Excessive sweating can be annoying and embarrassing. A health problem medically known as hyperhidrosis, it is a condition generally caused by overactive sweat glands, characterized by heavy constant perspiration particularly in specific parts of the body for example the feet, underarms, hands, back, groin and face without any external factors such as warm weather or strenuous exercise.

Depending on the causes, excessive sweating can be classified into either primary or secondary hyperhidrosis.

In the case of primary hyperhidrosis, the cause of excessive sweating is generally unknown and is found to start during adolescence. Studies have also found that primary hyperhidrosis affects 3% of the world population with about 40% of the people suffering from primary hyperhidrosis have at least one relative who is also suffering from the same problem leading many doctors to believe that primary hyperhidrosis may be a hereditary problem.

On the other hand, secondary hyperhidrosis can start at any point in life and may be due to some health problem such as a obesity, menopause, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, cancer tumors, gout, certain medications, or psychiatric disorders.

Treatment

Excessive sweating is a treatable health condition and can often be very effectively managed.

Medications

Most individuals who suffer from excessive sweating would usually go for the cheap over-the-counter antiperspirant with aluminum chloride as the first line of treatment for their sweat problem. However, over-the-counter antiperspirant is usually not effective for hand and foot hyperhidrosis and may require prescriptive solutions with a much higher concentration of aluminum chloride to effectively treat the symptoms of the condition.

Some doctors may prescribe anticholinergic medications to help stop excessive sweating. Several of these drugs that have shown promise include Oxybutynin, Ditropan XL, Robinul, Probanthine and Cogentin. However many of these drugs has important side effects, which include drowsiness, visual symptoms and dryness in the mouth and other mucus membranes.

If excessive sweating is related to anxiety, depression or nervousness, antidepressants are also used to treat hyperhidrosis but these drugs can have similar side effects as anticholinergic medications.

Another U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved medication is Botulinum toxin type A injections, commonly known as Botox treatment. This treatment uses injections to disable the sweat glands to stop excessive sweating. The effectiveness can last from 4 to 9 months depending on the severity of the patient's condition.

Surgical Treatment

In cases of severe excessive sweating, some patients may opt for more invasive form of treatment such as endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) surgery. This procedure involves cutting or clamping of the main sympathetic nerve that runs alongside the spine.

ETS is generally considered a safe, reversal, and effective procedure in treating excessive underarm sweating, sweaty palms and facial sweating and about 90% patients are satisfied with the results of the surgery. However, 10% of the patients may experience no improvement from the surgery or unwanted side effects such as compensatory sweating other parts of the body mainly the back, lower legs and thighs.

Additionally, the original excessive sweating problem may recur due to nerve regeneration, sometimes within 6 months of the procedure.

Lumbar sympathectomy is a relatively new procedure aimed at patients who suffer from excessive foot sweating that cannot be cure by endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy. With this procedure the sympathetic chain in the lumbar region is clipped or divided in order to stop excessive foot sweating. Similarly, the success rate to relief sweaty feet is 90% however patients undergoing this procedure may also experience similar side effects as endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy. There were also other reported side effects related to lumbar sympathectomy such as hypotension, retrograde ejaculation and inability to maintain erection in male patients though these issues are not medically or scientifically validated.

Other Remedies

Many people have seen great results with iontophoresis. This treatment involves placing either the palms or foot into two trays of water where a mild electric current is pass through the positively- and negatively-charged trays to stop sweating. Some "stinging" pain may be experienced in the treatment process. Women who are pregnant or individuals with pacemakers however are not recommended to use iontophoresis.

Acupuncture, another FDA approved technique, has shown to be able to help regulate the imbalance of the body's vital energy (Qi) which the Chinese believe is the root cause of excessive sweating.

Talc or baby powder can be used as a temporary treatment for excessive sweating because the powder will absorb the sweat.

Relaxation, meditation and self hypnosis has been used with some success in calming the sympathetic nervous system to control excessive sweating.

Drinking lots of water and having lots of fresh fruits have been known to help by detoxing the body of unhealthy toxins that may cause excessive sweating. Avoidance of spicy foods have also been proposed to be of help.

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