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Hyperhidrosis
How is hyperhidrosis of the hands and feet treated?
The patient suffers from palmar-plantar hyperhidrosis, which can be treated using antiperspirants or botulinum toxin injections. Palmar-plantar hyperhidrosis is primarily about controlling sweat secretion and is caused by a disorder in the sympathetic nervous system function. In treatment, antiperspirants used mainly contain aluminum salt compounds, such as 20% aluminum chloride. It should be used according to the doctor's instructions, every three to five days. Typically, dryness and flaking of the skin occur after using the medication, and timely skin care is necessary. Botulinum toxin injections can also be used to treat palmar-plantar hyperhidrosis. Botulinum toxin can inhibit the action of acetylcholine at local nerve endings, which also has a therapeutic effect on local hyperhidrosis. Moreover, the effect lasts relatively long, maintaining about six months.
What causes hyperhidrosis?
Hyperhidrosis refers to abnormal excessive sweating either locally or over the entire skin surface that occurs under normal living conditions or circumstances. In Western medicine, hyperhidrosis is primarily attributed to psychological factors, hemiplegia, concussion, and other causes of autonomic nervous damage or dysfunction, as well as some endocrine disorders, such as hyperthyroidism and diabetes. Sometimes, it can also be a symptom accompanying other diseases. The occurrence of hyperhidrosis is linked to an increase in sympathetic nerve impulses that enhance the excitement of sweat glands, leading to excessive sweating. It can also be due to increased nervous tension in the sweat glands, which intensifies the sweating response. Furthermore, excessive sweating can occur with the extensive use of corticosteroids, and it can be categorized into localized sweating and generalized sweating. According to traditional Chinese medicine, there are two types of excessive sweating: spontaneous sweating and night sweating. Spontaneous sweating entails sweating during the day without much physical activity, which worsens with exercise and is associated with qi deficiency. Night sweating occurs during the night and is accompanied by symptoms such as warmth in the palms and soles and irritability, indicating yin deficiency.
What vitamin is lacking in excessive sweating?
Excessive sweating generally occurs and is mostly considered to be caused by a lack of trace elements, such as a deficiency in zinc or calcium. Effective conditioning can initially be achieved through calcium supplementation, for instance, by consuming more foods and fruits like eggs, fish, lean meat, shrimp, rib soup, egg soup, Chinese cabbage, leafy greens, bananas, grapefruits, and oranges. These can greatly help replenish the calcium the body is lacking and contain trace elements that can lead to significant improvements. Regular physical exercise is also necessary, as it can increase the body's resistance and effectively prevent diseases.
Is excessive sweating due to qi deficiency?
In clinical practice, it is common to see that qi deficiency often leads to excessive sweating, but does excessive sweating always indicate qi deficiency? Not necessarily. There are three reasons for excessive sweating: The first reason is qi deficiency, the second reason is damp-heat, and the third reason is yin deficiency. As you can see, excessive sweating is not always due to qi deficiency; it can also be due to yin deficiency or damp-heat. There is also a condition of excessive sweating due to congenitally active sweat glands, which is not caused by qi deficiency but is instead a hereditary factor. Therefore, excessive sweating is not necessarily always due to qi deficiency.
Excessive sweating is commonly seen in which diseases?
In cases of excessive sweating, it is often seen in individuals with kidney deficiency, physical weakness, or excessive dampness. It may also be due to malnutrition, such as calcium deficiency or lack of trace elements, which can all lead to this symptom. Therefore, it is advisable to manage your diet by including eggs, lean meat, shrimp, as well as fruits like apples, bananas, and grapefruits. These foods help increase the body's calcium and contain trace elements, which can lead to significant improvements. Additionally, ensure adequate sleep, avoid overworking, and do not stay up late.
Is excessive sweating a symptom of diabetes?
Diabetes typically presents with symptoms of polydipsia, polyuria, polyphagia, and weight loss, commonly known as the "three excesses and one deficiency." However, diabetic patients often have accompanying autonomic dysfunctions or peripheral neuropathy, which can also lead to excessive sweating. Clinically, it is observed that some patients might sweat excessively in specific areas. For instance, some might report excessive forehead sweating or localized sweating on certain body parts, or even unilateral sweating. In such cases, it is necessary to consider whether the symptoms might be a complication of diabetes. To diagnose this, one should firstly conduct diagnostic tests for diabetes, such as the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), to determine if the blood glucose levels meet the diagnostic criteria for diabetes. Additionally, it is important to perform electromyography to check for any neuropathic complications that might affect nerve conduction velocities. This helps in determining whether excessive sweating is a specific symptom of diabetes. However, not all cases of hyperhidrosis are specific to diabetes; other conditions, such as hyperthyroidism (thyrotoxicosis), can also cause excessive sweating and should be considered.
Excessive sweating and susceptibility to colds are mostly due to what?
Excessive sweating and susceptibility to colds are mostly due to lung qi deficiency, which means the lung qi is damaged and insufficient. Why does lung qi deficiency lead to excessive sweating and susceptibility to colds? It is because when lung qi is damaged, the external defense becomes weak. Here we need to mention something called "wei qi." In clinical terms, "wei qi" refers to the body's resistance to diseases, especially external diseases. When this resistance declines, the skin's pores loosen, leading to sweat leaking out, resulting in spontaneous sweating. Under the condition of excessive spontaneous sweating, if the patient does not take proper care, they are more likely to catch a cold. Therefore, excessive sweating and susceptibility to colds are generally caused by lung qi deficiency.
What department should I go to for excessive sweating?
Excessive sweating can occur for many reasons in traditional Chinese medicine, such as disharmony between ying and wei, deficiency in both qi and blood, and hyperactivity of fire due to yin deficiency, among other conditions. It is advisable to visit a hospital and see a traditional Chinese medicine doctor for a direct diagnosis. The doctor will diagnose using the four diagnostic methods: observation, listening and smelling, questioning, and pulse-taking, and then treat the patient by differentiating the syndrome to select the appropriate medications for adjustment. Excessive sweating is a common issue and requires special attention to diet in daily life. It's recommended to eat a light diet and avoid spicy, dry, irritating, and heat-inducing foods. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)
What is excessive sweating and night sweats?
The causes of excessive sweating and night sweats are often considered to be due to a relatively weak constitution or frequent staying up late. Other possible reasons might include frequent sexual activities, which can also lead to excessive sweating and night sweats. Therefore, it is initially necessary to use Chinese medicine for conditioning, which can bring about significant improvement. Mainly, medicines that boost qi and nourish yin, such as ginseng and longan, are used. These can effectively replenish yang and qi and provide effective conditioning. In terms of diet, drinking more plain water can also help alleviate gastrointestinal digestion. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)
What Chinese medicine is good for excessive sweating?
In clinical settings, hyperhidrosis is often divided into two types: spontaneous sweating and night sweating. Spontaneous sweating is mainly caused by qi deficiency, and commonly treated with Astragalus, Cypress, and Fangfeng to address the excessive sweating due to qi deficiency. On the other hand, night sweating is primarily due to yin deficiency. For yin deficiency-induced hyperhidrosis, medicines that nourish yin such as Rehmannia glutinosa, Cornus officinalis, and Chinese yam are used. Additionally, other yin-nourishing medicines like Asparagus Tuber, Ophiopogon Japonicus, and Dendrobium can also be employed. (Medicines should be taken under the guidance of a physician and based on actual conditions.)