Explaining Hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis is a condition which affects the function of the sweat glands in the body.  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.  Although there is usually no evident cause for primary hyperhidrosis, secondary hyperhidrosis is usually caused by another underlying health condition such as an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).  Around 3 percent of the population in England suffer from hyperhydrosis making it a fairly common condition.

You may find that one of the symptoms you will experience with this condition will be excessive facial sweating.  Various parts of the face such as the nose, forehead or lips will experience an excessive amount of sweating if the person is suffering from hyperhidrosis of the face.  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.  Sufferers of primary hyperhidrosis have been found to be no more likely to have a problem with stress or anxiety than someone without 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 want to know how to stop sweating but you should know that primary hyperhidrosis cannot be cured by lifestyle changes.  However there are treatments that can improve the symptoms.  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.