common types of Hyperhidrosis are: palmar, axillary, facial of pedal Hyperhidrosis.

Finding the cure - medication

Hyperhidrosis can be treated both with medical drugs and through surgery. People suffering from this disease can try topical anti-perspirants, like aluminum chloride or Drysol, oral medicines such as glycoprrolate or Robinol, amitriptyline, even Botox. When used regularly, medical treatment can decrease the problem, cure it for a short period of time but can also have important side effects. This is why its advisable to consult your doctor regarding your drug treatment. The main issue here is that since medical drug treatment require long term dosages and continuous drug treatment, this also leads to side effects. Natural hyperhidrosis treatments are also available (such as herbal anitperspirants or acupuncture) but they are almost ineffective on aggravated excessive sweat cases – you can find out more about this on hidrosiscure.com.

Surgery for Hyperhidrosis

Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy is the most common hyperhidrosis surgical procedure. Also known as ETS, this type of surgery is mostly used to treat axillary hyperhidrosis, combating underarm sweat. There are three different ways in which the Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy surgical procedure can be performed:

• ETS, or sympathectomy by clamping, is a procedure in which the nerve activity is interrupted by applying a clamp on them.

• Sympathetic nerve resection is a different procedure, where the nerves are cut in specific areas. This may be effective in some cases, but it is a permanent operation and cannot be reversed.

• Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy by cutting removes the majority of the nerves responsible for excessive sweating, and the effects are permanent.

Tips to combat excessive sweating

1. As a patient of hyperhidrosis you may find your clothing becoming damp and giving off an unpleasant odor. You will probably be spending several hours a day dealing with the excessive sweating -- wiping, re-freshening, showering, bathing, and washing clothes. Repeated washing and use of deodorizing soaps can alleviate the problem but an overuse of these soaps can also cause dermatitis. It would be advisable to choose a cleanser that is 100% soap free.

2. As you may need to change your clothes several times a day, it is advisable to wear loose fitting garments tailored in materials that do not stain easily.

3. Try to keep the folds between the skin, like under the neck, as dry as possible to avoid skin problems.

4. If you suffer from Planter Hyperhidrosis (hyperhidrosis affecting the soles of the feet) you may find that your feet develop an unpleasant smell and are prone to secondary skin infections. You can purchase absorbent shoe insoles, but do replace these frequently. Avoid wearing the same pair of shoes two days in a row.

5. You will also find that your shoes get damaged quite easily. To increase their life span, you should leave them out to dry.

6. Using antiperspirants will give you some relief from the displeasing odors. Antiperspirants come in many forms - sprays, sticks, roll-ons and paints, and are different from deodorants. The former affect the production of sweat while the latter only disguise the unpleasant odor.

7. Choose a non-fragranced aluminum salt antiperspirant, which has 10-25% alcohol content. When applying, after a shower, and just before going to bed, make sure that the skin is dry. Wash it off in the morning. Use it for several consecutive nights and then you can taper it down to one or twice a week. If you find the antiperspirant irritating your skin, you can apply hydrocortisone cream.

8. For mild hyperhidrosis, you may find talcum powder and corn starch powder effective. Apply in between skin folds and toes to absorb the sweat.

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