Control Underarm Sweat |
|
 April 24, 2008 |
 |
My Top 3 |
 |
by Jed Elaine
Underarms are a private matter. Having that said, it's also evident that people are increasingly fussing over their underarms, men and women alike although in different manners and to different extents. Whether it's grooming, hygiene, medical treatment, vanity or other reason or purpose, it's getting due attention nowadays.
At puberty, the underarm areas become loaded with hair follicles and sweat glands. The functions that hair and sweat serve are subtle but complex. Both basic types of sweat glands (Eccrine and Apocrine) are present and the hair works in partnership with sweat to provide protection and defense mechanism against knocks, bruises and overheating.
The basic functions of Underarm Sweat are cooling and lubrication. When sweat evaporates from the underarms, the process absorbs heat from the surrounding area thereby reducing the temperature. In wetting the surface between the arms and the body during locomotion, underarm sweat reduces the friction generated from the inherent rubbing. A component of underarm sweat (aprocrine) in conjunction with hair follicles is also secreted when the person is under stress, anxiety or duress. This type of sweat has a milky appearance and a foul odor develops when it comes into contact with bacteria.
So we really must have underarm sweat. But then it is necessary to have it only in the right amount and under the right condition. Too much (Axillary Hyperhidrosis) or too little or no (Axillary Anhidrosis) underarm sweat is abnormal and needs treatment. Axillary Anhidrosis is potentially life-threatening so medical advice should be sought as soon as possible.
Excessive Underarm Sweat sufferers outnumber those on the opposite end of the spectrum who are handicapped in that facility by a distance. Millions of Americans carry the problem in varying degrees. A good percentage of those have excessive sweat disorder also in other parts of their body such as hands (Palmar), feet (Plantar) and face (Facial).
There are two categories of Excessive Underarm Sweat. The first category is Primary Axillary Hyperhidrosis and the second one is Secondary Hyperhidrosis. The former is direct and straightforward in both effect and treatment while the latter is as depicted by name related to another underlying medical problem. Having that said, it's not necessarily sticky as when the root cause such as diabetes, thyroid and so forth is eradicated, the associated Secondary Excessive Underarm Sweat will recede in tandem.
Like other diseases or illnesses, prevention is better than cure and healthy basics go a long way in providing a sound platform in combating underarm sweat problems. A good diet, exercise and habit routine will keep you in good stead with your underarm sweat. We can't do without underarm sweat, but we can't do with too much of it either.
About the Author:
Leave a Reply