Hyperhidrosis is the medical term for excessive sweating.
Excessive Sweating
What is Hyperhidrosis?
Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, is a common problem which causes a lot of unhappiness. Sweating is embarrassing, it stains clothes and complicates business and social interactions. In severe cases the affected areas can be damp, sticky or even drenched with sweat continuously, even at night and regardless of the temperature. An estimated 8 million Americans suffer from this condition, which tends to start in late adolescence. Untreated this problem may continue throughout life.
Channel 9 television story with Dr. Gregory
What is the cause of Hyperhidrosis?
The exact cause of hyperhidrosis is unknown. Heat and emotions may trigger hyperhidrosis in some, but many who suffer from hyperhidrosis sweat nearly all the time, regardless of their mood or the weather. The condition has been linked to over-activity in the sympathetic nervous system and a genetic link has been found in families.
Some medications can cause excessive sweating (see Box A). There are certain medical conditions that can cause excessive sweating as well (see Box B). Dr. Gregory will discuss your symptoms with you to determine if your sweating may be due to one of the above.
Box A
Some of the medicines that can cause excessive sweating:
Acyclovir
Albuterol
Ciprofloxacin
Indomethacin
Levothyroxine
Lisinopril
Trazadone
Elavil
Box B
Medical conditions that can cause excessive sweating:
Malignancy
Hyperthyroidism
Infection
Menopause
Anterior Pituitary Tumor
Fever
Diabetes Mellitus
Adrenal Tumor
Thyrotoxicosis
Tuberculosis, Brucellosis
Nervous System Disorders
Parkinsons Disease
Spinal Cord Injury
Drug Withdrawal
Hypoglycemia
Anxiety
Obesity
Biochemical Agents
What treatments are currently available?
Your treatment will depend on what areas are affected by excessive sweating and what solutions you may have already tried. Some possible treatment courses are prescription antiperspirants, iontophoresis, oral medications, Botox injections and laser treatment. Dr. Gregory will meet with you and determine what treatment course is best for your particular situation.
Topical Treatments
Prescription Antiperspirants- Drysol, Certain Dri, Hydrosol
Iontophoresis – A gentle, no downtime procedure where an ionized substance is passed through the skin by use of a direct electrical current. This method is believed to plug the sweat glands with the ions. Iontophoresis needs to be performed on an ongoing basis.
Botox - In 2004 the American FDA approved Botulinum Toxin Type A (Botox) to treat hyperhidrosis that cannot be managed by topical agents such as prescription antiperspirants. When used to treat hyperhidrosis, small doses of Botox are injected to stop the release of the chemical messenger acetylcholine, temporarily blocking the nerves in the underarm that stimulate sweating. Botox injections take 20-30 minutes. This method can be quite effective, but normally only lasts from 4-6 months
Laser treatment – Currently Dr. Gregory is one of only a few physicians in the nation to offer a permanent correction for excessive underarm sweating with the Smartlipo laser. A very fine fiber-optic cannula is put under your skin, to deliver laser energy to liquefy the superficial layer of fat in the armpit where the sweat glands are. This injures/ destroys a large percentage of the sweat glands. Most of this oily fat residue is removed; the remainder is absorbed by your body naturally over a few weeks. This outpatient procedure takes only an hour and you can return to work the next day. Results are seen by the next day. Dr. Gregory has been performing this procedure for 8 months and has a 90% cure rate.
Question: If the doctor treats my armpits for excess sweating, will I start sweating more in other places?
No. Most heat loss from perspiration comes from the head as well as from the hands and feet. By stopping the sweating in the armpits, your ability to lose heat is not affected. Treatments are aimed at reducing excessive sweating.
