Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, is a problem that affects three percent of the global population.
That is approximately two hundred and nine million people worldwide.
This is by no means an uncommon problem, but why is there so little awareness about the condition? Hyperhidrosis comes in three forms although most people suffer with the most common type which is Primary Focal Hyperhidrosis.
This basically means that the excessive sweating happens for unknown reasons, occurs on the hands, feet, head and face or under the arms; and is symmetrical in nature.
This means that you sweat from both feet, both armpits etc.
Secondary Focal Hyperhidrosis occurs in all the same places as the primary condition, but the reason for the sweating is known or a reason is suspected.
It also differs because the sweating may not be symmetrical.
This could mean that the cause of the sweating is an underlying health problem so medical advice should be sought as soon as possible.
The last form is called Generalised Hyperhidrosis.
This affects the body as a whole and you will experience sweating all over.
This also indicates an underlying health problem such as diabetes, glandular problems or infection, so a doctor should be consulted immediately.
As primary focal hyperhidrosis is of unknown origin, we will look at some of the likely and probable causes of this condition.
One popular theory is put down to the sufferer's diet.
Sweating occurs when we are hot and is our body's mechanism to cool us down, but we also sweat to expel toxins.
If the sufferer eats too much fatty or processed food (which generally has a higher salt content) then the body deals with this by expelling the waste products through our skin as sweat.
Garlic and onions have been pinpointed as foods that hyperhidrosis sufferers should avoid.
Garlic does not get digested and so the body expels it through your skin and mouth, i.
e.
garlic breath.
Caffeine should also be avoided.
It can be found in a number of products apart from coffee, such as energy drinks, so the sufferer should be alert.
Alcohol and cigarettes are also toxins that the body will try to expel through your skin, so these too should be kept to a minimum.
Other theories for the cause of this condition include, being overweight, lack of exercise, stress...
the list goes on and on.
There are treatments available for hyperhidrosis such as natural herbal remedies, stronger antiperspirants, Botox injections and surgical procedures.
All these have positive and negative sides.
A good starting point would be to concentrate on eating healthily and exercising on a regular basis.
A healthy lifestyle is the key basis to a healthier body and perhaps, less sweating.