Causes of Excessive Sweating Hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis, excessive sweating, can be primary or secondary. Primary hyperhidrosis normally starts at puperty. The causes for primary hyperhidrosis are unknown. It is, however, thought to be genetic and related to an overactive sympathetic nervous system. Excessive sweating can occur regardless of temperature or emotional state. Anxiety frequently appears to exacerbate the problem. Other common contributors are spicy hot foods, alchohol, nicotine, and caffeine.
Secondary hyperhidrosis can occur at any point in life. The cause for secondary hyperhidrosis is generally another condition such as hyperthyroidism, obesity, psychiatric conditions, menopause, a reaction to medication, cancer, anxiety, and infection.
Hyperhidrosis should not be confused with diaphoresis. Diaphoresis is excessive sweating that accompanies shock or a medical emergency. Persistent excessive sweating is hyperhidrosis.
Though the causes for excessive sweating are not clearly understood, hyperhidrosis is thought to results from an over stimulated sympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system is part of autonomic nervous system, the part you do not consciously control. The sympathetic nervous system function abnormally in people with hyperhidrosis causing excessive amounts of the neuron transmitter acetylcholine to be send to the nerve endings in the area of the sweat glands. This neurotransmitter signals the sweat glands to produce sweat when it is not needed. Assuming that is true, treatments that reduce stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system should also reduce excessive sweating.
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