by John Di Blasi, HMC, USN
Recently, the Today Show featured Sophia Wastler, a woman who endured years of embarrassment due to uncontrollable sweating. Wastler said she “felt like a weird freak and suffered in silence.” It wasn’t until Wastler was 36 when she finally learned that excessive sweating from her underarms, palms and feet was due to a condition called hyperhidrosis.
Sweating is actually normal, particularly when you’re exercising. However, in some individuals the response is exaggerated, and occurs even while resting. This is abnormal, and individuals can have dripping sweat from their head, underarms, palms and feet, causing extreme physical and emotional discomfort.
When a person experiences excessive sweating unrelated to a medical problem or side effect of a medication it is called primary idiopathic focal hyperhidrosis. Typically it affects the armpits, palms, face, scalp or feet. Another condition, called secondary hyperhidrosis, causes generalized sweating all over the body and is often a side-effect of antidepressants or narcotics. It can also occur due to metabolic dysfunction, such as cancer and overactive thyroid—conditions that need to be evaluated by a medical professional before treatment to alleviate sweating can be initiated.
Idiopathic primary hyperhidrosis usually begins during childhood or adolescence, and tends to run in families. Treatments may include strong antiperspirants, natural or prescription medications, botox, and surgery. These may be covered by medical insurance. And, although unpleasant, primary hyperhidrosis is usually not serious.
Buffalo physician Dr. Hratch Karamanoukian began treating patients for hyperhidrosis more than 12 years ago using a procedure where tiny ports are placed into the armpits to allow the physician to surgically clip the sympathetic nerves. Dr. Karamanoukian says that today he is able to offer many individualized treatment options tailored to specific problem areas. If the palms and feet are affected a procedure called STITCH may be used. If only the underarms are involved, Botox injections may be indicated. A more permanent one-time treatment that does not require “down-time” is called suction curettage. Oral medication may also be used in conjunction with treatments.
It you suspect that you have hyperhidrosis it is important to see a specialist who can properly evaluate you and offer a range of services that may include natural remedies, oral prescription, Botox, suction, or surgery.
WNY Resource
Dr. Hratch Karamanoukian, MD is a cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon who specializes in minimally invasive thoracic surgery and is Director of the Center for Excessive Sweating. A hyperhydrosis specialist, he sees patients from all over the United States and Canada, and is currently writing a book about hyperhidrosis and has developed Hyperhidrosis Fighter, a natural product to help patients combat the condition. It is available for purchase at www.myveinstore.com. Dr. Karamanoukian sees patients in Clarence and Williamsville. To learn more call 716-839-3638 or visit www.EliminateSweating.com. To read more about hyperhidrosis, visit the International Hyperhidrosis Society at www.sweathelp.org.
About the Author:
John Di Blasi is an active duty U.S. Navy Chief and third year medical student at the Georgia campus of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Sweating Uncontrollably?
You Could Have Hyperhidrosis
Copyright, Buffalo Healthy Living, 2010
Publisher/Editor RHL
David Harney
Publisher /Editor BHL
Annette Pinder
Associate Editor
Kathleen Moore, Ph.D
Creative Director
Chris Hanna, Atomic Design.
Editorial Advisory Board
Horacio Capote, M.D.
Sheila Flavin, M.S., R.D.
Philip Haberstro
Shelley Hirshberg, M.A. HSA
Peter Ostrow, M.D., Ph.D
Sylvia Regalla, M.D., MSCN
Nicole Urdang, MS, NCC, DMH
