Axillary Hyperhydrosis involves extreme, dripping sweat in the armpits, with constant odor that is usually resistant to all deodorants. Axillary sweating may be present alone or in conjunction with any or all other types of hyperhydrosis. Sufferers are prevented from wearing certain fabrics and colors because the sweat causes staining and rotting of the clothing. The sympathetic nervous system over-stimulates the sweat glands, causing the hyperhydrosis. This condition may be aggravated by anxiety, but, it can occur without it. Each patient has to be evaluated individually, to determine if they are candidates for the ETS procedure.
When a man wears a suit and is bothered by the condition of axillary hyperhydrosis (underarm sweating), he often decides he has to leave the jacket on, at all times, because the sweat from his armpits will soak through his shirt. A woman with this disorder will not be able to wear delicate fabrics such as silk, because the sweat will leave very noticeable, wet rings under her arms.
The excessive sweating causes embarrassment and makes people feel less confident about themselves.
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.
Sweaty hands can occur while meeting someone for the first time, through nervousness or emotional distress.
Axillary Hyperhydrosis, 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 Hyperhydrosis 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 hyperhydrosis can create a problem driving a vehicle because the moisture of the hands and feet can build up to make the steering wheel and foot pedals slippery which can cause a lack of control of the vehicle.
Facial Hyperhydrosis, 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.
Treatment for Hyperhydrosis
The only long-lasting, effective treatment for Hyperhydrosis is to surgically stop the signal transmissions of the sympathetic nerve impulse to sweat glands. This procedure is known as Endoscopic Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy (ETS) can be achieved for all locations in the body.
This is best performed by thorasic surgeons and is done under general anesthesia. The sympathetic nerves located just behind the ribs are cut or clamped 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 which reduces the body's ability to produce sweat in those identified problem areas. This method is preferred over the clamping method where metal clamps are applied on the nerve to stop the sweating from a particular section of the nerve. 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 a few days. The procedure is extremely effective for palmar and axillary hyperhydrosis. The endoscopic technique is very safe and is curative in 98% of patients.
