What is excessive sweating?

Excessive sweating, also called hyperhidrosis, can affect the entire body, but usually occurs in the palms, soles, armpits, and/or groin area. Excessive sweating is normal when a person is anxious or has a fever. However, when the condition is chronic, it may signal thyroid problems, low blood sugar, nervous system disorders, or other medical problems.

What are the symptoms of excessive sweating?
Areas that produce excessive sweat usually appear pink or white, but, in severe cases, may appear cracked, scaly, and soft (especially on the feet). Other symptoms may include a bad odor caused by bacteria and yeast in the wet skin. The symptoms of excessive sweating may resemble other medical conditions. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.

Treatment for excessive sweating:
Specific treatment for excessive sweating will be determined by your physician, based on:

your age, overall health, and medical history
severity of the condition
cause of the condition
your tolerance of specific medications, procedures, or therapies
expectations for the course of the condition
your opinion or preference
Treatment may include topical, oral, surgical, or nonsurgical treatments:

methenamine solution applications to the area (to control heavy sweating)
nighttime applications of aluminum chloride solution to the area (to control heavy sweating)
thoracoscopic sympathectomy - a surgical interruption of the sympathetic nerve pathways that lead to the sweat glands
botulinum toxin A injection (Botox®) - botulinum toxin helps to inhibit the release of acetylcholine (a substance that is active in the transmissions of nerve impulses)
tap water iontophoresis (applying a weak electrical current to the area)
psychological counseling and/or medication (to reduce anxiety)

Is there a surgical treatment for hyperhidrosis?

Surgical Treatment for Hyperhidrosis

Although alternative treatments such as oral medication, BOTOX®, Drysol® and Drionic® are available, the only long-lasting, effective treatment is to surgically stop the signal transmissions of the sympathetic nerve impulse to sweat glands. Basically, this can be achieved for all locations in the body such as palms, face, armpits, and feet. This procedure is known as Endoscopic Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy (ETS).

• The surgrical procedure and technique

The best person to perform Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy (ETS) is a highly trained, experienced, thoracic surgeon.

The operation is performed on an outpatient basis while patient is under general anesthesia administered by a board-certified or board-eligible anesthesiologist. The sympathetic nerves are located along the back, just behind the ribs. The surgeon uses a scope with magnification and illumination provided by the camera to view the sympathetic nerves. The vascular surgeon cuts or clamps the sympathetic nerves of the ganglion through two small incisions (5 to 10 mm) below the armpit area on each side of the chest. In the cutting method, the nerve is simply cut. These nerves are cut to stop or reduce the body's ability to produce sweat in those identified problem areas. Our surgeons prefer this method over the clamping method. In the clamping method, metal clamps are applied on the nerve to stop the sweating from a particular section of the nerve; the success rate for this method is low. The procedure is performed bilaterally in the same session. After patients wake up from the anesthesia, they are moved to a recovery room, where they are carefully monitored, before being discharged to go home. Patients can return to work or school within several days. The procedure is extremely effective for palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis. The endoscopic technique is very safe and is curative in 98% of patients.

• Results

The primary indication for surgery was palmar hyperhidrosis (PH) in 302 of 309 patients (97.7%), although in 7 patients (2.3%) axillary hyperhidrosis (AH) was the primary indication.

What are the alternative treatments for hyperhidrosis?

Alternative Treatments of hyperhidrosis

• Ointments or antiperspirants

This is the initial treatment for moderate or light hyperhidrosis. A product such as Drysol® is recommended. Doctors generally recommend applying it to problem areas after drying the skin completely. Wearing it only at bedtime and then washing it off in the morning with plain water reduces the chance of skin irritation. It is somewhat irritating and will stain clothing. Do not use a regular deodorant afterwards. Repeat the treatment, nightly, until the sweating is under control. After it begins to work, use once or twice, weekly, to maintain the effect, and use a regular deodorant on the other days. The medication is less effective on the thick skin of the palms and soles.

• Oral Anticholinergic Medication

Certain prescription oral medications can prevent the release of Acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter responsible for causing the eccrine sweat gland to go into overdrive. Robinul® is frequently recommended and easy to take, once per day. The negative side to this medicine is the list of potential side effects including dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, urinary retention and palpitations.

