Explaining Hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis is a condition which causes the sweat glands in the body to function abnormally.  You may find that it can affect the entire body or it can just affect one part of the body.  There are two main types of hyperhidrosis – primary hyperhidrosis and secondary hyperhidrosis.  If you have primary hyperhidrosis you will find that the sweating has no noticeable cause but secondary hyperhidrosis is usually the result of another underlying condition such as hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid).  Hyperhidrosis affects approximately three percent of the population in England and it is a very common condition.

A common symptom of hyperhidrosis 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.  The neck and scalp can also suffer from excessive sweating if you have facial hyperhidrosis.  The amount of sweating in these areas is considered to be excessive when it drips constantly unless it is wiped continuously by the sufferer. 

Although it used to be the assumption that primary hyperhidrosis was a condition that was psychological this has now been discredited.  Studies have proved that you do not need to suffer from conditions such as anxiety or stress to suffer from primary hyperhidrosis.  These researchers also discovered that the most probable cause of primary hyperhidrosis is to do with a person’s genes. 

But underlying conditions such as respiratory failure, heart disease, pregnancy, hyperthyroidism, gout, obesity or substance and alcohol abuse can all contribute to secondary hyperhidrosis.  It can also be the result of some types of cancers, neurological disorders, certain medications and even some infections. 

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.  But the treatment of secondary hyperhidrosis will be determined by the underlying condition which is causing it.

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.