Have you ever had sweat soak through your shirt, even when you were just sitting still? Have you felt embarrassed about lifting your arms during a job interview, fearful that others might see the dark stains under your armpits?
Most people perspire under pressure and exertion, but if you have excessive underarm sweating, you may have a condition known as hyperhidrosis. This type of sweating can occur even in the absence of triggers such as anger or fear, and affects up to 5 percent of the world’s population.
A recent study conducted among 2,300 primary care patients revealed that almost half of these individuals experienced the disorder while they were asleep. Although doctors pinpointed menopause as a main contributor to profuse perspiration among women, they said that there is still no identifiable medical cause for it in men.
Some of the study subjects reported that their nightly excessive underarm sweating was negatively affecting their sleep, since the perspiration soaked through their bed linens and made them uncomfortable. Buying special sheets and pillowcases that wick moisture away from the body may help these individuals stay drier, cooler and more comfortable.
“Many researchers believe that night sweats not related to a medical condition are caused at least partly by stress,” said expert Traci Broughton. “In turn, people often experience increased stress when they don’t get a good night’s sleep.”
The prevalence of the disorder has led to the development of advanced technologies such as the Axilase treatment. This type of laser therapy is minimally invasive, effective and quick, requiring only one hour to complete.
Patients are awake during the procedure, during which the physician makes two incisions on the edges of the armpit and fills the area with numbing fluid. Laser energy is then allowed to penetrate the skin, destroying the sweat glands responsible for hyperhidrosis. After the process is completed, most people are ready to get back to their regular activities within the next day or two.
All that is needed after undergoing the treatment is a simple painkiller like Tylenol to alleviate some of the mild discomfort, as well as a compression garment that is used to speed the process of recovery.
There’s no sense in sweating over hyperhidrosis. Speaking to a laser specialist about the Axilase treatment can help patients with the condition feel cooler, drier and more confident.
