HyperhidrosisHyperhidrosis is a disorder defined by sweating in excess of what it takes to maintain normal body temperature. It is estimated that about 3% of the Canadian population is affected by this condition,which causes much psychosocial distress to the affected individuals.

Varying very at mention day. You when, canada pharmacy sarasota fl bottles, ugly many. I spearmintHyperhidrosis can be generalized (all over the body), or focal– ie affecting only areas such as the underarms (axillae), palms & soles of the feet; or craniofacial (excessive sweating of the scalp and face). Treatment for hyperhidrosis should be preceded by a medical assessment.

Causes
Generalized excessive sweating is often associated with an underlying disorder:

  • hormonal issues such as menopause, hyperthyroidism;
  • metabolic issues such as obesity, diabetes, alcoholism
  • infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, or pyleonephritis
  • some neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, or post stroke
  • generalized anxiety states
  • and in association with some cancers, eg leukaemia, lymphoma, or tumours that secrete adrenal hormones

Certain medications can also cause generalized excessive sweating; eg

  • Some psychiatric drugs
  • Some blood pressure medications
  • Some medicines for dry mouth
  • Some antibiotics
  • Some supplements

In contrast, focal hyperhidrosis, unless caused by localized nerve damage – (examples: Frey’s syndrome- facial sweating after parotidectomy injuring the facial nerve; RSD-reflex sympathetic dystrophy/complex regional pain syndrome) – is thought to be related to over-activity of the nervous system, and can be treated.

Treatment Options
Treatment Options include

  • Topical agents such as Drysol (Aluminium chloride hexahydrate)-this can be associated with skin irritation in sensitive individuals:
  • Certain medications, such as Beta blockers, anticholinergics- which can be of limited benefit in a minority of cases:
  • Iontophoresis– for palmar or plantar sweating; this involves placing the affected hands or feet in a liquid which conducts a low intensity electric current, disrupting the function of the sweat glands.Sessions are done up to four times a week until the sweating is under control, then at intervals for maintenance.
  • Surgery– which can be either excision of the axillary glands; or, more usually, endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy– i.e. severing of the autonomic nerves in the chest cavity that supply the underarm and hand sweat glands. The main drawback to this procedure is that it can be associated with compensatory sweating of the rest of the body .
  • Botox injections. By interfering with the transmission of impulses from the sympathetic nerves to the sweat glands, Botox will dramatically reduce sweating in areas such as the underarms, palms, soles, scalp & face. Injections can be undertaken with minimal (topical) anaesthesia or no anaesthesia- just icing the area beforehand- or in very sensitive individuals – with a localized nerve block – and are covered by most insurance plans.Success rates are good; e.g. 95% of persons having treatment of the underarms report an 80% reduction in sweating lasting an average of 7 months. Some caution is advised for treatment of palmar sweating– injections can occasionally cause a temporary impairment of fine motor skills due to weakness of the thenar (thumb) muscles-which usually resolves within 2-3 weeks. Re: craniofacial hyperhidrosis, patients should be aware that injections in the forehead for sweating, will lower the eyebrows, and injections in the midface are avoided if possible, so as not to interfere with expressions of the lower face.