901 West 38th Street
Suite 410
Austin, TX 78705
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Hyperhidrosis Treatments Austin
Excessive sweating from the armpit area is extremely embarrassing and can sharply undermine your confidence in day to day interactions with others. Excessive sweating can also cost a fortune because it can ruin your best clothing with unsightly stains that cannot be removed.
Sweating is a natural body function that helps us to regulate the temperature of our bodies. Of the five million sweat glands throughout the body about two-thirds of them are located in the palms of the hands. The secretion of sweat is controlled by the sympathetic nervous system. Some people experience an over-stimulation of these nerves that results in their sweat being produced in far greater amounts than what is necessary to keep a constant body temperature. This condition is referred to as hyperhidrosis.
Excessive sweating may be episodic or continuous. Excessive sweating may be caused by warm weather, emotional stress, or for no reason at all. Hyperhidrosis may be due to an underlying medical condition such as obesity, menopause, thyroid or psychiatric disorders in a small number of cases. However, the vast majority of patients have what is known as essential hyperhidrosis, for which the cause is unknown. Essential hyperhidrosis usually occurs on the hands, feet and armpits but may occur in other areas as well. Sometimes only one armpit is affected. The condition usually starts during adolescence and is lifelong. Nervousness and anxiety frequently precipitate excessive sweating.
Patients who want lasting relief without undesirable side effects or surgery are turning to Botox®. Botox® is injected into areas of the skin that produce excess sweat and can effectively reduce sweat production for many months. Botox® injections to the sweat-producing areas of the armpits can frequently provide relief for as long as 6 months. Botox® is also an effective remedy for excessive sweating of the palms of the hands and relief can last many months. However, the pain involved in the administration of Botox® to the hands along with occasional problems related to muscle weakness can make Botox® a less desirable form of therapy for treating hyperhidrosis of the palms.
