Andrea Neal-Boyd
Andrea Neal-Boyd is from Nashville T.N. She is married and have 2 children. Andrea has been a facilitator and co-facilitator with Restore Ministries. She also has a on-line ministry called Overcomers Outreach Ministry.She has written inspirational columns in magazines.Andrea attends Mt. Zion church
INTRODUCTION: WHAT IS HYPERHIDROSIS?
This is my story about a condition that has haunted me most of my life. It is called hyperhidrosis. What is hyperhidrosis, you might ask. It is a medical condition that causes excessive sweating. It is caused by an overactive sympathetic nervous system—that is, overactive sweat glands.
Hyperhidrosis affects 1 of every 25 individuals. Symptoms can start as early as adolescence and continue into adulthood. In order to regulate body temperature, our bodies produce sweat. However, the nerves of a person who has hyperhidrosis are over-stimulated, causing the sweat glands to overreact and resulting in excessive sweating.
There are two types of hyperhidrosis: primary HH, which starts during adolescence or even earlier, is said to be inherited genetically; secondary HH occurs less frequently and can be caused by many different underlying medical conditions such as menopause, hyperthyroidism, or anxiety disorder. For example, secondary hyperhidrosis is closely related to hot flashes. When one has a hot flash, intense heat is felt all over the body. A hot flash is also accompanied by a rapid heartbeat and dizziness. Additionally, one may feel flushed. Hot flashes are caused by menopause, which is the result of hormonal changes in the body.
A person with hyperhidrosis will perspire heavily at certain target areas such as the hands (palmar), feet (plantar), armpits (axillary), and face/head (craniofacial). In some cases, the condition affects the entire body (truncal).
There is no known cure for hyperhidrosis at this time, but there are procedures that are available to help with the symptoms. I will mention a few, beginning with oral medication.
Anticholinergic (atropine, propantheline): Though these medications are used for overactive bladder or spasms, they also work well in reducing sweating because they block certain neurotransmitters of the nervous system. Presently, I am trying an anticholinergic called oxybutynin. It was intended to help me with overactive bladder, but the doctor said it would also minimize the sweating. It works reasonably well but does have side effects. It causes me to have headaches, dry mouth, and dizziness. I also use aluminum chloride medicine, which works by closing the sweat glands. It is quite effective for me if it is not especially hot outside, but I try not to use it every day because it causes irritation and burning on my skin. When I first apply the medicine to my underarms, it starts to burn; after the burning sensation has subsided (about ten minutes later), my skin begins to itch. This continues on and off all during the night. (Can you imagine how difficult it is to sleep?) The next day, I experience periods during which my underarms continue to itch. However, the problem seems to be subsiding the more I use the medicine. We will see how it does in the long run.
Beta blockers: These are medications that block the action of adrenaline, causing the heart to beat more slowly. These drugs are also known as beta adrenergic agents.
Endoscopic Transthoracic Sympathectomy (ETS for short): This is a surgical procedure that involves cutting or clamping the nerves that carry messages to the sympathetic nervous system and sweat glands. A general anesthesia is used during the procedure. A doctor cuts a small incision under the armpits and then uses air to push the lungs away from the site. A small telescope and other endoscopic equipment are inserted so the doctor can see the sympathetic chain. The segment of the sympathetic nerve that is responsible for the excessive sweating is then clamped with titanium clips. Clamping creates the possibility of reversing the procedure. Cutting is more complicated and is permanent.
Results from this procedure vary from person to person. Some patients have positive results and some have negative. One possible side effect is called compensatory sweating; when this happens, the sweating shifts from one area to another—mainly the lower chest, buttocks, abdomen, or thighs.
I know of a young lady who had the ETS procedure done and was not happy with the results because of compensatory sweating. She hoped to correct the sweating on her hands, but it shifted to her buttocks and the backs of her thighs and legs. This became such a problem for her that she wished she had never had the procedure done at all. She was humiliated, especially when she went out. She worried that after sitting in a chair (especially when outside) she would leave a wet spot when it was time to get up. She also fretted that her pants would be stained, appearing as if she had wet herself.
