What is hyperhidrosis
A person has 2 types of sweat glands, which differ in their functions and regulatory mechanisms:
- Apocrine glands - most of them are located in the armpits and around the external genitalia, regulated by the sympathetic nervous system, adrenergic fibers, where the main substance is adrenaline. They begin to function in adolescence, produce a secretion with pheromones - an individual smell; under stress, the function increases, but they do not participate in thermoregulation.
- Eccrine glands - the largest number - are located in the armpits, on the feet and palms, and secrete the liquid part of sweat. The main regulator of the function is acetylcholine. The glands are involved in thermoregulation and sweating during stress.
The work of the vegetative unequal system, which controls the sweat glands, is not controlled by consciousness. Therefore, it is impossible to cause increased sweating on your own; it increases in response to an increase in body temperature during illness, in hot weather or after physical activity. Sweating increases with excitement, emotional stress, which leads to the release of adrenaline.
But the condition of hyperhidrosis is different from normal sweat production. The glands work actively when a person is calm and does not overheat. This is often associated with various pathologies. There is diffuse hyperhidrosis, in which sweating increases throughout the body. The disease is often associated with pathology of the nervous system. Local, or focal hyperhidrosis, affects only one area of the body. This form is more common than others.
Sweating may be seasonal and occur only in the hot season, but for most people with pathology it does not depend on the season.
Using antiperspirants
The easiest and most affordable way to stop sweating. This will not help completely overcome hyperhidrosis, but it will reduce the amount of moisture released and get rid of odor. Thanks to one of the constituent components (aluminum chloride), sweating is sharply reduced. This substance penetrates deep into the sweat ducts, narrowing the tubules by forming chemical compounds that are safe for the body.
Select refreshing sticks, sprays, and deodorants carefully so that they do not cause allergies.
Causes of excessive sweating
Patients most often turn to dermatologists with the primary form of pathology, for which it is impossible to establish the cause. The first symptoms of hyperhidrosis appear during puberty. In girls and boys, this is associated with increased activity of the hormones testosterone and cortisol and immaturity of the nervous system. Daily sweat production becomes strong, activity increases in all types of sweat glands. This is why body odor increases in teenagers.
It is believed that primary hyperhidrosis in 30-50% of patients is associated with hereditary factors. But the first symptoms may appear at the age of 20-30 years. They are provoked by chronic stress, hormonal changes and other reasons. The secondary form of excessive sweating of the armpits is associated with the following conditions:
- excitability and high activity of the autonomic nervous system;
- endocrine pathologies, most often the state of hyperthyroidism, insulin resistance in diabetes mellitus;
- diseases of the cardiovascular system, accompanied by cardiac arrhythmias and rapid heartbeat;
- some types of malignant and benign tumors;
- metabolic disorders and excess body weight;
- overdose or side effects of drugs affecting the autonomic nervous system.
It is not always possible to determine the cause of excessive sweating. But it helps to effectively combat sweating.
Use of medications
Start taking sedative medications to stabilize the nervous system. Stop worrying and life will get better. You can start with herbal infusions. Buy a special herbal mixture at the pharmacy or make it yourself. Brew mint, motherwort, chamomile.
Consult a doctor who can prescribe appropriate sedatives or tranquilizers. The completed course of treatment will strengthen your psyche and help you resist stress.
If the case is severe, the doctor may recommend taking Prozac, propantheline, atropine and other drugs that slow down sweating.
Sweaty armpits in women
In the female body, the release of large amounts of sweat depends on hormonal levels. When it changes, the interaction of various parts of the autonomic nervous system changes. This process is most pronounced during menopause.
With a decrease in ovarian function in women, their stimulation by pituitary hormones - follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones - increases. But due to physiological characteristics, the release of thyroid-stimulating hormone, which increases blood flow in the thyroid gland, simultaneously increases. Most often this process starts in the evening or at night. It manifests itself in the form of hot flashes - the appearance of a feeling of heat in the upper body and head. The woman begins to sweat heavily. The duration of such an attack is several minutes.
You are more likely to experience heavy sweating if you are overweight. Thermoregulation disorders appear with arterial hypertension. These diseases also often progress after age 50. Hyperhidrosis in this case is secondary. It is not life-threatening, but causes discomfort.
Stress
Modern life constantly keeps a person in a state of tension. A lot of things don't allow you to relax. One stressful situation replaces another. There are periods when troubles seem to be deliberately waiting for the moment to fall in full force with full force, to hit harder. Hence profuse sweating or, scientifically, essential hyperhidrosis. A person with a weakened psyche sweats just from the thought of stress.
