Types of Hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis can be divided into 2 types, depending on whether an obvious cause can be identified. These are known as primary and secondary hyperhidrosis. Primary hyperhidrosis Hyperhidrosis that has no obvious cause is known as primary hyperhidrosis. Although it's not clear why it develops, it's thought to be the result of a problem with part of the nervous system called the sympathetic nervous system, and it's possible your genes may also play a role. Secondary hyperhidrosis If a cause of hyperhidrosis can be identified, it's known as secondary hyperhidrosis. Secondary hyperhidrosis can have a number of different triggers, including: pregnancy the menopause – when a woman’s monthly periods stop anxiety low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) obesity certain medications – including some antidepressants, propranolol, pilocarpine, and bethanechol being drunk or "high" on drugs, or withdrawing from alcohol or drugs if you have become addicted to them some infections, such as tuberculosis and HIV Parkinson’s disease disorders of the blood cells or bone marrow, such as Hodgkin lymphoma (a cancer of the white blood cells) Secondary hyperhidrosis often starts more suddenly than primary hyperhidrosis and tends to affect the whole body.