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The
process of
sweating
is
controlled
by the
Sympathetic
Nervous
System.
This
involuntary
nervous
system
maintains
the five
million or
so sweat
glands
throughout
the body.
In fact,
about
two-thirds
of our
body's
sweat
glands are
located in
the hands
alone. The
answer to
the
problem of
hyperhydrosis
lies
within
these
nerves.
Doctors
have found
that
"supercharged"
nerves
cause
excessive
sweating.
Over the
past
years,
several
different
approaches
have been
taken to
cure this
socially
and
functionally
embarrassing
problem.
Patients
have tried
herbal
medications,
lotions,
and oral
medications
to end
excessive
sweating.
None of
those
methods
have
proved to
be of any
lasting
value. The
surgical
approach
to this
problem
started
about 60
years ago
but, due
to the
location
of the
sympathetic
nerve
chain in
the body,
surgical
procedures
at that
time
necessitated
a very
invasive
surgery.
The
operation
used to be
done
either
through
the neck,
chest
cavity, or
through
the back.
Those
invasive
methods
made it an
unpopular
operation
for
patients
and the
medical
community
at large.
Since the
introduction
of
minimally
invasive
surgery
about 20
years ago,
methods
were
developed
to access
the
sympathetic
nerve
chain with
minimally
invasive
surgery.
Causes
of
Excessive
Sweating
While
doctors
don't know
why
excessive
sweating
starts,
the most
likely
cause is a
genetic
one. They
have
successfully
linked it
to
over-activity
in the
sympathetic
nervous
system.
Specifically,
it is the
Thoracic
Sympathetic
Ganglion
Chain,
which runs
along the
vertebra
of the
spine
inside the
chest
cavity.
This chain
controls
the glands
responsible
for
perspiration
throughout
the entire
body.
These
sweat
glands are
mainly
concentrated
in the
palms of
the hands
and soles
of the
feet. In
most
cases, the
hands and
feet are
affected.
To a
lesser
degree,
the face
and armpit
regions
are
affected.
Another
manifestation
of the
hyperactive
sympathetic
activity
is facial
blushing.
It used to
be a
common
thought
that
excessive
hand
sweating
is caused
by over
activity
of the
thyroid
gland but
over the
years it
was proven
not to be
the case.
Another
thought
was that
patients
who
suffered
from
anxiety
problems
would have
excessive
hand
sweating.
This was
also
proven to
be wrong
as
patients
can have
severe
palmar
Hyperhidrosis
(hand
sweating)
even in
the most
relaxing
moments of
their
life.
Treating
Hyperhydrosis
Simple
self-help
measures
you can
take
include:
-
Choose
clothing
that
will
keep
you
cool.
Natural
fibers
are
cool
but
they
absorb
sweat
and
can
remain
damp;
some
synthetic
fibers
are
warm
but
they
wick
sweat
away
from
the
body
and
feel
dry.
-
Keep
your
work
environment
cool
and
well
aired
-
Avoid
the
food
and
drinks
that
trigger
sweating;
these
will
be
different
for
everyone
and
you
will
probably
know
what
causes
problems
for
you
-
Stress,
tension
and
anxiety
are
common
problems
for
everyone,
though
people
with
hyperhidrosis
have
the
extra
difficulties
of
coping
with
sweating.
Think
about
how
you
can
reduce
stress
during
the
day:
plan
your
activities
carefully
and
make
time
to
relax
-
Odor
can
be
prevented
by
attention
to
personal
hygiene
(such
as
frequent
showers);
although
this
will
not
be
convenient
for
people
who
constantly
sweat,
it is
an
effective
and
simple
measure
to
take.
The
effects of
Botox® for
treatment
of
excessive
sweating
Botox
is
recommended
for the
treatment
of
hyperhidrosis.
When small
doses are
injected
into the
skin,
Botox
blocks the
actions of
the nerves
that
supply the
eccrine
glands:
this
prevents
the glands
from
producing
sweat. The
effects of
treatment
can last
for
several
months but
will
eventually
wear off.
Every
client
will have
iodine and
starch
powder
applied to
the
underarm
area in
order to
delineate
the areas
of maximal
sweat
production.
Using a
very fine
needle,
you will
be
injected
with a
small
amount of
solution
into 10 to
15 places
about 1 cm
apart and
spread
evenly in
each
armpit. A
course of
treatment
takes
about 20
minutes.
The
effects of
treatment
will
become
apparent
over the
first
week.
Clients
tend to
return for
their next
treatment
on average
every 6-8
months.
The
effects of
Botox will
wear off
over a
period of
several
months. If
you decide
not to
have more
treatment
there will
be no
lasting
change in
the areas
treated
and
sweating
will
gradually
return to
the level
it was
before you
started
treatment.
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If you need more information or would like to schedule and appointment for a consultation, please click here to contact us or call one of our offices at: (212) 593-1818 New York
(516) 512-7616 Long Island |
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