• Iontopheresis

This treatment consists of electrical stimulation of the affected areas. The site of choice is submerged in water and electricity is emitted by the device. The intensity is gradually increased until the patient notices a tingling feeling, which some people find unpleasant. After several uses, the person will sweat less for four to six weeks. To really get it to work, it needs to be used one half hour every night, per site. Treatment is repeated until sweating is under control. Drionic® is the product recommended. The results may vary: in cases of light hyperhidrosis, some patients are happy, but others may consider the treatment too time-consuming and expensive.

• Injection
  
  

Another treatment is the injection of BOTOX® into the area of excessive sweating. People who find no relief from conventional drug treatment for the persistent problem of sweaty palms or underarms may get short-term improvement from injections of a potent bacterial toxin. Botulinum toxin type A is a powerful chemical that, in its diluted prescription form, BOTOX®, has been used safely in treating eye muscle disorders, wrinkles and other conditions. BOTOX® is nothing more than a protein that acts on the junction of the nerve and the muscle, making the muscle less active. It reduces sweating by blocking release of the chemical acetylcholine, which stimulates secretion of the sweat glands. When a small amount of BOTOX® is injected into the armpits or palms, it stops those areas from getting clammy and sweaty. BOTOX® injections, however, are only temporary and have to be repeated two to three times a year. In addition, they are painful and expensive. Some BOTOX® patients say the treatment has given them renewed self-confidence, while others think the whole process is not worth the trouble. Generally, BOTOX® injections are ineffective in cases of severe palmar or facial hyperhidrosis.

What are the symptoms of hyperhidrosis?

Having palmer hyperhidrosis, axillary hyperhidrosis, plantar hyperhidrosis, and/or facial hyperhidosis is a profound and dramatic experience. It affects all aspects of life, including work and related professional activities, the activities of daily living and normal, interpersonal social actions.

Sweaty hands can occur while meeting someone for the first time, through nervousness or emotional distress. Even rubbing on a small amount of lotion can trigger palmar hyperhidrosis.

In severe palmer hyperhidrosis cases, sweat is seen to drip literally down from the hands. This is a condition which can be detected in early childhood. Patients with palmar hyperhidrosis disorder are constantly aware of their condition and think they have to live with it. Usually, the sweating of the hands is the most distressing manifestation of primary hyperhidrosis. The amount of sweating varies from moisture to actual dripping. Many patients report, also, that their hands feel cold and clammy.

Because hands are exposed in social and professional settings, many patients with Hyperhidrosis are self-conscious and may avoid social contact. They may be reluctant to shake hands or handle paperwork. Patients have even been embarrassed to hold the hands of those they love.

Axillary Hyperhidrosis , excessive sweating in the armpits, can cause embarrassing wet marks on shirts. People with this condition avoid many colors and fabrics which could show the sweat marks.

Plantar Hyperhidrosis refers to excessive sweating of the feet. It is a known cause of foot odor and athlete's feet. The combination of palmar and plantar hyperhidrosis can create a problem for a driver because the moisture of the hands and feet can build up to make the steering wheel and foot pedals slippery; this, in turn, can cause a lack of control of the vehicle.

Facial Hyperhidrosis, sweating of the face, may be so profuse that it causes the person to be insecure, appearing overly-anxious, when this is not really the case. Along with facial sweating, someone could experience facial blushing, another embarrassing manifestation of the activity of the sympathetic nervous system.

Where does hyperhidrosis occur?

Locations of hyperhidrosis Hyperhidrosis can occur suddenly or continuously, in the four major areas: hands (palmer hyperhidrosis), armpits (axillary hyperhidrosis), feet (plantar hyperhidrosis), and face (facial hyperhidrosis).
palmar hyperhidrosis | axillary hyperhidrosis | plantar hyperhidrosis |

What is hyperhidrosis?

Every day, the human body perspires to maintain constant internal body temperature. Perspiration is regulated by the Sympathetic Nervous System, which controls about five million sweat glands in the body. Sweating is controlled by branches of the sympathetic chain that is located within the chest cavity.Hyperhydrosis is a medical condition that causes perspiration far greater than the physiological needs of the body. Although no one knows why some individuals sweat excessively, it is known that the sweating is controlled by the sympathetic nervous system. Excessive sweating may be episodic or continuous.

