Hyperhidrosis Treatment in Encino, CA
Hyperhidrosis (diaphoresis) is a condition where sufferers sweat excessively, typically affecting the hands, feet, underarms and face, those who have to live with this condition report it as a major inconvenience and source of profound embarrassment.
When functioning normally, sweat glands in our body cause perspiration to take place in order to cool our bodies down during physically demanding activities, hot climates or as a response to stress. However those with hyperhidrosis experience this level of sweating—sometimes more—at rest. This can drench clothes, lead to discomfort, make it hard to hold jobs/relationships, even cause skin conditions.
Types of Hyperhidrosis
Primary focal hyperhidrosis is when extreme sweating is not triggered by an environmental or other trigger. This spontaneous sweeting:
- Is bilateral, affecting both sides of the body simultaneously
- Typically involves the hands (palmer hyperhidrosis), underarms, face, and feet (planter hyperhidrosis)
- Affects one or two parts of the body, not the entire body at once
- Occurs one or more times per week
- Started after the age of 25
- Doesn't occur when sleeping
- Sufferers typically have a family history of hyperhidrosis
Secondary generalized hyperhidrosis is caused by a specific trigger, including:
- Anxiety
- Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)
- Stroke
- Nerve damage
- Head trauma
- Parkinson's disease
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Hyperthyroidism
- Menopause
- Obesity
- Medications (like those used to treat depression )
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Hot climates/ temperatures
- Spicy foods
Diagnosing Hyperhidrosis
The first step in diagnosing hyperhidrosis is typically a physical exam , visual or tactile inspection of the affected areas can usually give a clue to hyperhidrosis.
To confirm the suspicion of primary hyperhidrosis and to rule out secondary hyperhidrosis from something like “white coat syndrome“ (anxiety while visiting the doctor), other diagnostic tests can be performed. A sweat test using starch and iodine can reveal excess sweating by turning the affected areas blue. A paper test can measure the perspiration by placing a special paper on the suspected body part, sweat is then absorbed and the paper weighed; if the weight falls within the diagnostic parameters, a confirmation can be made.
Some Treatments for Hyperhidrosis/ Diaphoresis
- Strong/prescription antiperspirants
- Iontophoresis
- Botox injections
- Surgery
Surgery is typically used as a last resort when every other available option has failed. One surgery in particular carries severe risks. Known as ETS, endoscope thoracic sympthectomy, surgeons enter the body via the armpit, deflate a lung and set about disabling parts of your sympathetic nervous system to deactivate sweat glands. Complications can include paralysis, infection, irreversible sympathetic sweating (sweating of other parts of the body effectively rendering the surgery moot) and at least one death has been reported.
Living with hyperhidrosis/ diaphoresis can be a physically and emotionally taxing experience, but relief may be just around the corner.
Request more information about hyperhidrosis today. Call (424) 365-1800 or contact Dr. Jeremy Fischer online.
Vitality Integrative Medicine
Address
4849 Van Nuys BlvdSuite 104
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
(424) 365-1800
www.vitalityintegrative.com
Hours
Mon:
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Tue:
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Wed:
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Thu:
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Fri:
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sat:
8:00 am - 12:00 pm