What Is Meant By Hyperhydrosis
Hyperhidrosis is a condition which affects the function of the sweat glands in the body. Just one part of the body can be affected or it can actually affect the whole body at once. There are two main types of hyperhidrosis – primary hyperhidrosis and secondary hyperhidrosis. Primary hyperhidrosis does not usually have an obvious cause but there is usually an underlying condition which is causing secondary hyperhidrosis. Around 3 percent of the population in England suffer from hyperhydrosis making it a fairly common condition.
One of the common symptoms of this condition can be excessive facial sweating. Hyperhidrosis which affects the face will result in large amounts of perspiration affecting certain parts of the face such as lips, nose or forehead. You may even notice an excessive amount of sweating on the neck or scalp if you suffer from facial hyperhidrosis. If you find that you are constantly dripping with perspiration in these areas and have to be continuously wiping it, then it is considered to be excessive sweating.
Although it used to be the assumption that primary hyperhidrosis was a condition that was psychological this has now been discredited. Research has shown that those suffering from hyperhydrosis will not be any more likely to suffer from stress or anxiety as someone who doesn’t have the condition. It was also found that hyperhidrosis may in fact be a genetic condition.
But underlying conditions such as respiratory failure, heart disease, pregnancy, hyperthyroidism, gout, obesity or substance and alcohol abuse can all contribute to secondary hyperhidrosis. Other things which can cause secondary hyperhidrosis are some medications, certain kinds of cancers, certain infections and some neurological disorders.
You may be asking how to stop sweating but lifestyle changes cannot cure primary hyperhidrosis. But the symptoms can be made better with some treatments. The underlying condition of secondary hyperhidrosis will have to be treated for this condition to improve.
Disclaimer: Nothing contained in this article is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it beused for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional’s advice.
This entry was posted on Sunday, February 28th, 2010 at 4:27 am and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.