Sweating Deficiency- Anhidrosis
May 27, 2009
Anhidrosis means inability of the body to sweat out, under any condition. It is a clinical state of abnormal deficiency or complete absence of sweat in the body.
The hallmark symptom of the condition is no or very little sweating over the entire body or in some parts (patches). Such patients can tolerate heat to an enormous level. Other symptoms include fatigue, malaise, headache, nausea, dry skin, dizziness, muscle cramps, palpitations and tachycardia. In severe cases, brain damage or coma may even result.
Anhidrosis is primarily caused due to under activity of sweat glands and may rarely be acquired genetically. Also, with increasing age, the ability of the body to sweat decreases and this is more commonly seen in women.
Pathological decrease in sweating may be due to certain disorders including infection of the sweat glands, radio dermatitis, miliaria, peripheral neuropathy in diabetes, hysteria, burns, psoriasis, chronic alcoholism, some neurological disorders and also in some congenital disorders. Sometimes, the side effects of some drugs can also lead to this condition.
Most of the times, the underlying cause remains unknown and mild cases of anhidrosis often go undiagnosed.
Anhidrosis may cause serious complications as without sweating, body can get overheated and result into a heat stroke, which can be a fatal condition. Exercise or physical workout may cause heat cramps in such individuals. It can prove extremely dangerous in cases of children.
Preventing the development of the disease itself is not at all possible. But, steps can be taken to prevent heat stroke and maintain adequate levels of hydration.
Anhidrosis affecting a small part of the body generally requires no treatment. In case of the disease affecting the entire body, treatment is usually symptomatic and aims at excluding the underlying cause.
In case of heat stroke, resting and maintaining the fluid levels generally work out well. But, medical care becomes necessary when the symptoms are severe.
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