Perspiration Glands: Understanding The Basics and Dealing with Excessive Sweating

The human body is an intricate network of systems and organs, working in sync to keep us alive and functioning. One of these components, often overlooked, is the perspiration or sweat glands. These are small, tubular structures in the skin primarily responsible for the production and secretion of sweat. Chronic excessive sweating disorder, known as hyperhidrosis, can be particularly troublesome, with palmar excessive sweating treatment being a main concern for affected individuals.

Sweat glands are categorized into two types: eccrine and apocrine glands. The eccrine glands are the most common sweat glands, found on almost the entire body surface, with a higher concentration on the forehead, palms, and soles of the feet. These glands secrete an odourless, clear fluid (sweat) comprised of water, salt, and other minerals to help cool the body when it overheats due to physical exertion or high temperatures.

On the other hand, apocrine glands are larger and found in specific areas like the armpits and groin. These produce a viscous and cloudy sweat, characterized by a unique scent due to its interaction with skin bacteria. The scent, often known as body odor, serves certain pheromonal functions.

Our understanding and knowledge of the perspiration system are crucial in cases of hyperhidrosis. This condition can affect the whole body but is usually localized to certain areas, namely the palms (palmar hyperhidrosis), feet (plantar hyperhidrosis), armpits (axillary hyperhidrosis), and face (facial hyperhidrosis).

Particularly, palmar hyperhidrosis is a cause of social and psychological discomfort because of the visible excessive sweating. It often begins in childhood or adolescence and can impact an individual’s quality of life negatively. The embarrassing implications may lead to avoidance of social situations or holding hands, for example. Apart from the emotional aspects, there can also be practical difficulties like trouble with handling paper or small objects due to damp hands.

Approaching Palmar Excessive Sweating Treatment

Although there is no definitive cure for hyperhidrosis, there are a few potential palmar excessive sweating treatments ranging from lifestyle modifications, topical therapies, oral medications, to invasive surgical procedures.

Simple home remedies consist of regular hand hygiene practices, usage of absorbent materials, and acclimatizing the body to hotter temperatures. Over-the-counter topical treatments like antiperspirant sprays or creams that contain aluminum chloride can be used for mild conditions. If these methods prove ineffective, medical treatments are recommended.Medications, generally anticholinergics, can suppress the activity of sweat glands, thus controlling excessive sweating. However, these may have side effects like blurred vision, dry mouth and urinary problems.

A highly targeted treatment option involves Botox injections, which work to block the nerve signals responsible for sweating. Medical devices using Iontophoresis – a method that uses water to conduct a mild electrical current through the skin – have also shown promise. Ultimately, for severe cases unresponsive to other treatments, surgical procedures exist. These typically involve cutting or scraping out the sweat glands or sympathetic nerve interruption.

Therefore, while perspiration is a natural and vital process for the body, some individuals suffer from excessive sweating. By understanding the nature of perspiration glands and the mechanisms behind sweat production, treatment options for those suffering from conditions like palmar hyperhidrosis can help make their lives easier and more enjoyable.

Sweating is a natural function of the human body, and it plays a crucial role in maintaining body temperature and overall health. However, when it becomes abnormal, it can cause significant discomfort, embarrassment, and potentially indicative of underlying health issues. The medical term for excessive sweating is “Hyperhidrosis”.

Understanding Hyperhidrosis

In medical terminology, the term “Hyperhidrosis” is a combination of two Greek words: “Hyper” which means excessive, and “hidrosis” which is derived from “hidros”, means sweat. So, Hyperhidrosis refers to the condition of excessive sweating beyond what is necessary for the body to naturally cool down. This condition can affect various parts of the body, yet it most commonly affects the palms, soles, underarms, and occasionally the face. It can occur irrespective of the temperature or physical activity level. The significant factor here is that the sweating is involuntary and could occur even at rest or in cool temperatures.

The Causes of Hyperhidrosis

The underlying causes of hyperhidrosis are not always clear. Sometimes it’s genetic, other times it can be due to underlying health problems. Primary Hyperhidrosis, where the excessive sweating is the main problem, often appears in adolescence or earlier. Secondary Hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating caused by another condition like infection, metabolic diseases, neurological problems, and menopause, among others.

