Synonyms in a broader sense
Medical: Hyperhidrosis Hyperhidrosis facialis = sweating in the face Hyperhidrosis manuum = sweating of the hands Hyperhidrosis palmaris = sweating of the palms Hyperhidrosis pedis = sweating of the feet Hyperhidrosis axilliaris = excessive sweating under the armpits
Definition Hyperhidrosis
The term hyperhidrosis (from the Greek “hyper”: more, above and “hidros”: water, sweat) describes the tendency to sweat excessively. This can occur in certain areas as well as in the entire body.
Diagnosis Hyperhydrosis
The diagnosis of hyperhidrosis is made clinically, which means that there are no objective tests (e.g. measuring the amount of perspiration) that can lead to a diagnosis. Only the examining doctor can make the diagnosis based on the symptoms, the medical history (anamnesis) and his medical examination. For patients who come with such symptoms, the first thing I do is to shake hands.
In these cases it is often observed how the patients first wipe their hand on their trousers and then – still anxious – reach out their hand. After years of suffering, the presentation to the doctor is a stressful situation. In some cases it is noticed during the medical consultation that sweat drips from the patients’ hands.
In some cases it is difficult to distinguish between natural (physiological) sweating in extreme situations and excessive sweating as a disease state. The subjective perception of the patient helps to find the right way. People who already have a behavioral disorder – most often it is social isolation – obviously have a disease that needs treatment.
The cause of sweating lies in a natural regulatory mechanism of the human body. If a patient engages in sports, his energy metabolism is boosted and energy is provided in the form of glucose. Through this upregulation of the energy metabolism a heat is formed in the body, which somehow has to escape from the body so that the body temperature does not rise.
For this purpose so-called sympathetic nerve fibers are activated. These sympathetic nerve fibers are the cause of sweating as they ensure that the messenger substance acetylcholine is released and it comes to the fact that the sweat glands produce more sweat and thus transport the excess heat in the body to the outside. Thus, the cause of sweating is to be found in the involuntary, vegetative nervous system, which consists of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves.
However, involuntary also means that one cannot control the extent of sweat production, but that as soon as the sympathetic nervous system is strongly activated, it automatically sweats. The cause of sweating can therefore also be that a patient is excited, for example before an examination, or that a patient has hyperthyroidism, which then leads to a permanent increase in the tone of the sympathetic nervous system. Another cause of sweating can also be a dysregulation of various hormones, which is the case for example during puberty or the menopause (climacteric).
Hot flushes can thus occur during the menopause. In general, the causes of sweating are usually nothing unusual, but patients who sweat excessively (hyperhidrosis) should consult a doctor. Above all, patients should be careful if there is increased sweating at night. The cause of night sweats can also be a tumor disease and is a so-called B-symptomatic. Infections, mental disorders, heart diseases or metabolic disorders can also be the cause of sweating and therefore patients who sweat more should definitely consult a doctor.
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