subject: What You Should Know About Excessive Sweating [print this page] As uncomfortable as sweat might be, it is a natural and healthy part of life. We sweat in order to cool the body, but excessive sweating can pose problems in your social life and relationships. When temperatures rise, the sweat glands produce more sweat to keep your body cool. Sweating can be caused by fever, nervousness, exercising or simply a heat wave. Your diet can even affect how much, or how often, you sweat.
So how are you supposed to know what is normal and what is not? The amount of sweat considered normal is variable and depends on the demands of your body. People may sweat less than a liter, or up to several liters per day depending on what they are doing. If you are exercising or performing manual labor you should expect to sweat a lot-it's normal. Excessive sweating, however, may require medical attention from your Bergen County dermatologist.
What Is Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis)?
Excessive sweating is also referred to as hyperhidrosis, which means that you sweat more than your body needs you to. For instance, sweating while sitting calmly at your desk is excessive sweating. If you suffer from hyperhidrosis, your body's ability to cool itself is so overactive that it produces four or five times of sweat that you need with approximately 3 percent of the population suffering from this affliction.
When Should You See Your Dermatologist?
If you are concerned about excessive sweating, visit your Teaneck dermatologist if you experience the following symptoms:
*Night sweats: If you wake up in a cold sweat or find your pillowcase and sheets are damp in the morning
*Asymmetrical sweating: If you notice that you are only sweating from one side of your body.
*Generalized sweating: If you are sweating all over, and not just from your head, face, underarms, groin, hands or feet.
*Sudden changes: If sweating has suddenly gotten worse.
*Late onset: If you develop excessive sweating when you are middle-aged or older.
*Sweating accompanied by other symptoms such as fatigue, insomnia, increased thirst, increased urination or cough.
Even if you are not experiencing these symptoms, talk to your dermatologist if excessive sweating is bothering you or interfering with your life. Remember to bring along a list of the medicines you currently take, as they may be contributing to how much you sweat.
Excessive Sweating Treatments
While there may be no cure for excessive sweating, there are ways to help control your symptoms. Some treatment options include:
*Antiperspirants (prescription or over-the-counter)
*Medications
*Botox
*Surgery
Surgery is generally reserved for severe cases of hyperhidrosis in which other treatments have been unsuccessful.
Don't sweat the problem. Talk to your Westfield, NJ dermatologist as soon as you can to learn more about excessive sweating or to schedule an appointment for treatment.