Diagnosis of Hyperhidrosis

Doctors usually diagnose hyperhidrosis based on the severity of symptoms and a physical examination. Sometimes they may recommend testing like blood or urine tests to rule out underlying conditions that might be contributing to excessive sweating. The “sweat test” involves applying a powder to the skin that turns a different color when it gets wet. There are also more advanced diagnostic tools available such as the thermoregulatory sweat test, or TST, which maps the areas of excessive sweating over the body surface, or QSART, Quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test, which measures sweat production.

How Is Excessive Sweating Treated?

For those asking “how is excessive sweating treated?”, there is a range of options available, depending on the severity of the condition and the parts of the body affected. The treatment often begins with the use of antiperspirants. If antiperspirants are not effective enough, other treatments like oral medications, botox injections, iontophoresis (a treatment that uses small electric currents), and surgeries can be suggested. Lifestyle modifications such as wearing loose clothing, avoiding spicy foods and caffeine, which might trigger episodes of excessive sweating, can also be advised by doctors.

Conclusion

While excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis can be embarrassing and uncomfortable, it is important to remember that it is a treatable condition, and many treatment options can help manage symptoms and improve the quality of life. If you or someone you know is dealing with the issue, do not hesitate to seek medical attention. Always remember, more than being a cosmetic issue, it could be indicative of underlying health conditions.

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Progress in modern medicine is an exciting thing. New advancements and discoveries in science and technology have been enabling us to develop new treatments, as well as improving current medical equipment and procedures. One aspect of medicine that has taken huge leaps forward in the last century or so is surgery. Today, surgery can be done safely and painlessly on any part of the body, even delicate areas such as the eyes and the brain. Eye surgery, especially, requires great sensitivity and precision. With the help of lasers, eye surgery now has an even higher rate of success than ever before.

How Has Eye Surgery Been Improved?

Just a few decades ago, using lasers in medicine was just a concept. Now, lasers have been proven to be the perfect solution for surgeries in which exceptional precision, accuracy, and steadiness are demanded. Lasers are especially useful for eye surgeries. Since they are so meticulous and exact, they can perform surgical procedures even at microscopic scales. During a laser eye surgery, a tiny beam of light and a high-tech imaging system are used to accomplish exactly what needs to be done to fix the eye. Laser eye surgery is a much gentler process than traditional eye surgery, and it also results in an easier recovery process.

When Is Laser Eye Surgery Used?

One of the best-known uses of laser eye surgery is in the Lasik procedure. This surgery removes a tiny, almost microscopic layer of cells, reshaping the cornea to allow light to reflect more accurately off of the retina. Lasik surgery has helped a lot of people to be able to see clearly, without the aid of glasses or contact lenses. However, laser surgery is used to correct several other eye disorders, including cataracts and glaucoma.

byadmin

Progress in modern medicine is an exciting thing. New advancements and discoveries in science and technology have been enabling us to develop new treatments, as well as improving current medical equipment and procedures. One aspect of medicine that has taken huge leaps forward in the last century or so is surgery. Today, surgery can be done safely and painlessly on any part of the body, even delicate areas such as the eyes and the brain. Eye surgery, especially, requires great sensitivity and precision. With the help of lasers, eye surgery now has an even higher rate of success than ever before.

How Has Eye Surgery Been Improved?

Just a few decades ago, using lasers in medicine was just a concept. Now, lasers have been proven to be the perfect solution for surgeries in which exceptional precision, accuracy, and steadiness are demanded. Lasers are especially useful for eye surgeries. Since they are so meticulous and exact, they can perform surgical procedures even at microscopic scales. During a laser eye surgery, a tiny beam of light and a high-tech imaging system are used to accomplish exactly what needs to be done to fix the eye. Laser eye surgery is a much gentler process than traditional eye surgery, and it also results in an easier recovery process.

When Is Laser Eye Surgery Used?

