Sweating is a natural process in the human body and it is managed by the millions of sweat glands all over the skin. When the body heats up because of exercise or hot weather, the sweat glands kick in and start perspiring to cool the body down again. Heat is not the only factor to induce sweating because it can also be caused by emotional stress, nervousness, excitement and nausea and vomiting. It can be very troublesome to be sweaty all the time, so here is some more information on how to stop sweating.

Excessive perspiration is known as hyperhidrosis and is considered to be a medical condition which can often be effectively treated. Primary hyperhidrosis starts very early in life and is considered to be a hereditary dominant genetic condition. The hypothalamus in the brain is in control of perspiration with the help of the central nervous system in the human body. By perspiring, the core temperature of the body is reduced and the process of sweat evaporating off the skin in turn decreases the external temperature.

The most common way to deal with sweating is antiperspirants which contain the ingredient aluminum chloride, which keep the body dry. For a person with hyperhidrosis, this product will not be sufficient. For this reason over the years procedures have been found and medical drugs have been tried to manage this condition. Underarm sweating has been effectively treated with Botox injections and the effects can last between 4-9 months at a time.

Iontophoresis is another tried method and it involves passing a low electric current through the body with the help of water and in some cases medications as well. The minerals in the water then effectively blocks the sweat pores and therefore decreases the amount of perspiration released. These 20 minute sessions should be done a number of times a week at first and once sweating is under control, a maintenance treatment of about once every three weeks are necessary, but it is different for every patient.

Anti-cholinergic oral drugs have been used successfully to control hyperhidrosis but they should only be taken under a doctor's supervision. This drug works by affecting the neurotransmitters in the nervous system which control perspiration. The main problem with these drugs is that they have unpleasant side effects such as dry mouth, blurry vision, constipation and drowsiness.

Many individuals find the above mentioned methods inadequate in dealing with their problem and for those there are more invasive ways to treat it. Sweat gland destruction and removal or endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy or ETS, are all more complicated procedures performed by physicians or specialists. The seriousness of completely removing the sweat glands are by nature the very last option to consider in treating hyperhidrosis.

People who have a problem with too much perspiration are very self conscious and it has many unpleasant emotional effects on them. They stress because they sweat and when they sweat more they get even more stressed and this just continues the cycle over and over again. There is no doubt that hyperhidrosis can affect a person's life in a very serious manner and if it does, they should take the necessary steps to find out how to stop sweating.