Worried About Excessive Sweating?

Excessive sweating, medically called hyperhidrosis, usually affects any combination of the underarms, palms, soles or groin.

The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center says possible causes of excessive sweating include running a fever or feeling anxious. But the symptom also can signal a more serious medical condition, including: 1. Having a problem with the thyroid gland. 2. Having low blood sugar. 3. Having a nervous system disorder. Hyperhidrosis Facts: 1. Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, is a common disorder. 2. Axillary hyperhidrosis is excess sweating of the underarms. 3. Palmoplantar hyperhidrosis is excess sweating of the palms and soles. 4. Hyperhidrosis usually occurs in people who are otherwise healthy. 5. The approach to treating hyperhidrosis generally proceeds from OTC antiperspirants to prescription antiperspirants, iontophoresis, microwave destruction of sweat glands, oral anticholinergic medications, Botox, and surgery. What is hyperhidrosis?

Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, is a common disorder that produces a lot of unhappiness. An estimated 2%-3% of Americans suffer from excessive sweating of the underarms (axillary hyperhidrosis) or of the palms and soles of the feet (palmoplantar hyperhidrosis). Underarm problems tend to start around puberty, while palm and sole sweating may begin earlier, often during childhood. Untreated, these problems may continue throughout life. Sweating is embarrassing, it stains clothes, and it complicates business and social interactions. Severe cases can have serious practical consequences as well, making it hard for people who suffer from it to hold a pen, grip a steering wheel, or shake hands. What is the cause of hyperhidrosis? Although neurologic, metabolic, and other systemic diseases can sometimes cause excessive sweating, most cases occur in people who are otherwise healthy. Heat and emotions may trigger hyperhidrosis in some, but many who suffer from hyperhidrosis sweat nearly all the time, regardless of their mood or the weather.