Do you feel like you consistently sweat more than others? An average person has anywhere from 2-4 million sweat glands that work as the body?s coolant system and produces about a liter of sweat every day. However, some people suffer from a medical condition known as hyperhidrosis which causes excessive sweating. The good news is that medical breakthroughs have been made which have allowed scientists to find ways to curb the symptoms of hyperhidrosis. Here’s a bit more information on the condition:
1. Hyperhidrosis Facts– Primary focal hyperhidrosis is the most common cause of excessive sweating, and it affects 1% to 3% of the population. Typically, individuals that suffer from the condition sweat four to five times more than average. Hyperhidrosis affects both men and women, and primarily occurs among people aged 25-64 years. People that don’t suffer from hyperhidrosis may not understand how far reaching the effects can be. In fact, 90% of hyperhidrosis patients said that the condition affects their emotional state and that they feel less confident because of it.
2. Hyperhidrosis Causes– Because many hyperhidrosis patients (30-50%) have a family member afflicted by hyperhidrosis, doctors and scientists alike believe that there may be a genetic predisposition. There is not a clear cause of hyperhidrosis, but it’s believed to be a result of a problem a specific part of the nervous system called the sympathetic nervous system. Some of the most common areas of the body where hyperhidrosis patients often notice excessive sweating are: palms, feet, underarms, and head.
3. Hyperhidrosis Treatments– Even though doctors and scientists don’t know the cause of the condition yet, they have some done a great job of creating treatments for hyperhidrosis. One of the treatments for excessive sweating that has been around for 50 years is iontophoresis. Put simply, iontophoresis essentially shuts down the sweat glands in order to provide relief to hyperhidrosis patients. Iontophoresis therapy lasts anywhere from 10-20 minutes and requires 6 to 10 treatments to shut down the sweat glands.
If you are someone who suffers from hyperhidrosis and you are looking for help with excessive sweating then contact your doctor today to inquire about iontophoresis. Be sure to ask all of the questions you may have regarding hyperhidrosis facts, causes, and treatments. You’ll be glad you did!
