Hyperhidrosis is a condition which can cause abnormal functioning of the sweat glands in the body. It can affect just one part of the body or the entire body at a time. 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). It is a very common condition which actually affects around three percent of the English population.
One of the common symptoms of this condition 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. It can also result in the neck and scalp sweating profusely. The amount of sweating in these areas is considered to be excessive when it drips constantly unless it is wiped continuously by the sufferer.
The previous assumption that primary hyperhidrosis was a psychological condition has been discredited recently by scientists after carrying out extensive research. Research has shown that those suffering from hyperhydrosis will not be any more likely to suffer from stress or anxiety as someone who doesn’t have the condition. These researchers also discovered that the most probable cause of primary hyperhidrosis is to do with a person’s genes.
In contrast, secondary hyperhidrosis can be caused by a number of underlying health conditions including heart failure, pregnancy, respiratory failure, hyperthyroidism, anxiety, alcohol and substance abuse gout and obesity. Other things which can cause secondary hyperhidrosis are some medications, certain kinds of cancers, certain infections and some neurological disorders.
You may be wondering how to stop sweating and it is important to note that lifestyle changes are not a cure for primary hyperhidrosis. However there are treatments that can improve the symptoms. Treating secondary hyperhidrosis will obviously depend on the underlying cause.
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.
