Causes and treatments of excessive sweating

Sweating is the main mechanism for cooling the body. The evaporation of sweat cools the body and maintains body temperature that cannot exceed 37 degrees, so the proteins that regulate them could be the different vital processes that occur in our body. Sweat, which is made up of water, salts, and waste, is shed in hotter conditions or during strenuous physical activity.

excessive sweating

In contrast, hyperhidrosis is not related to physical activity or outside temperature. There are two subgroups of hyperhidrosis:

• General Hyperhidrosis: Sweating that is felt all over the body. Another reason could be due to various skin diseases, neurological diseases, hormonal disorders and even being overweight. The general treatment of sweating is felt throughout the body and is about addressing the source of the problem.

• Focalized Hyperhidrosis: often appears in context to some organ or number of organs in the body. Sweating mainly occurs in the armpits, hands and feet, and face. Other common cases are sweating on the buttocks, groin, between the breasts in women, and along the back.

Focal hyperhidrosis is more common in general, and it is estimated that around 5% to 10% of the population suffers from it, both women and men. Other causes of excessive sweating are hereditary in 40% of cases and are related to overactive sweat glands in the body and the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for operating and controlling the sweat glands, the amount and timing of sweating. Increased sweating of the hands and feet usually appears in the second decade of life and in early childhood. In the armpits, it begins towards the end of adolescence, facial hyperhidrosis usually begins around the age of 40 or older.

stress and shame

Severe hyperhidrosis in times of stress and excitement in the summer is caused by excessive activation of sweat glands in certain parts of the body by the nervous system. Then the nervous system increases its activity in states of stress and those who suffer from the phenomenon sweat much more in these situations. Unfortunately, early concern about the phenomenon of hyperhidrosis accentuates the mechanism and causes increased sweating.

Hyperhidrosis causes damage to the quality of life of those who suffer from it. Injury manifested by social problems, discomfort, and avoidance of certain activities. Patients’ limbs and clothes are wet all the time, they are embarrassed to shake hands, and objects slip out of their hands. Hyperhidrosis of the feet makes it difficult to walk in shoes due to the slipperiness it causes. Excessive sweating can cause those who suffer from it to avoid social activities and job losses (lack of desire to work in representative professions).

In addition, functional problems can occur at work, such as the destruction of a computer keyboard or wetting the pages when you type. We recommend that you eliminate all foods that trigger nervous system stimulation and contain caffeine, including coffee, tea, and chocolate. It is also advised to avoid foods that are considered to increase body heat, such as cinnamon, pepper, and cloves, and foods that secrete sweat odor (garlic, fenugreek, and curry). Instead, it is recommended for cooling foods (lettuce, cucumber, etc.) and calming foods, such as oatmeal.

Surgery or pasta?

According to experts and specialists there are several treatment options:

1. Sympactomy surgery is the oldest treatment with the sympathetic nerve severed from the chest cavity. This treatment is especially effective for palmar hyperhidrosis.

2. Botulinum toxin type A injection (Botox, Dysport) – A toxin that has been exploited for several years when it was distilled in small doses as a safe remedy by injection, among other things, for excessive sweating. This treatment ensures the complete elimination of the sweat glands in the organ. Treatment should be repeated every 6-12 months.

3. Treatment with an electric current – organs induced during the process of sweating in aqueous solution containing ions, to dry sweat (especially for hands and feet). In most cases, the treatment is abandoned by patients due to its discomfort and side effects.

4. Sweat Gland Removal Surgery – A relatively new treatment that is performed only on the armpits.

5. Local therapy using ointments or deodorant – The concentration of aluminum salts neutralizes sweat, but it is usually not enough to eradicate the phenomenon (unless you sweat at a normal level) and aluminum can cause irritation, burns and clogs the glands .