What Is Hyperhidrosis and Might You Have It?
Hyperhidrosis is a very bothersome condition that can impede the quality of one’s social life.
It can bring on enough embarassment to make the sufferer want to stay home.
“Hyperhidrosis is a condition that in any circumstances where a person would normally sweat (whatever the cause), those with the condition will sweat far more relative to volume .– four or five times more than what’s considered normal,” says registered nurse and emergency medical technician Angela Ballard, RN, EMT, with the International Hyperhidrosis Society (www.SweatHelp.org). (more…)
Does Hyperhidrosis Go Away with Age? Can You Outgrow Sweat?
Hyperhidrosis of the armpits, groin or feet–it can be bad enough to impair social life.
But is there hope as the sufferer gets older?
Can you “age out” of hyperhidrosis?
Hyperhidrosis is the medical term for excessive sweating. It can occur anywhere, but when it affects the armpits and feet, the odor becomes an issue in addition to the sweat.
If the groin is affected, this is really uncomfortable.
It can be so bad that several changes of underwear a day are necessary.
Too Old for Hyperhidrosis?
There’s a belief circulating that people who suffer from excessive sweating, which can also affect the hands and beneath the breasts, will outgrow this condition as they get older.
After all, how many elderly people do you know who complain of hyperhidrosis?
Then again, how many people of any age reveal this problem to family and friends?
They know it may be taken as poor hygiene rather than as a medical condition.
- But what really is the truth?
- Is advancing age the best treatment for excessive sweating?
“No, contrary to popular belief, research shows that hyperhidrosis does not go away or decrease with age,” says registered nurse and emergency medical technician Angela Ballard, RN, EMT, with the International Hyperhidrosis Society (www.SweatHelp.org).
“In fact, in one recent IHhS study, 88 percent of respondents said their excessive sweating had gotten worse or stayed the same over time,” continues Ballard.
“This was consistent across all the different age groups, from youngsters to older adults.
“Research from the IHhS also shows that profuse sweating is not simply dictated by the time of year (i.e., hot summer months).”
Nor is it simply a function of rigorous physical activity. It can occur during sedentary periods.
“The majority of patients in one survey indicated that their sweating bothers them equally, no matter the season,” says Ballard.
Angela Ballard has been working with the International Hyperhidrosis Society (IHhS) since it’s inception in 2003.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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Top image: Freepik.com pressfoto
What Happens in the ER when Elderly Woman Reports Chest Pain
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If an elderly family member is having chest pain, don’t delay getting them to the emergency room. (more…)
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HIIT vs. Typical Exercise and Drugs for Battling Depression
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HIIT stands for high intensity interval training. (more…)
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Is Surgery Necessary to Diagnose Ovarian Cancer?
A doctor may suspect ovarian cancer based on symptoms, a blood test & an image of a suspicious mass.
But is surgery always necessary for a formal diagnosis of this ruthless disease? (more…)
WHY Does Stress Increase & Affect Vaginal Discharge?
Have you read somewhere that stress can directly cause vaginal discharge?
“There’s no direct mechanism for stress and vaginal discharge; however, chronic stress can cause hormone imbalances which can lead to abnormal discharge,” says Mylaine Riobe, MD, founder of Riobe Institute of Integrative Medicine.
Dr. Riobe, who’s board certified in ob/gyn and integrative medicine, is the author of “The Answer to Cancer.”
Despite no direct mechanism, stress sets the ball in motion that often leads to changes or increases in vaginal discharge.
“Chronic stress can also cause immune system weakness which can lead to infection, especially with unprotected intercourse,” says Dr. Riobe.
A compromised immune system can pave the path to issues with vaginal discharge.
“In traditional Chinese medicine, there is a mechanism for non-infectious vaginal discharge called damp and also spleen qi (pronounced chee) deficiency.
“Damp is excess fluids in the body, or inflammation. Spleen qi is responsible for management of fluids in the body, and when it’s weak, vaginal discharge can result.
“These causes of vaginal discharge are most closely linked with digestive problems.”
Does stress affect vaginal discharge differently for younger vs. older women?
“Stress-induced infectious vaginal discharge can occur at any age, and risk is increased with unprotected intercourse,” says Dr. Riobe.
“Stress hormones cause suppression of the immune system. The weakened immune system increases the possibility of infection.”
Stress’s Effect on the Immune System
Why does stress compromise immune function?
If you have to fight danger or escape from danger, which body systems do you need?
• Musculoskeletal
• Neuronal
• Cardiovascular
• Respiratory
Chronic stress triggers the same biochemical changes that acute (sudden) stress does.
Shutterstock/Cory Thoman
The body cannot tell the difference between the acute dangers our ancient ancestors faced in the wild, and the ongoing pressure-cooker lives that people face in industrialized societies (e.g., workplace issues, traffic jams, mounting bills, worrying about kids doing drugs).
Chronic stress puts the body in a never-ending state of “fight or flight.”
Shutterstock/tommaso79
The body is always in a preparatory state for that fight or escape from the perceived threat.
You don’t need your immune system to fight or escape from a threat.
The immune system becomes dismantled while more relevant systems gear up for the fight or flight (fast resting heart rate, high blood pressure, accelerated breathing, nervous twitches).
An actual physical fight never comes, of course, so the body remains on perpetual standby – meaning, a perpetually compromised immune system – leading to digestive troubles and creating the perfect storm for vaginal infection leading to more discharge.
“Stress hormones also suppress the ovarian function leading to reduced ovarian hormone levels which can also cause discharge,” says Dr. Riobe.
Again…do you need your ovaries to fight or flee from danger?
“Another possible mechanism is nutrient deficits which are needed by the liver to remove inflammation from the body.
“If the liver is missing key nutrients to perform its function, toxic inflammation will remain in the body causing discharge as well as other problems related to inflammation.”
Dr. Riobe has helped thousands of patients overcome difficult illnesses by addressing root causes, not just masking symptoms. The Riobe Method focuses on the prevention of disease, not the prevention of death from disease. She has 20+ years’ experience using integrative techniques to treat diverse patients.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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Top image: Shutterstock/Prostock-studio
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Black Specks on Nipple but Not Pregnant: What Can These Be?
