Sweating is a normal part of life, and in most cases can even be good for you! It can help cool you down, as well as rid your body of dirt and toxins. Although sweating in moderation can be good for your body, excessive sweating is not. Unfortunately, excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, affects about 3% of the total population, and it can be a source of physical and emotional discomfort.
What causes hyperhidrosis?
Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, occurs when the sweat glands are over-active. There are two major types of hyperhidrosis, primary and secondary, and the causes for each vary. With primary hyperhidrosis, the causes are less well understood. Professionals used to think it was a result of mental and emotional state, but recent studies have proven that patients who suffer from primary hyperhidrosis have increased feelings of anxiety and uneasiness because of their disorder. Secondary hyperhidrosis, on the other hand, can be a result of a number of different related disorders or physical traumas, such as pregnancy, diabetes, or hyperthyroidism.
How can you stop hyperhidrosis?
Right now, there is no known cure for hyperhidrosis. Although anywhere from 30% to 50% of the population knows someone with an excessive sweating problem, there simply isn’t enough research to have a cure for this disorder just yet.
Is there any treatment for hyperhidrosis?
Although modern medicine may not be able to stop hyperhidrosis, it can be treated! A treatment called iontophoresis was introduced to the medical community almost 50 years ago as a solution to help people suffering from hyperhidrosis. This treatment involves placing the hands, feet, or any other part of the body into a shallow pool of water, into which a gentle electrical current is charged. This process lasts anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes, and must be performed regularly to take effect and shut down the sweat glands temporarily.
If you, or someone you know, is suffering from excessive sweating, don’t lose hope! Although science can’t cure excessive sweating yet, it can be controlled. There’s no longer any need to hide your body away. With treatments like iontophoresis, anything is possible.