Hyperhidrosis is a debilitating condition characterized by excessive sweating that can be socially embarrassing, career restricting, and in some cases may even be disabling. This article gives an overview of the disease, its pathophysiology, and the role of surgical intervention in treating the same. Patients with hyperhidrosis can experience excessive sweating on their hands (palmar), on their armpits (axillary), on their feet (plantar), on their face (facial) or on their trunk (truncal).
It can be triggered by exercise, stress, and/or embarrassment, but most commonly it is without obvious triggers. Excessive sweating usually starts in childhood or adolescence and continues throughout life. Causes of Hyperhidrosis The cause of hyperhidrosis is not well understood, but it is known that the sympathetic nervous system (responsible for the fight-or-flight response when under stress) is…
