Many people suffer from excessive sweating in Minneapolis area. In fact, it is estimated that approximately three percent of people in the United States have this problem. The medical term for excessive sweating is hyperhidrosis. This condition occurs as the result of an overactive sympathetic nervous system, which is the system that regulates sweat production. An overactive sympathetic nervous system increases the amount of the sweat that the sweat glands produce.
The face, underarms and palms are some areas of the body that are commonly affected by hyperhidrosis. Hyperhidrosis can be classified as being primary or secondary. Primary hyperhidrosis is triggered by body stimuli. Family history often plays a role in the development of primary hyperhidrosis. Secondary hyperhidrosis is caused by an underlying medical condition, such as a spinal cord injury or endocrine disorder.
The good news is that there are a number of treatments available for this embarrassing problem. One of those treatments is a procedure called LaserDry. LaserDry involves using a laser to destroy the sweat glands in the armpit. This procedure is very effective. Most patients will notice anywhere from an 80 to 90 percent improvement after getting this treatment. One of the disadvantages of this procedure is that it can only treat excessive underarm sweating.
Botox is another treatment that is available for hyperhidrosis. It can be performed on the face, feet, hands and underarm. Botox works by blocking the sympathetic nervous system’s nerve endings. It also prevents the body from releasing acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that activates sweat production.
There have been studies done to show that Botox can help prevent underarm sweating for up to six months. One study showed that over 80 percent of patients noticed a 50 percent reduction in sweat production after six months. Half of the patients reported a significant reduction in sweat production after seven months.