You are about to go on a job interview, to church, or to meet someone new and you notice that your hands and underarms are sweating. Or, you’ve just completed an aerobic workout and your whole body is soaked in sweat. Your body (Sympathetic Nervous System) naturally secretes sweat to cool down the body. But, in some cases, up to 1% of the population has excessive sweating where the body (Sympathetic Nervous System) overworks to cool down the internal body temperature. The condition is known as hyperhidrosis.

Locations of hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis can occur suddenly or continuously, in the four major areas: hands (palmer hyperhidrosis), armpits (axillary hyperhidrosis), feet (plantar hyperhidrosis), and face (facial hyperhidrosis).
palmar hyperhidrosis | axillary hyperhidrosis | plantar hyperhidrosis |

Symptoms of hyperhidrosis

Having palmer hyperhidrosis, axillary hyperhidrosis, plantar hyperhidrosis, and/or facial hyperhidosis is a profound and dramatic experience. It affects all aspects of life, including work and related professional activities, the activities of daily living and normal, interpersonal social actions.

Sweaty hands can occur while meeting someone for the first time, through nervousness or emotional distress. Even rubbing on a small amount of lotion can trigger palmar hyperhidrosis.

In severe palmer hyperhidrosis cases, sweat is seen to drip literally down from the hands. This is a condition which can be detected in early childhood. Patients with palmar hyperhidrosis disorder are constantly aware of their condition and think they have to live with it. Usually, the sweating of the hands is the most distressing manifestation of primary hyperhidrosis. The amount of sweating varies from moisture to actual dripping. Many patients report, also, that their hands feel cold and clammy.

Because hands are exposed in social and professional settings, many patients with Hyperhidrosis are self-conscious and may avoid social contact. They may be reluctant to shake hands or handle paperwork. Patients have even been embarrassed to hold the hands of those they love.

Axillary Hyperhidrosis , excessive sweating in the armpits, can cause embarrassing wet marks on shirts. People with this condition avoid many colors and fabrics which could show the sweat marks.

Plantar Hyperhidrosis refers to excessive sweating of the feet. It is a known cause of foot odor and athlete's feet. The combination of palmar and plantar hyperhidrosis can create a problem for a driver because the moisture of the hands and feet can build up to make the steering wheel and foot pedals slippery; this, in turn, can cause a lack of control of the vehicle.

Facial Hyperhidrosis, sweating of the face, may be so profuse that it causes the person to be insecure, appearing overly-anxious, when this is not really the case. Along with facial sweating, someone could experience facial blushing, another embarrassing manifestation of the activity of the sympathetic nervous system.

About us

People come from around the world to the Center for the Cure of Sweaty Palms to consult with Dr. Fritz Baumgartner, an expert in the cure of palmar hyperhidrosis (sweaty palms), axillary hyperhidrosis (sweaty underarms), and plantar hyperhidrosis (sweaty feet). Dr. Fritz J. Baumgartner, Board Certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery, is the foremost leader in his field. He is a recipient of "AMERICA'S TOP SURGEONS" award for 2002-2003 and 2004-2005, and "AMERICA'S TOP PHYSICIANS" award for 2004-2005. Dr. Baumgartner utilizes the most advanced, minimally-invasive, endoscopic techniques to cure hyperhidrosis by using micro incisions that reduce muscle and tissue disruption.

Dr. Baumgartner is a highly skilled thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon. He is Board Certified by both the American Board of surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. He earned his medical degree from University of California, Los Angeles in 1984. He served his internship and residency in surgery at the Harbor - UCLA Medical Center. His two-year fellowship in cardio vascular and thoracic surgery was completed at Vancouver, BC, Canada. Dr. Baumgartner also completed additional training in aortic surgery in Germany with Professor Han Borst in 1994 and Dr. Diedrich Birnhaum in 1995. The following two years he was appointed as head of the division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Harbor - UCLA Medical Center where he still serves as Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery with active teaching duties to the students of the UCLA School of Medicine. He has performed thousands of cardiothoracic surgical procedures, including hundreds of endoscopic thoracic procedures, which have included hundreds of thoracoscopic sympathectomies. Dr. Baumgartner performed his first video thoracoscopy in 1992 and his first thoracoscopic sympathectomy for posttraumatic vasomotor dystrophy in 1996. He is a dedicated surgeon practicing cardiovascular, thoracic and peripheral vascular surgery. At present Dr. Baumgartner is with Vascular Surgery Associates of Long Beach. He has published the book "Cardiothoracic Surgery" editions 1 and 2, including chapters on thoracoscopic surgery. Dr. Baumgartner is a long-standing member of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and publishes extensively in the international journal Annals of Thoracic Surgery, as well as many other national and international journals.

