Don't Sweat It: An Overview of Hyperhidrosis

摘要

Many people live daily with the symptom of excessive sweating. Hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating that is usually unrelated to heat or exercise. Although sweating is a normal bodily function, excessive sweating is the production of sweat in amounts exceeding the body's requirement for normal ther-moregulation processes. Nearly 5% of the world's population has hyperhidrosis. Hyperhidrosis may be classified as primary or secondary. In primary hyperhidrosis, the patient is considered healthy and has no underlying conditions that could contribute to the excessive sweating. Secondary hyperhidrosis, which is less common, may be caused by certain drugs, neurologic disorders or other systemic diseases, or anxiety. Complications in patients with hyperhidrosis may be physical (e.g., infection caused by increased moisture on the skin) or psychological (e.g., embarrassment and anxiety about potential body; odor or sweat spots on clothing). Treatment options for hyperhidrosis are generally effective; however, severe cases may require surgical removal of sweat glands or disconnection of the nerves responsible for sweating.