What is hyperhidrosis?
Written by:Hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating or perspiration. Specialists in Thoracic Surgery explain that may occur in one area or be generalized.
What causes hyperhidrosis?
There are two types of hyperhidrosis: primary hyperhidrosis, when it occurs without apparent cause, or secondary hyperhidrosis, when the cause is known.
Primary hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating unexplained. It occurs mainly in women in the areas of the palms of the hands, soles of feet and armpits.
When sweating occurs in a localized area, often causes emotional, by exercise, heat or fever. It can also occur in times of anxiety, excitement, anger or fear.
It is called gustatory sweating that occurs around the lips and mouth when hot or spicy food or beverage is taken.
Compensatory sweating is the appearance of intense sweating after sympathectomy. The generalized sweating affects almost the entire body surface.
On the other hand, secondary hyperhidrosis causes are endocrine disorders, tumors or infections, among others.
Hyperhidrosis diagnosis
Doing the patient a series of questions and checking hyperhidrosis, the diagnosis is simple but always can be confirmed by performing certain tests. It is convenient to carry out analytical conditions, like diabetes or leukemia, and evaluate the function of the thyroid gland.
When the doctor examines a patient, sweating is usually present and often encountered nervous. The clothing can be wet. In addition, the palms of the hands and soles of the feet have a pale color and in severe cases, can present maceration and fissures. Following hyperhidrosis is usually emotional stress (vicious circle) and social withdrawal, in varying degrees.
The diagnosis of primary hyperhidrosis is clinical. Routine laboratory tests can help rule out diseases that cause secondary hyperhidrosis.