Dr. Baumgartner is a leader in the field of thoracoscopy and from 1995-1997 was director of the national Veterans Administration Thoracic Endoscopy Course to instruct VA surgeons on the techniques of endoscopic thoracic surgery. He has given many hands-on practical training courses, including live operations of trainees at the West Los Angeles Veterans Administration and in Long Beach, California. He has presented at many regional, national, and international thoracic surgical meetings. Serveral international invitations to present his work in Germany and Belgium. Dr. Baumgartner offers the thoracoscopic sympathectomy procedure for those patients who suffer from refractory, intractable hyperhidrosis affecting their work and lifestyle. He was awarded "America's Top Surgeons" for 2002-2003 and 2004-2005 and "America's Top Physiscian" 2004-2005 by Consumers Research Council of America.

• Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery, UCLA School of Medicine
• Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center

HOSPITAL AFFLIATION:

• Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center, Fountain Valley, CA
• Lakewood Regional Medical Center, Lakewood, CA
• Los Alamitos Hospital, Los Alamitos, CA
• Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, Long Beach, CA
• St. Mary Medical Center, Long Beach, CA
• St. Vincent's Medical Center
• St. Joseph's Medical Center, Burbank, CA

Contact us

Center For The Cure Of Sweaty Palms™
Warner Village Building
10900 Warner Ave, Suite 121
Fountain Valley, California 92708

Telephone: 1 (866) PALM-911 or (714) 285-2385
E-mail: info@curesweatypalms.com

A FREE PHONE COUNSELING SERVICE
Our phone counseling service is there to answer any questions that you may have regarding Center For The Cure Of Sweaty Palms™. You can also make appointments through this service.

TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS If you need help with discounts on hotel accommodations, transportation, or activities planning, please feel free to call our patient care representatives. They will gladly assist you in making special arrangements. If you are visiting us from out of the area, please be sure to bring a family member or a friend to stay with you the first night of your surgery. LOCAL DIRECTIONS From Long Beach: Take the 405 South. Exit Euclid St. Make a right hand turn. Go down Euclid to Warner Ave. Then make a lelf hand turn. Go to the next light and make a U-turn. Our building is on the right hand side before the 7-11 Store. From Los Angeles Area: Take the 5 fwy South to 605 South to the 405 South. Exit Euclid St. Make a right hand turn. Go down Euclid to Warner Ave. Then make a left hand turn. Go to the next light and make a U-turn. Our building is on the right hand side before the 7-11 Store. From San Diego, Mission Viejo, Irvine, and Tustin (Jonn Wayne Airport): Take the 405 North to Euclid exit. Make a left hand turn at exit to get onto Euclid. Go straight for a few lights to Warner Ave. Make a left hand turn onto Warner Ave. Then at the next light, make a U-turn. We are on the right hand side before the 7-11 Store. From Brea, Fullerton, and Yorba Linda Area: Take the 57 fwy to the 5 South to the 55 South to the 405 North. Exit Euclid St. Make a right hand turn at end of exit. Go down Euclid to Warner Ave, make a left hand turn. Go to the next light and make a U-turn. We are on the right hand side before the 7-11 Store. From Inland Empire Area (10 Fwy or 60 Fwy): Take 10 Fwy or 60 Fwy to 57 South to the 5 South to the 55 South to the 405 North. Exit Euclid St. Make a right hand turn at end of exit. Go down Euclid to Warner Ave, make a left hand turn. Go to the next light and make a U-turn. We are on the right hand side before the 7-11 Store. From Corona and Norco Area: Take the 91 Fwy West to the 55 South to the 405 North. Exit Euclid St. Make a right hand turn at end of exit. Go down Euclid to Warner Ave, make a left hand turn. Go to the next light and make a U-turn. We are on the right hand side before the 7-11 Store.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hyperhidrosis

