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- $Unique_ID{BRK00258}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{What Can Be Done About Heavy Sweating?}
- $Subject{sweat Ill Defined Symptoms symptom hyperhidrosis profuse sweating
- topical medication medications idiopathic skin blood disease hematologic
- malignancies Pituitary Acromegaly Fungal infections infection thyroid
- perspiration}
- $Volume{N-20}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
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- What Can Be Done About Heavy Sweating?
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-
- QUESTION: I have a terrible problem with sweating and I don't know what to
- do. I try extra showers and I constantly use antiperspirants, but nothing
- seems to work. I've been to a doctor who prescribed a cream that only worked
- a little. What can I do? I really sweat buckets.
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-
- ANSWER: You may need a second opinion from another doctor who knows more
- about the problem of hyperhidrosis (profuse sweating). It is, at best, a
- difficult situation to manage. Sometimes this problem is a symptom of another
- problem. Other times it is not as serious and can be controlled with topical
- medications. If you have a case of primary hyperhidrosis, then it may be
- idiopathic--a problem that is self-contained within the skin. Trials with
- various medications may largely control the problem.
- If, however, you have a secondary case, then further examination will be
- necessary to to see if you have an underlying disease. In rare cases, profuse
- sweating can be a symptom of a blood disease, including hematologic
- malignancies.
- Pituitary problems could also be the culprit. Acromegaly--the abnormal
- enlargement of the extremities, nose, jaw, hands and feet is due to
- hypersecretion of the pituitary gland, but it can also lead to severe
- sweating. Fungal infections within the body may also cause hyperhidrosis, as
- can overactivity of the thyroid and other endocrine glands.
- If you are on medications for other problems, check with your doctor to
- find out if you may be having a bad reaction to one of them--that could also
- be causing you to spout geysers of perspiration.
-
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- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
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