What Can Be Done About Heavy Sweating?

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.