Q.	Why is it better for me to have surgery with a thoracic surgeon?
A.	A general surgeon has five to six years of training before he takes a board examination. A thoracic surgeon, on the other hand, has two to three additional years of training after he finishes his general surgical training (total training = 7~9 years). A thoracic surgeon must pass a general surgery board examination before he can take the thoracic surgery board examination. Whereas a general surgeon's practice is primarily focused on the abdomen, a thoracic surgeon specializes in the care of problems inside the chest.
Q.	Does thoracoscopic sympathectomy procedure stop sweating under my arms and feet?
A.	This procedure is used to cure sweaty palms only. There are cases where patients have noticed reduced or complete cessation of sweating in the armpits and/or feet as a side-effect of this procedure. Please contact our office for more details.
Q.	Is this surgery reversible?
A.	If the nerve is removed, cut, or burned by the way of endoscopic transthoracic sympathectomy (ETS), the surgical procedure is irreversible. If the nerve is clipped, on the other hand, the surgical procedure may be reversible.
Q.	What is the difference between ETS and Thoracoscopic Sympathetic Nerve Clipping (TSNC)?
A.	With ETS the nerve is burned by electro-cautery and the result typically is irreversible. By contrast, the sympathetic nerve permanently clamp with TSNC. This method utilizes a metallic or plastic clip that is clamped on the sympathetic nerve to block nerve transmission. The metallic or plastic clip can be removed at the request of the patient, and if done early enough, the effects of surgery may be reversed.
Q.	What kind of anesthesia will I receive during surgery?
A.	You will be under general anesthesia. In other words, you will be asleep during the surgery.
Q.	Are there risks involved with thoracoscopic sympathectomy surgery?
A.	Yes. As with any surgery, there is always the possibility of bleeding and infection. The risks will be discussed with you at great length during your first consultation.
Q.	Am I a good candidate for the procedure?
A.	You are a good candidate for the procedure if you are in good health, and have had no previous lung surgery. Because thoracoscopic sympathectomy is a major operation, you should weigh the benefits of the operation against potential complications and side effects.
Q.	Are there any reasons I should not have this surgery?
A.	Yes. If you have severe cardio pulmonary insufficiency, severe lung diseases (TB, Pleuritis, Emphysema), or Untreated hyperthyroidism, this surgery should not be performed.
Q.	When can I resume regular activities?
A.	The thoracoscopic sympathectomy procedure allows rapid recovery. Most patients return to full activity within a week following the surgery. Scarring is minimal since the incisions to the armpits are small.
Q.	Is this procedure covered by insurance?
A.	Most insurance companies will pay for this procedure. However, it is important that one of our representatives check your insurance for coverage prior to having a consultation. We will notify you about what your insurance covers. You may send in a Patient Questionnaire with your insurance information, or you can call us with the information.
Q.	What information will I need if I contact my insurance company on my own?
A.	Diagnosis: Hyperhidrosis (ICD-9 Code 780.8) Procedure: Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy (CPT Code 32664-Bilateral).
Q.	What do I do if I do not have insurance?
A.	Please contact the Center For The Cure Of Sweaty Palms™ at (800) 361-4403 to discuss payment plans. We accept cash and credit cards. Payments for surgeon, X-ray, and laboratory services are separate from payment to the center.
Q.	How is The Center For The Cure Of Sweaty Palms™ different from a hospital?
A.	A hospital is staffed to treat all types of medical problems and provides a much broader range of services. The Center For The Cure Of Sweaty Palms™ is designed exclusively for outpatient and thoracoscopic surgery with recovery care. Our staff offers our patients a convenient, comfortable and generally less costly alternative to the hospital. The Center For The Cure Of Sweaty Palms™ is similar to the hospital in three aspects: Dr. Baumgartner is supported by a highly skilled team trained in outpatient and thoracoscopic sympathectomy surgery and recovery care. Our surgical suites and facility are equipped with the most advanced equipment. The standards of care required by Medicare and surgical facility governing bodies are strictly enforced.