Surprises await people at every step - at home, at work, on public transport, on the road. Stress can be long-term (conflicts, everyday troubles) and instantaneous, for example, from fear. Just be nervous and you will be guaranteed wet armpits, face, neck, arms, and back. Even if the room is cool, your underwear becomes wet. Those suffering from a similar illness say: “I sweat a lot because I’m nervous.”
Underarm sweating in men
The functioning of the male body is regulated by the hormone testosterone. It performs an anabolic function and accelerates metabolism. Sensitivity to adrenaline is also higher in men. Therefore, small bursts of this hormone speed up the heart rate, increase reaction speed and lead to sweaty armpits.
A man may sweat more than usual if he prefers hot and spicy foods. Sweating of the armpits and the entire body greatly increases when drinking alcoholic beverages. In this case, hyperhidrosis is associated with metabolic processes, as the body removes toxic substances after recycling ethanol. Nicotine has a direct stimulating effect. It increases the synthesis of acetylcholine, which enhances the work of the sweat glands. Therefore, sweating is a natural phenomenon in men who smoke.
Sweating occurs when there is severe nervous tension. Men's jobs are more likely than women's to involve stress or hazardous activities.
Men are susceptible to developing obesity, metabolic disorders and hypertension. Those at risk are those who lead a sedentary lifestyle and have a large waist circumference at the age of 45-50. These disorders affect the tone of the sympathetic nervous system and sweating.
Reusable sweat-absorbent products: top, bodice and inserts
There are reusable anti-sweat products. They protect clothes from stains and streaks for 24 hours, after which they are washed in warm water. These products can last for more than one year.
- A top with sweat protection zones is worn on the body instead of underwear or together with it. Its coverage area is wider than that of earbuds, as is the area of clothing protection.
- The fabric bodice is worn like a regular bra and fastens in the front, under the bust. And adjustable straps allow you to “tailor” its size to suit you.
- Reusable fabric pads are made of quick-drying, breathable material. They are not attached to clothing, but in the armpit using a silicone adjustable tape.
When to see a doctor
If a person begins to sweat during exercise, hot weather, or extreme excitement, there is no reason to worry. Health problems are indicated by sweating, which occurs against a background of complete calm or is accompanied by additional symptoms.
A slightly elevated body temperature, which is accompanied by night or evening sweats, may be a sign of a chronic infection. Sometimes this is how pulmonary tuberculosis, immune disorders, and the initial stages of cancer manifest themselves.
A dangerous symptom is the appearance of weakness, dizziness, loss of consciousness against the background of increased sweating. This may be a sign of low glucose levels - hypoglycemia. The condition is life-threatening and therefore requires emergency medical attention. Hyperhidrosis is cured only after glucose levels are normalized.
Older women who experience menstrual irregularities and the first symptoms of approaching menopause require special treatment. Without special means, the condition may gradually worsen, and menopause will be difficult.
Increased sweating is one of the signs of thyrotoxicosis. This disease is accompanied by an increase in thyroid function and the release of increased doses of hormones into the blood. At the same time, the heartbeat increases, heart rhythm disturbances appear, and the person quickly loses body weight, despite maintaining the nature of the diet.
Start taking care of yourself
The phrase “when I’m worried, I sweat a lot” is said by people who are unsure of themselves, who are constantly looking around, worrying about what others will think or say about them.
Most often, the one who worries is the one who cannot control himself or maintain his presence of mind. You need to stop being afraid and try to increase your self-esteem. First you need to be clean and tidy. It is advisable to take a shower several times a day, use an antiperspirant, and try all sorts of methods - from medications to cosmetics.
Update your clothing style and wardrobe by adding things made of cotton and wool. Fabrics must have absorbent properties. Dress lighter, don't bundle up. In synthetic clothes, a person sweats quickly. Lose excess weight, which is a consequence of improper metabolism. The functions of organs and tissues are disrupted, sweating increases.
Avoid stress, don't worry about trifles.
Dysport and Botox injections
The above substances contain botulinum toxin, one of the paralytic poisons.
The poison penetrates the muscle tissue, causing paralysis of the nerve endings of the sweat glands. Sweating decreases temporarily. After six months, the functions of the glands are restored. You have to go through the procedure again so as not to sweat again when nervous. This event is expensive and not everyone can afford it. In addition, the body will gradually get used to the poison, which will reduce the resulting effect.
