В этой статье вы узнаете:
Increased sweating or hyperhidrosis is quite rare, but it affects about 70 million people worldwide. The distinctive odor of sweat greatly affects the quality of life. In warm weather, after jogging or stress, the amount of sweat secreted in the disease doubles. Sprays and deodorants are of little help. Treatment in Germany these problems have been engaged in for many years. So what are the causes of hyperhidrosis and how to treat it?
Types
If sweating increases in normal weather or at rest, it is pathological hyperhidrosis. There are localized (face, palms and soles) and generalized (all parts of the body) variants.
Reasons
The causes are various neuroendocrine disorders in the body. The following causes are distinguished in the development of hyperhidrosis:
— Disorders of glands and internal human organs: thyroid, pancreas, and adrenal diseases. In addition to hyperhidrosis, there will be other symptoms of diseases.
— Pathology of the nervous system, as well as disorders of the psyche and emotional background are quite common. Such diseases as phobias, strokes, polyneuropathy and others.
— Infectious diseases.
— Diseases of the cardiovascular system.
— Kidney disease.
— Oncology.
— Genetics.
External exposure: alcohol, smoking, drugs, poisoning by mushrooms, toxins, etc.
If the disease is caused by the above reasons, it is a secondary variant. With the treatment of the underlying disease, the severity of hyperhidrosis decreases. The primary variant develops without specific causes.
Treatment of hyperhidrosis
Clinics in Germany practice various treatment options for hyperhidrosis. The specialist selects the necessary scheme after receiving information from the patient, however, sometimes it is necessary to try several options. Some of the methods focus on lifestyle changes to reduce the odor of sweat, while other methods are surgical and medication. Below are the top 10 ways to treat the condition:
1. Diet will help in the fight against nutritional hyperhidrosis. A certain dietary regimen will help to lessen the odor of sweat. There is a protein called keratin on the surface of the skin that softens the sweat. Bacteria that are constantly present on the surface of the skin bind to the protein, which is what causes the foul odor. In addition to bacteria, fried, smoked and fatty foods can also contribute to bad odor. At the same time, drinking tea or coffee as beverages can increase sweating. Thus, restricting the above mentioned foods will reduce the volume of sweat and also remove the odor.
2. Hygiene. A very important aspect in controlling the disease is hygiene. To reduce the severity of the odor, you should take a daily shower, at least 2 times a day. In addition, you should wear clothes made of natural fabrics, do not use synthetic fibers.
3. Use of medical antiperspirants. Ordinary deodorants fight directly with the odor and often fail in case of increased sweating. Clinics in Germany use medical deodorants. The choice of such a product depends on the form of the disease and is determined by the doctor. These means should be applied approximately twice a week. Depending on the localization of the process, the concentration of the active ingredient of the drug is determined. Increased sweating in the armpits is treated with low concentrations, and in the area of the skin of the palms and soles — high. With prolonged use of funds, atrophy of sweat glands occurs, in connection with which sweating completely stops. There are several types of drugs depending on the composition of active substances, which differ in their mechanism of action:
— Oak bark extracts. These substances have tannic properties that help soften the skin epithelium. Its volume increases, which causes narrowing of the pore lumen and a decrease in the volume of sweat. The disadvantage of the product is a short time interval of action, as well as insufficient effectiveness.
— Formalin-based preparations. The substance itself precipitates proteins on the surface of the skin, which blocks the ducts of sweat glands. Unfortunately, the drug is quite toxic and causes allergies and skin irritations.
— Zinc and aluminum salts. Active substances settle on the skin, combine with proteins into complexes and get into the pores, blocking them. The effect of such means is the longest (about 4 days). The action takes place during the renewal of the epidermis layer. At the same time, aluminum is much more effective, since as a result of the reaction, chlorine is formed. It binds better with water to form hydrochloric acid, which, interacting with keratin, forms a plug. However, it is necessary to know exactly the correct concentration of the preparation, as increased formation of hydrochloric acid causes irritation.
4. Electrophoresis. This method refers to physiotherapeutic and consists in applying low-voltage currents to the problem areas. The method is quite effective. However, the duration of its application is about 3 weeks, and the positive effect is short-term. The procedure is almost painless, the patient feels only slight tingling. In clinics in Germany, in addition to the classical version, water electrophoresis is performed. In this case, cholinolytic drugs are administered. Unfortunately, this procedure can not use many drugs, as their polarity properties are unknown. In addition, it is not possible to determine the exact concentration of the drug.
