Conditions of Excessive Sweating

Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition marked by excessive sweating.  When there is no other medical problem that is causing excessive perspiration, it is known as primary hyperhidrosis.  Primary hyperhidrosis can lead to excessive perspiration of multiple parts of the body, including sweaty palms, sweaty feet, sweaty hands, sweaty armpits, and sweating of the scalp or face.

The treatment of hyperhidrosis depends primarily on whether a patient has primary or secondary hyperhidrosis.  It is important to determine if you suffer from primary or secondary hyperhidrosis as the treatment is different for each.  This is especially true of secondary hyperhidrosis, where the primary treatment is to treat the underlying cause. There are specific medical and surgical treatments for primary hyperhidrosis, including botox injections.  Most physicians would advise using different medical treatments before considering endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy surgical treatment for hyperhidrosis.  Surgical treatment is known to have excellent results.  There are potiential risks and side effects, however, and medical treatment should be attempted before surgical treatment.

There is no known cause of primary hyperhidrosis. The condition begins during childhood, and progressively worsens through adolescence and persists into adulthood. The excessive sweating is embarrassing and affects both social and professional relationships. The characteristics of primary hyperhidrosis include:

• Continuous sweating
• Sweating without an apparent reason
• Sweating not provoked with exercise
• Provoked by emotional stress, hot weather conditions
• Improves during cool months
• Sweating stops during sleep

Excessive sweating may be caused by a number of medical conditions. When sweating is caused by an underlying condition it is called secondary hyperhidrosis. Secondary hyperhidrosis causes excessive sweating in additional areas of the body.  Examples of medical conditions that can cause excessive sweating include:

• Endocrine disorders such as hyperthyroidism
• Menopause
• Treatments for cancer
• Obesity
• Psychiatric disorders
• Systemic malignant disease

You should speak with your physician to determine which treatment is the best for you.  If you are considering surgical treatment for hyperhidrosis, please contact us to schedule a consultation with one of our surgeons.