WellMedica

Hyperhidrosis

Sweating is not the most pleasant topic of discussion, especially when it occurs excessively. It can leave you feeling self-conscious and embarrassed. Many do not realize that this is an actual medical condition. The good news is it can be treated. Currently there are two minimally invasive treatments that are extremely popular for this condition: Neurotoxin (Botox/Dysport) and ThermiDry.

Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis)

The medical term for excessive sweating is hyperhidrosis.  There are two forms of the condition – primary and secondary.  Primary hyperhidrosis can occur in healthy individuals and the secondary form usually has some underlying medical condition that needs to be addressed.  In either case, excessive sweating complicates social interactions, causes odor, stains clothing and can even cause anxiety. This So although sweating is a normal part of human physiology, profuse, excessive sweating can hinder one’s everyday life and be debilitating.  It’s no wonder that many seek out treatment to help alleviate their hyperhidrosis.

HYPERHIDROSIS TREATMENTS | BEFORE & AFTERS

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OUR Hyperhidrosis SERVICES

Botox Hyperhidrosis (Botox for Sweating)

When the seat glands don’t receive chemical signals, the severe sweating stops. At Wellmedica we do Botox Hyperhidrosis which helps in reducing excessive sweating. Botox hyperhidrosis is also referred as botox for sweating.

ThermiDry for Excessive Sweating

Sweating is not the most pleasant topic to discuss, especially when one deals with excessive sweating on a daily basis. It can leave you feeling self-conscious and embarrassed. Many do not realize that this is an actual medical condition that…

What is Hyperhidrosis?

Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition or disorder defined as excessive sweating.Sweating is not the most pleasant topic of discussion, especially when it occurs excessively. The condition is also known as polyhidrosis or sudorrhea. The excessive sweating can be caused by different factors such as genetics, underlying health concerns, or unknown causes. Most people’s sweat glands produce higher amounts of sweat when it is hot or when their bodies are working hard, or even when they are anxious. Those who suffer from hyperhidrosis have sweat glands that produce much more sweat than normal people, sometimes with no cause at all. 

This condition affects as many as 2-4.5% of the population, although some suggest that number might even be higher as the condition often goes unreported. Many people do not realize it is a potentially treatable condition and do not seek treatment until many years after the condition develops. 

For many who suffer from hyperhidrosis, this is not just an uncomfortable condition physically but also psychologically. Physical discomfort can present in the form of bacterial infections on often-wet areas, inability to grasp items well because of sweaty palms, and accompanying effects like sweat stains on clothing. Psychological effects include embarrassment, avoiding people, and even seeking jobs that do not require interaction with people or sustained physical effort, interference in daily activities and discomfort in the person’s own skin. 

Thankfully, there is a lot of information available on hyperhidrosis. There are known causes and multiple lines of treatment. For many people, hyperhidrosis no longer has to control their lives. They can live more comfortably with effective treatment of the condition. 

What is Focal Hyperhidrosis?

Focal hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating concentrated in certain areas, or foci. This may be palms and soles of the feet, or face, and is often the same on both sides of the body. Typically, this kind of hyperhidrosis is of the primary type. Focal hyperhidrosis or primary focal hyperhidrosis occurs without an underlying health cause. The sweat glands become overactive, triggered by the nerves that control them. This triggering happens without the environmental conditions like a rise in temperature or exertion by the body that trigger sweating in a person who sweats a normal amount. 

What is Generalized Hyperhidrosis?

Generalized hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating throughout the body, not concentrated in one particular area. Oftentimes generalized hyperhidrosis falls into the secondary category of causes. This means there is an underlying health condition that may be causing the excessive sweat. In these cases, it is best to first try to deal with the underlying condition rather than just masking the symptom of excessive sweating.

What Causes Hyperhidrosis?

Hyperhidrosis can be caused by many factors. Primary hyperhidrosis can sometimes be genetic, occurring more often in families that have a history of excessive sweat. Secondary hyperhidrosis is caused by an underlying medical condition. Some of the conditions that can cause secondary hyperhidrosis include:

  • Diabetes
  • Hot flashes (like those experienced in menopause)
  • Heart attack
  • Low blood sugar
  • Thyroid problems
  • Infections
  • Lung disease
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Opioid withdrawal
  • Medications
  • Some kinds of cancer
  • Endocrine disorders
  • Neurologic disorders including injury to the nervous system
  • Illnesses like Covid 19
  •  

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms along with hyperhidrosis it is best to speak to -Dr. Dima Ali for more health information.

 

How Common is Hyperhidrosis?

Hyperhidrosis may be more common than the numbers show. There are statistics that say anywhere from 2-4.5% of the population suffer from this condition, but some believe that is a low number. This is because many people do not know that excessive sweating is a treatable health condition, and they continue to live with it for years after it begins. Many who have the condition begin to have symptoms as early as their teenage years, but do not seek medical treatment for an average of 9 years.

How is Hyperhidrosis Diagnosed?

There are a number of tools a doctor can use for diagnosis and treatment of hyperhidrosis. These may include questionnaires about your history (When does it occur? What triggers it? Where on the body does it occur? Do other symptoms accompany the sweating?) or a test made of special powders that react to moisture. Powders like those in a starch-iodine combination are placed on areas where hyperhidrosis is suspected to be a factor and this powder turns a dark blue color if moisture is present. Often the patient will be tested both at room temperature, and in a heated environment. If the palms, for example, sweat more than other areas of the body hyperhidrosis is probably at play. 

Another diagnosis method for hyperhidrosis is a paper test, where special paper is placed in the area supposed to sweat excessively and then weighed afterwards to measure the amount of sweat present. If your -Dr. Dima Ali suspects an underlying health condition is causing you to sweat excessively, -she may order blood or imaging tests to check for these.

What is the Treatment for Hyperhidrosis?

Hyperhidrosis treatment is multifaceted, and the treatment options can be different depending on the type of hyperhidrosis. Patients can seek out some treatments without a doctor- such as over- the- counter antiperspirants may be effective in reducing production from sweat glands. Although some people are concerned that antiperspirants and products containing aluminum chloride have a health risk, The American Academy of Dermatology states there is no evidence that antiperspirants cause an increased chance of breast cancer or Alzheimers. If this alone is not effective to reduce sweating Dr. Dima Alimay recommend a prescription antiperspirant containing aluminum chloride hexahydrate.

Other available treatments at WellMedica  to reduce overproduction of sweat glands includes:

 

Antidepressants: Some antidepressant medications can reduce hyperhidrosis directly, and some can reduce anxiety that is causing the condition.

Botulinum Toxin: injections of botulinum toxin – a, or Botox, are approved by the FDA for use in axillary hyperhidrosis. First, an area like hands, feet, or armpit is numbed so there is less discomfort from the injections. Many tiny injections are placed by a provider where excessive sweating occurs. The Botox temporarily blocks the nerves that cause excessive sweating. The sweat glands no longer receive the signal to produce sweat and the sweating may be reduced for months. Because Botox wears off after 3-4 months, you would need to return to the clinic periodically for repeated treatments.

Radio-Frequency Therapy: The most recent solution for this medical condition is ThermiDry by ThermiTight, which is a minimally invasive treatment that helps to reduce excessive sweating. This is an FDA approved device that delivers radio-frequency energy beneath the skin. Radio-frequency energy is typically used for non-surgical face-lifts, however when used for sweating individuals have experienced incredible results that are long-lasting. Our patients have noticed drastic differences with much of the same results as Botox, but at a lower cost and less frequent appointments. Results can last for several years as compared to Botox which lasts for 3-4months.

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