Glossary
A description of the medical terms used in this excessive sweating guide.
A
Acid reflux disease
A disease where the stomach acid leaks up into the oesophagus (gullet), causing difficulties with swallowing and heartburn.
AIDS
This stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome: it is a disease in which the body’s immune system is unable to cope with diseases and infections.
Allergies
An adverse reaction of the body to a substance or type of medication.
Anticholinergic
A name given to a type of medication which impedes the transmission of nerve signals in the parasympathetic nervous system.
Antiperspirant
A produce used to deal with sweating. This is available as a spray can which is then applied to the armpits to prevent sweating.
Anxiety
A common psychological disorder in which the sufferer experiences mental distress as a reaction to a perceived threat. This manifests itself as a feeling of dread or fear.
Apocrine
Refers to one of two types of sweat gland in the body: this gland produces concentrated, oily sweat which emits a strong smell when in contact with bacteria.
Autonomic neuropathy
Refers to a group of symptoms displayed when damage has occurred to nerves within the peripheral nervous system, e.g. brain, muscles and skin.
Axillary
Relates to the armpit: axillary hyperhidrosis (excess sweating of the armpits).
B
Botulinum toxin
A toxin used for cosmetic purposes which is injected in the facial muscles to paralyse them. This has the effect of smoothing out lines on the forehead and wrinkles and is a popular anti-ageing treatment.
Brucellosis
A highly contagious bacterial disease which is similar to influenza.
C
Cancer
A disease which is caused by uncontrollable cell division within the body which then infects other tissues and organs.
Cerebrovascular diseases
The name given to a range of diseases which affect arteries within the brain, e.g. stroke.
Compensatory sweating
A type of sweating which occurs in an unusual part of the body, e.g. the shoulders.
D
Depression
A psychological disorder characterised by feelings of extreme sadness, low self-esteem and worthlessness. Many sufferers report suicidal thoughts during their illness.
Diabetes
A disease in which the sufferer has too much glucose in their blood. Their pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin or fails to use existing insulin supplies properly. There are two types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
Diabetic neuropathy
A range of diseases of the nervous system caused by diabetes.
E
Eccrine
Another type of sweat gland which are found in all the skin of the body and produce a transparent, acid based sweat.
Epilepsy
A neurological disease characterised by seizures (known as ‘fits’).
G
Ganglia
The medical term for a collection of nerve cells or tissues.
Gout
A type of arthritis which affects the joints, usually the big toe, which is caused by a build up of waste products (uric acid) within the body.
H
High blood pressure
The medical name for this is hypertension: it occurs when too much pressure is put on the walls of the arteries as blood flows through them. This forces the heart to work harder than normal leading to long term problems.
HIV
This stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus: this is similar to AIDS in that it attacks the immune system, leaving it open to serious infections.
Hyperhidrosis
The medical name for excessive sweating: this condition is characterised by abnormal sweating from the armpits, hands and feet.
I
Iontophoresis
A form of treatment for excessive sweating. It is based upon water and electrical conductivity to block sweat pores thereby preventing excess sweating.
J
None at present.
K
None at present.
L
Lymphoma
A type of cancer which attacks cells within the immune system called lymphocytes.
M
Malaria
A highly infectious disease, carried by mosquitoes, which often occurs in tropical areas of the world. It causes a fever and headaches and in severe cases can be fatal.
Mesothelioma
A rare type of cancer which occurs following prolonged exposure to asbestos. It attacks the lining which surrounds many internal organs or the mesothelium.
N
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
A form of lymphoma which affects cells in the immune system and is often associated with ageing. This is a slow growing or fast growing form of cancer.
O
Obesity
An increasingly common condition in which a person is carrying an excess amount of body fat to the extent that it causing serious health problems.
Overactive thyroid
The medical term is hyperthyroidism: this is caused by an overproduction of hormones from the thyroid gland which accelerates processes within the body, e.g. rapid heartbeat.
P
Palmar
Refers to the palms of the hands.
Parkinson’s disease
A degenerative disease of the nervous system which affects movement, balance and cognitive functions.
Plantar
Refers to the feet.
Q
None at present.
R
Raynaud’s phenomenon
A disease in which there is inadequate blood supply to the fingers and toes causing them to become cold, whitish coloured and painful. This is caused by a spasm within the arteries which supply these extremities.
Respiratory failure
This describes an inability to exchange oxygen (intake) and carbon dioxide (output) in the body. Someone with this condition is unable to breathe properly.
Rheumatoid arthritis
A type of autoimmune disease which results in a chronic inflammation of the joints and tendons.
Riley-Day syndrome
A rare genetic disease which affects the autonomic nervous system resulting in poor growth, high blood pressure and an inability to produce tears.
This is more commonly found in Jewish communities in Eastern European countries.
S
Shingles
A disease caused by the chickenpox virus which causes a painful, stinging skin rash along the nerves which were home to the chickenpox virus. This affects older rather than younger people.
Spinal cord tumours/lesions
This refers to cancerous or non-cancerous growths on the spinal cord.
Stroke
This is also known as a ‘brain attack’: it occurs when a blood vessel within the brain becomes blocked preventing blood from reaching it, thereby leading to damage and possibly death.
Sweat
The clear acidic fluid produced by the sweat glands which is released onto the skin when the body temperature rises.
Sweating
The process in which the body produces sweat to reduce it’s temperature and prevent overheating.
T
Tuberculosis (TB)
This is also known as ‘TB’for short: a serious infectious disease of the lungs which is fatal if left untreated.
U
None at present.
V
None at present.
W
None at present.
X
None at present.
Y
None at present.
Z
None at present.