Hyperhidrosis Articles

04/27/2009	Botox Injections Fight Underarm Sweat
04/27/2009	Women Finds Surgical Cure for Excessive Sweating
02/11/2009	Six Health Woes That Ruin a Date
02/11/2009	Women Finds Surgical Cure for Excessive Sweating _ Hyperhidrosis
02/11/2009	The International Hyperhidrosis Society (IHHS) Awards Inaugural Seal of Recognition...
02/11/2009	As Summer Heats Up, New Survey Reveals Need for Effective Sweat Treatments- Int. Hyperhidrosis
02/11/2009	Excessively Sweaty Hands: a Slippery Slope When It Comes to Social Functioning - Hyperhidrosis News
02/11/2009	Women more likely to seek help for sweating: study - Hyperhidrosis news
02/11/2009	First and Only Treatment Approved by the FDA for Hypotrichosis of Eyelashes
02/11/2009	Plastic Surgery 2008 to Showcase Future of Plastic Surgery -Hyperhidrosis news

02/11/2009	Suction surgery staunches super-sweating - Hyperhidrosis News
02/11/2009	PROFNET EXPERT ALERTS: Health & Medicine - Hyperhidrosis news
02/11/2009	Excessively Sweaty Hands: a Slippery Slope When It Comes to Social Functioning - Hyperhidrosis News
02/11/2009	Suction surgery staunches super-sweating
02/11/2009	Taking the misery out of sweatingTaking the misery out of sweating - hyperhidrosis news
02/11/2009	otox for anti-ageing and anti-sweating! _ Hyperhidrosis news
02/11/2009	'Liposuction' for excess sweating
02/04/2009	Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)
02/04/2009	Long-term results of endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy for upper limb hyperhidrosis.
02/04/2009	Digital clubbing, hyperhidrosis, acro-osteolysis and osteoporosis. A case resembling pachydermoperio

02/04/2009	Excessive Sweating Impairs Quality Of Life As Much As Psoriasis And Severe Acne
02/04/2009	Treating hyperhidrosis with needlescopic thoracic sympathectomy
02/04/2009	Hyperhidrosis Treatments Provider Klima Deodorant Offers Surefoot Spray To Cure Sweaty Feet
02/04/2009	Health-Related Quality of Life After Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy for Palmar Hyperhidrosis
02/04/2009	Hyperhidrosis Treatment
02/04/2009	Injection of hot saline into sympathetic ganglia for palmar hyperhidrosis.
02/04/2009	Severe hyperhidrosis: clinical features and current thoracoscopic surgical management
02/04/2009	Hyperhidrosis
02/04/2009	Surgery Can Cure Sweaty Palms
02/04/2009	Surgical Treatment of Axillary Hyperhidrosis

02/04/2009	Hyperhidrosis
03/10/2008	2.8 Percent Of The US Population Suffers From Excessive Sweating
03/10/2008	United States Air Force Captain Soars to New Highs After Micro ETS Surgery
02/12/2008	Extreme sweaters soaked with shame
12/26/2007	Parents 'hand down' sweaty palms
12/21/2007	Sweaty Palms Hereditary
12/10/2007	No sweat: operation perspiration: extreme sweating can call for extreme treatment
10/09/2005	Video-assisted sympathectomy for essential hyperhidrosis: effects on cardiopulmonary function CHEST
10/08/2005	Stop Sweating with Acupuncture
07/26/2005	Botox Injections Fight Underarm Sweat

01/13/2005	Antiperspirant Awareness: It's Mostly No Sweat
01/08/2005	Management of Postsurgical Hyperhidrosis With Direct Current
01/08/2005	Excessive Sweating in Teens Can Cause Physical and Emotional Problems but Can be Treated Effectively
01/02/2005	The Efficacy of the Drionic Device in the Treatment of Hyperhidrosis in Juvenile Amputees
12/01/2004	FDA approves Botox for hyperhidrosis
11/01/2004	Treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis by chemodenervation of sweat glands using botulinum toxin type A
10/01/2004	Stop Embarrassment of Sweaty Palms
10/01/2004	Treating hyperhidrosis - Letter to the Editor
08/14/2004	Severe sweating treated with Botox
02/09/2004	Effective Treatments Mean Excessive Sweating Patients No Longer Swimming in Anxiety

01/01/2004	Palmoplantar hyperhidrosis: a therapeutic challenge
10/01/2003	Treatment of hyperhidrosis
04/02/2003	Treatment of hyperhidrosis with botulinum toxin type-A improves quality of life - Washington Whisper
01/06/2003	Sympathectomy
05/15/2001	Botox Sweaty Palms
01/15/2001	Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy for Palmar Hyperhidrosis
09/16/2000	Local neural block at the wrist for treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis with botulinum toxin: technica
10/01/1999	Thoracoscopic T-3 Sympathicotomy For Palmar Hyperhidrosis
10/07/1998	Unilateral segmental hyperhidrosis associated with pulmonary adenocarcinoma
02/01/1989	Management of hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis news