5. Medication. In German clinics, after obtaining detailed information about the conditions of hyperhidrosis attacks, the doctor will prescribe the necessary treatment. Usually the specialist begins drug therapy with sedatives, due to the fact that most attacks are associated with a violation in the autonomic system. If the drugs do not have the necessary effect, stronger drugs are prescribed. Usually such groups of drugs have a sedative, anticonvulsant and sedative effect. Also often in women of menopausal age there are attacks of the disease, so in such cases, hormone replacement therapy is used.
6. Application of botulinum toxin. The mechanism of action of botulinum toxin is the blockade of impulse transmission between nerve endings. After its introduction, the molecules of the substance inhibit the release of acetylcholine. In this case, there is a cessation of impulses to the glands. Usually the effect lasts about 10 months.
The remaining methods belong to surgical methods. Their advantage is their high and long-lasting effectiveness.
7. In Germany, laser has been used for many years in the treatment of the disease. The technique is carried out under local anesthesia. The laser is used to remove sweat glands, which will not recover.
8. If the patient suffers from localized hyperhidrosis of the axilla, curettage is used. This method consists of scraping the tissue through an incision in the axilla. This is a rather crude method of treatment, as scarring changes may develop after it. If the procedure is performed incorrectly, sweating may return.
9. Excision of the skin in the underarm area. The surgeon removes the skin in the armpit area. No episodes of disease occur after this procedure, however, if a large volume of skin is removed, scarring may occur and impaired arm movement may occur.
10. Sympathectomy. Endoscopic sympathectomy is performed in clinics in Germany. Thoracoscopic sympathectomy is considered the most common method. The procedure is performed from a mini-access, which makes it minimally traumatic. On the same day, the patient can be discharged home. The intervention is performed under general anesthesia, when the patient is asleep and does not feel anything. After the patient falls asleep, several punctures are made in the necessary places, where endoscopic equipment is installed. Through one puncture a probe with a small camera at the end is inserted. Through the others — tools for excision of the nerve trunk. During the operation, specialists perform either a complete crossing of the trunk or its clipping, that is, the trunk is clamped with a clip. At the end of the procedure, the instruments are removed and several stitches are made at the puncture site.
However, this method is the last resort in the treatment of hyperhidrosis. Only after ineffective drug treatment is this technique used, as interference with the autonomic nervous system may be the cause of side effects. With abnormal palm sweating and facial redness, the side effect is 4% and 91%, respectively. However, in 96% and 91% of cases, this technique guarantees 100% relief from excessive sweating.
This method is used in hyperhidrosis:
— arms;
— the axilla;
— head or face.
It can also be used to treat blushing syndrome or stress redness of the face.
Several variants of sympathectomy are known:
— modern technique — complete destruction of the nerve trunk or its clipping;
— classical technique — performed at the cervical or thoracic level;
— percutaneous intervention — blockade of the trunk is performed with the help of currents or chemicals.
The classical technique is not used today, as scars may remain after the operation, with the endoscopic variant there are none.
Endoscopic sympathectomy has several variations in performance, which depends on:
1. Patient positions during surgery: performed on the back, stomach or side.
2. The number of punctures is from 1 to 3.
3. The level of blockage is thoracic vertebrae T2, T3, or T4.
The name of the procedure will vary depending on the effect on the nerve trunk:
— sympathicotomy – complete crossing;
— sympathectomy – removal;
— a ramicotomy is a dissection of the connective fibers;
— clipping – clamping the trunk.
Like any surgery, endoscopic sympathectomy has side effects. For example, compensatory increased sweating may occur in areas that were not affected by the disease. In addition, blood pressure and heart rate may be reduced after the procedure, which is perceived by patients more as a positive effect.
Many clinical studies have shown that in sympathectomy it is better to compress the fibers rather than to remove them. In this case, it is necessary to compress the fibers selectively, that is, only those responsible for the area of sweating, and not the entire large branch. This is only achievable by high-level professionals. In the Munich clinics, surgeons specialized in sympathectomy perform it flawlessly.
Before surgery, patients are carefully examined and interviewed to assess the dynamics of sweating and its localization. During the operation and in the postoperative period, a whole group of specialists (surgeons, therapists, cardiologists, neurologists, endocrinologists and others) works with the patient, as the complexity of the operation is very high. The degree of complexity of the surgical intervention requires that each doctor involved in the operation is highly qualified and experienced. Along with this, modern equipment and special surgical instruments are necessary for a successful operation.
Our clinics in Munich offer the full range of currently available treatments for hyperhidrosis. The individual approach and high level of expertise solve the problem of excessive sweat production.
Our team of expert doctors at Klinikum Germany, led by Maxim Rykov, who has insider information and knows the real rating of every specialist in Munich, will provide you with hyperhidrosis treatment from a leading specialist with extensive experience of success in treating this disorder in your body.