Hyperhidrosis
Commonly thought notion is that sweating is a symptom of natural health and an outcast of necessary excretory oils. Yes, it is right when sweating is normal. The condition where sweating rate goes to the highest level, it becomes a disease called hyperhidrosis. It is quite unpredictable and apparently takes no logic behind. Patients even perspire while sitting in cooler environment or enjoying their rest time. In this condition various body parts sweat more than their physical needs. As per to estimation; world’s 2 % population suffers with hyperhidrosis. Different body parts are badly affected by the high perspiration.
Common perception of population towards hyperhidrosis is that it happens due to hyperactivity or when becoming over anxious. While in real there is no connection between the disease and this logic. It can even happen when one is completely non active and has balanced emotional system. It shows the automatic nature of sweating glands and also reveals their involuntary nature as compared to sensory nervous system which is totally involuntary. Hyperhidrosis mostly affects hands, feet and underarm parts. It can affect the patient in a very negative way as it becomes hindrance in social gatherings.
Patients do have sweaty palms, sweaty feet and armpits. It is commonly an inherited condition and mostly affects those who suffer social or emotional disturbances. The explanation of the successive perspiration is very simple. It is as that a part of our nervous system becomes sympathetic. A sympathetic part is that on which we lose our control and it starts working autonomously.
Usually sweating is a natural cooling factor but is curse when becomes hyperhidrosis. Sweating keeps body cool by evaporation. People sweat relatively more, when doing some exercise or heavy work. In the similar way inhabitants of warmer climate perspire at relatively high rate. Perspiring rate also goes higher in risky conditions or when one is facing danger, getting embarrassed and in extreme anger.
Hyperhidrosis is a condition when a person excessively sweats with unpredictable conditions. Unlike natural conditions it continues even when one is at rest or sitting in a cooler environment. The alternative names of the disease are excessive perspiration and diaphoresis. People suffering with hyperhidrosis become irritable on account of their excessive loss of water.
It is due to hyperactivity of sweating glands which causes person to perspire highly. It does not follow any natural triggers as those mentioned above. Person suffering with hyperhidrosis may face discomfort both; physically and emotionally. When going in details, you will find no reason for primary hyperhidrosis. It seems genetically inherited in family’s generations after generations. Primary hyperhidrosis is a condition where sweating affects hands, feet and armpits. Usually population takes it normal and very few seek medical advice.
Hyperhidrosis may be congenital or an acquired trait depending upon the nature of the disease. Congenital is the disease which is inherited in off springs from their parents. While acquired trait means that it may have a connection with physical, emotional or social set up of the patient. In both of the cases human nervous system fails o control the high rate of sweat. The relevant part becomes sympathetic and starts working autonomously. As a result patient becomes irritable, exhibits short temperament and complains a usual uneasiness. People having sweaty hands often feel embarrassment when present in social gathering because buddies avoid shaking hands with the patient on account of wetness present.
There is another type of hyperhidrosis being known as secondary hyperhidrosis. Secondary hyperhidrosis is a condition where sweating is the outcome of another medical condition. These conditions may include cancer, anxiety, heart diseases, lung disease, spinal injury and tuberculosis. Patients lose their weight and complain of having lack of appetite. It is also considered that in some cases, it is due to emotional balance disturbance. The commonly found symptom of hyperhidrosis is wetness while the details can diagnosed only during the visit of a doctor. Different patients feel different conditions like some feel that their sweating rate is higher at night while others may face vice versa condition.
Foot sweating or planter hyperhidrosis is also another type which makes feet wet and keeps them sweaty. It may not have the same social impact on the patient as it does have in case of hands’ sweating. Yet, it is equally bothersome for the patient. Very often heard complains of people having sweaty feet are continuous change of shoes and socks. This type is dealt by medical operation.
It is commonly thought misunderstanding that deodorants control sweating. Therefore these are purchased in larger amounts in warmer areas. While the fact is that these do not help controlling sweat but lessen the body order. People suffering with too much sweating should make excessive use of antiperspirants. These have aluminum chloride which plugs the sweating ducts. This is a common remedy being applied throughout the world. Yet the risk is that one with higher amount of aluminum chloride may damage your skin or clothing. Yet it is a must to avoid excessive perspiration.
There is no solid cause found behind the excessive sweating. Simply it is an outcome of excessive secretion of sweating glands which may become hyperactive at any stage of life. Children who spend a part of their life under constant fear or anxiety become vulnerable victim of hyperhidrosis and their affected part is of their hands. They are unable to control this sweating hence; make often use of pills, hand wash and other herbal medications.
The very often prescribed element for hyperhidrosis is that of aluminum chloride which helps to bring down the hyperactivity of the sweating glands. It plugs their way and thus helps to save the energy. Yet a risk is present in its excessive use i.e. its high concentration may damage the skin of the patient or fade the color of the clothing. Commonly prescribed concentration is 10-15%. These are easily available as antiperspirants in the market. They are very commonly used as self medication because a part of population is aware of its specific uses. Young generation also keeps deodorants with them in order to lessen the particular sweating smell.
By: Ammarah Khan
