Sweating too much is seen as a disease? But do you know that sweating too little or no sweating at all can also be a physiological disorder? Read on to know what is Anhidrosis, its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and other important Anhidrosis facts.
Anhidrosis Definition
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Anhidrosis is a medical syndrome which is marked by the inability of the body to sweat properly even in extreme heat. In Anhidrosis skin sweats very little or does not sweat at all. This is an abnormal condition that can turn harmful for the body. It can also result in life-threatening complications.
Alternative Names for Anhidrosis
Anhidrosis is known by many other names like Hypohidrosis, Oligohidrosis, Sweating Deficiency, Decreased Swaeting, Ischidrosis, Oligidria and Adiaphoresis.
Anhidrosis Symptoms
The main Anhidrosis signs and symptoms are :
Impaired Perspiration
Little sweating or total lack of sweating is one of the main Anhidrosis symptoms. The lack of sweating may affect a particular region of the body or several parts of the entire body. The greater the area of the body suffering from Anhidrosis, the bigger is the risk for the sufferer to have a heatstroke. Anhidrosis localized does not involve too serious complications.
Sweating keeps the heatdown and helps maintain normal body temperature. Reduced sweating, naturally, causes serious risk to the body.
Dizziness
Decreased sweating can make the sufferer experience a reeling sensation from time to time. This is due to increase in body temperature. In Anhidrosis Vertigo is very common.
Muscular Cramping
In people with Anhidrosis not sweating or sweating very little can cause muscle cramping.
Rapid Heart Rate
Lack of proper cooling of the body by sweating also leads to an acceleration of heart rate in Anhidrosis patients.
Flushed Face
Anhidrosis patients often exhibit redness in face and neck which is a sign of increased heart rate. This is a case of emergency which needs immediate medical care.
Fatigue
Extreme build-up of heat in the body can also result in physical weakness in sufferers.
Nausea
The sufferer may also exhibit nauseating symptoms in case of Anhidrosis over a large area of the body.
Blurred Vision
Facial Anhidrosis can result in blurred vision in sufferers. Unclear vision is one of the major Anhidrosis facial problems.
Burning
In kids with Facial Anhidrosis burning sensation is common. The child experiences a burning feeling in the part of the face affected by Anhidrosis.
Change in Body Odor
In Anhidrosis body odor can also undergo a change. Change in body smell can be an indication of serious ailments. If there is a fruity body odor in patients of Anhidrosis liver diseases may be a cause. In case of fruity smell in Anhidrosis kidney diseases may be a factor.
Anhidrosis Causes
Know about some of the major causes of Anhidrosis :
Genetic Defect
In Anhidrosis genetics plays an important role. Anhidrosis arises in some people as a result of a defective sweat gland. This is usually a genetic abnormality.
Thyroid Disorders
In sufferers of Anhidrosis thyroid diseases are often a cause. Congenital Hypothyroidism and Myxedema are supposed to cause this disorder.
Hypohidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia
This condition affects the development of the sweat gland of a person. If a person is affected by this disease, he or she may have very few or no sweat glands at all.
Trauma
Injury to the sweat glands may also give rise to Anhidrosis in otherwise normal people.
Drugs
Anhidrosis often results as a side effect of using medicines like Tricyclic Antidepressants, Trihexphenidyl, Oxybutinin and Phenothiazines.
Horner’s Syndrome
Anhidrosis in Horner’s Syndrome is quite common. Horner’s Syndrome is a disease that causes nerve damage and leads to a variety of complications like Ptosis, Anhidrosis, Miosis and other disorders.
Guillain-Barre Syndrome
This neurological disorder can also affect Sudoriferous Gland (sweat gland) in a negative way and lead to Anhidrosis.
Anhidrosis Diagnosis
The diagnosis of Anhidrosis is mainly carried out through tests that indicate the nature and amount of sweating in patients. Anhidrosis testings include
QSART (Quantitative Sudomotor Axon Reflex Test)
It is a non-hurtful way of testing the amount of sweat produced from the body of a person in response to a stimulus.
Sweat Imprint Test
Sweat Imprint Test may also be used to detect the distribution of sweat in the suffering individual.
Thermoregulatory Test
A Thermoregulatory test is also seen as a great way of gauging the extent of perspiration problem in a person. A powdery substance is sprinkled on the affected part of the skin of an individual. The skin area is subjected to high temperature to arouse perspiration. When the individual sweats, the powder changes color and the shade of the powder indicate the nature of perspiration in the person.
Anhidrosis Treatment
The treatment for Anhidrosis involves curing the causative condition behind the syndrome. A doctor can administer drugs to control heart rate, blood pressure and nausea. Antipsychotic drugs may be used to control Anhidrosis resulting from psychiatric problems.
Natural remedies are also necessary for Anhidrosis cure along with drugs. Doctors recommend using natural treatment methods to get rid of the symptoms arising from the disorder.
Anhidrosis Natural Treatment
Looking for Anhidrosis remedies to try at home? You can follow these Anhidrosis natural remedies to keep away from the symptoms of this syndrome.
Drink lots of Water
Water and fruit juices supply the body with the necessary electrolyte. Anhidrosis often results from little fluid intake. Low fluid intake produces little sweat. Fluids also keep the body cool which is highly necessary for Anhidrosis patients as little or no sweat gives rise to build up of heat inside the body. Increased fluid intake works as an effective Anhidrosis remedy.
Wear Loose Clothes
Loose fitted clothes help in circulation of air throughout the body and keep the temperature down naturally.
Avoid Alcohol
Alcoholic or caffeinated drinks can result in dehydration. It is better for Anhidrosis patients to avoid them.
Sponge the Skin
If you are an Anhidrosis sufferer, sponge your skin with cool water or take a bath from time to time. This will keep the body cool.
Avoid Exercise in Heat
For sufferers of Anhidrosis exercise is best avoided in high summer. Workouts in peak summer or very hot surroundings can lead to dehydration and fatigue. It can also result in serious physical complications. It is better for Anhidrosis patients to skip exercise or move to a cooler room while exercising.
Anhidrosis in Children
In Anhidrosis kids exhibit certain symptoms that are not seen in adults. In children with Anhidrosis rashes may develop on the hand, chest, back and buttock. Anhidrosis is a complication in children as kids dissipate heat much lower than adults. If your child has Anhidrosis, it is better to consult a doctor at the earliest.
Anhidrosis and Hyperhidrosis
Anhidrosis, or Hypohidrosis, is often confused with Hyperhidrosis. However, the two are completely opposite disorders. Anhidrosis or Hypohidrosis stands for reduced sweating or absence of perspiration whereas Hyperhidrosis signifies excessive perspiration. Both are highly discomforting conditions.
If there are Anhidrosis patients in your family or you happen to suffer from the disorder yourself, it is better to have a consultation with your doctor. An expert physician will provide you with all the necessary guidance and ensure that you do not suffer from any health complications in future.
References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anhidrosis
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-anhidrosis.htm
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003219.htm
http://naturecure.ygoy.com/2008/06/10/how-to-treat-anhidrosis/
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/anhidrosis/DS01050/DSECTION=prevention
http://www.ohiohealth.com/bodymayo.cfm?id=6&action=detail&ref=4191
http://www.dreddyclinic.com/findinformation/aa/anhidrosis/anhidrosis_2.htm