One of the best-known uses of laser eye surgery is in the Lasik procedure. This surgery removes a tiny, almost microscopic layer of cells, reshaping the cornea to allow light to reflect more accurately off of the retina. Lasik surgery has helped a lot of people to be able to see clearly, without the aid of glasses or contact lenses. However, laser surgery is used to correct several other eye disorders, including cataracts and glaucoma.

The Pros and Cons of Hyperhidrosis Surgery By Tim F Clark

Medical treatment for hyperhidrosis typically involves careful assessment by a qualified dermatologist. At first the dermatologist may prescribe lotions or powders to try and mitigate the profuse sweating of the palms and/or underarms.

The surgical procedure to treat hyperhidrosis is called “video-assisted thoracic sympathectomy.” General anesthesia is give to patients who undergo this particular procedure. The surgeon would make 2 very minute incisions under the underarms. The incisions made are about 1 cm. (0.4 in) in length. A small quantity of carbon dioxide (referred to as “air”) is pumped into the chest cavity to shift the lung away from the operative area. The surgeon then inserts a fiber-optic camera and instrument into the incisions. The cameras are used to find the sympathetic chain that is primarily responsible for signaling the sweat glands in our body’s upper limbs and face.

It is the 2nd ganglion in the chain that directs perspiration in the palms and face, including facial blushing. The third and fourth ganglions run underarm perspiration. Your surgeon will normally talk about the different surgical choices for you based on the kind of sweating disorder that you are having.

Surgeons use various techniques in surgery to trace, fasten and get rid of the sympathetic ganglion. The procedure is termed sympathectomy. Upon the completion of the procedure, the surgeon takes out the air and seals the opening or incision. The surgery only leaves 2 minute and inconspicuous scars that are hidden in both underarms.

Success Rate and Results

Video-assisted thoracic sympathectomy’s success level ranges from about ninety-eight to a hundred percent. Surgery on Hyperhidrosis of the hands only has a recurrence rate of seven percent. It has been observed that the success rate is also encouraging for hyperhidrosis involving the axilla, however this particular procedure has a high rate of return.

Investigations have shown that around ninety-four percent of patients who undergo this surgery are satisfied with the results and would be willing to go under the knife again if the need arises. Patients normally experience compensatory sweating after surgery. This only implies that the other parts of the body, like the trunk or thighs, may exhibit more perspiration than is commonly excreted. The majority of patients think that compensatory sweating is more acceptable than hyperhidrosis.

The side effect of compensatory sweating is observed to happen more frequently when the surgical procedure corrects profuse underarm sweating. Surgeries done to correct excessive sweating on the palms, or face, and facial blushing tend to have lesser compensatory side effects. Compensatory sweating gradually decrease within the 1st 6 to 12 months. Heavy compensatory sweating happens in more or less seven percent of all patients. Risks for this surgical procedure are minimal. It is wise to discuss everything in detail with your surgeon before having the procedure done.

When complications occur, they are more often than not of minor significance and would only need an extra day or two of hospital stay to deal with. These complications may consist of:

oPneumothorax: a tiny quantity of air may linger in the lungs after the procedure or there could be slight leakage from the lung. This usually reabsorbs on its own and treatment is not needed. It is very rare for a patient to require suction drainage to remove the air.

oHorner’s Syndrome: a somewhat smaller pupil and droopy eyelid are caused by injury to the upper ganglion (called the ganglion stellatum). This however is exceptionally uncommon. Blepharoplasty, a plastic surgery procedure to shorten the upper eyelid is call for to correct a droopy eye.

oBleeding: excessive bleeding is an unusual occurrence. It is however effortlessly controlled by the surgeon. Please discuss the risks involved in the operation in detail with your surgeon.

Tim Clark writes health related articles, the majority of which can be found on his website on hyperhidrosis [http://www.treatmentforhyperhidrosis.com] , where he has a large listing of hyperhidrosis articles [http://www.treatmentforhyperhidrosis.com/hyperhidrosis-articles.asp]. For more information on hyperhidrosis surgery [http://www.treatmentforhyperhidrosis.com/hyperhidrosis-surgery.asp] just follow the link.