• What is hyperhidrosis?
• Where does hyperhidrosis occur?
• What are the symptoms of hyperhidrosis?
• What are the alternative treatments for hyperhidrosis?
• Is there a surgical treatment for hyperhidrosis?
• What is excessive sweating?
• 8 Causes of Night Sweats
• What is the probable cause of the excessive sweating? Would a super-antiperspirant help? What are other treatment options?
• When Sweating is a Problem
• UCLA Study Finds Evidence That "Sweaty Palms" Syndrome Is Genetic And Underreported
• Less Invasive Procedure Can Now Cure Sweaty Palms
• Hyperhidrosis news
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• Why do feet stink ?
• What can be done for Hyperhidrosis?
• Botulinum toxin for hyperhidrosis?
• Treatment of palmoplantar hyperhidrosis
• Hyperhidrosis excessive sweating news headline article media
• Hyperhidrosis New Research For Teenanger

What is hyperhidrosis ?

What is hyperhidrosis?

Every day, the human body perspires to maintain constant internal body temperature. Perspiration is regulated by the Sympathetic Nervous System, which controls about five million sweat glands in the body. Sweating is controlled by branches of the sympathetic chain that is located within the chest cavity.Hyperhydrosis is a medical condition that causes perspiration far greater than the physiological needs of the body. Although no one knows why some individuals sweat excessively, it is known that the sweating is controlled by the sympathetic nervous system. Excessive sweating may be episodic or continuous.

You are about to go on a job interview, to church, or to meet someone new and you notice that your hands and underarms are sweating. Or, you’ve just completed an aerobic workout and your whole body is soaked in sweat. Your body (Sympathetic Nervous System) naturally secretes sweat to cool down the body. But, in some cases, up to 1% of the population has excessive sweating where the body (Sympathetic Nervous System) overworks to cool down the internal body temperature. The condition is known as hyperhidrosis.

Locations of hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis can occur suddenly or continuously, in the four major areas: hands (palmer hyperhidrosis), armpits (axillary hyperhidrosis), feet (plantar hyperhidrosis), and face (facial hyperhidrosis).
palmar hyperhidrosis | axillary hyperhidrosis | plantar hyperhidrosis |

Symptoms of hyperhidrosis

Having palmer hyperhidrosis, axillary hyperhidrosis, plantar hyperhidrosis, and/or facial hyperhidosis is a profound and dramatic experience. It affects all aspects of life, including work and related professional activities, the activities of daily living and normal, interpersonal social actions.

Sweaty hands can occur while meeting someone for the first time, through nervousness or emotional distress. Even rubbing on a small amount of lotion can trigger palmar hyperhidrosis.

In severe palmer hyperhidrosis cases, sweat is seen to drip literally down from the hands. This is a condition which can be detected in early childhood. Patients with palmar hyperhidrosis disorder are constantly aware of their condition and think they have to live with it. Usually, the sweating of the hands is the most distressing manifestation of primary hyperhidrosis. The amount of sweating varies from moisture to actual dripping. Many patients report, also, that their hands feel cold and clammy.

Because hands are exposed in social and professional settings, many patients with Hyperhidrosis are self-conscious and may avoid social contact. They may be reluctant to shake hands or handle paperwork. Patients have even been embarrassed to hold the hands of those they love.

Axillary Hyperhidrosis , excessive sweating in the armpits, can cause embarrassing wet marks on shirts. People with this condition avoid many colors and fabrics which could show the sweat marks.

Plantar Hyperhidrosis refers to excessive sweating of the feet. It is a known cause of foot odor and athlete's feet. The combination of palmar and plantar hyperhidrosis can create a problem for a driver because the moisture of the hands and feet can build up to make the steering wheel and foot pedals slippery; this, in turn, can cause a lack of control of the vehicle.

Facial Hyperhidrosis, sweating of the face, may be so profuse that it causes the person to be insecure, appearing overly-anxious, when this is not really the case. Along with facial sweating, someone could experience facial blushing, another embarrassing manifestation of the activity of the sympathetic nervous system.