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Hyperhidrosis - Excessive Sweating (Hands, Feet and Armpits)

Dr. Rafael Reisfeld

Welcome to the Internet's most comprehensive website for hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating). This website is updated weekly by recognized hyperhidrosis leader, author and surgeon Doctor Rafael Reisfeld. Finally there is an effective surgical breakthrough for the treatment of excessive sweating helping people stop sweating and start living their lives! Excessive sweating of the hands, feet, armpits and face, or any combination of these conditions is known as hyperhidrosis. The surgical solution is available and in practice at The Center for Hyperhidrosis in Los Angeles, California. Here, leading world expert Dr. Rafael Reisfeld can often times eliminate the discomfort and embarrassment of excessive sweating once and for all. Within this website you will learn about the different types of hyperhidrosis and the most effective hyperhidrosis treatments offered by Dr. Reisfeld. We also have an excellent frequently asked questions section where we invite you to read, learn and ask us questions of your own. Don't forget to bookmark this page so you can refer to it often.

What is Hyperhidrosis?

• Hyperhidrosis affects between 1 and 2% of the population.
• There is no known difference in those who are affected with regard to race or gender.
• Family genetic history is believed to play a major role in hyperhidrosis.
• The most common areas of focal hyperhidrosis are in the hands, feet and armpits.
• Hyperhidrosis can negatively affect people both socially and functionally in their daily lives.
• For those who suffer from excessive sweating for whom conservative treatments have not worked there are now new outpatient surgical procedures available.
• Historically doctors have underestimated and or misunderstood the significant impact hyperhidrosis has on patient's lives.
• Continual advancements are being made in both instrumentation and technique.
• Conservative treatments have limited success rates.

Hyperhidrosis Causes:
Over the last 15 to 20 years where more cases have been examined we realized that the most common denominator is genetic predisposition. In more than 50% in selected papers written by both Dr. Reisfeld and other authors it has consistently been shown that 50% or more have some genetic history. It is not always in successive generations as we have seen it skip generations. Other causes such as anxiety situations and dietary reasons have not proven to be a factor. On the other hand some trauma to the head and chest area can be traced to the source of hyperhidrosis in a very small amount of cases. There are other factors that may contribute to generalized total body hyperhidrosis and those are obesity, hyper thyroidism, infections, diabetes, etc.

Learn More About:
  Hyperhidrosis Causes and Symptoms

Since the genetic factors are the most important with regards to excessive focal sweating it is the belief of Dr. Reisfeld that one day genetic manipulation will be the ultimate treatment modality. Unfortunately, at present, this is a very distant hope because the knowledge and know how are in their infancy stages.

Hyperhidrosis Treatments:
The wish to control excessive sweating with simple means such as pills, lotion, etc is very old. Doctors have tried to treat excessive sweating with pills, lotions, deodorants, electric devices, acupuncture, bio-feedback. The success rate for the severe cases is extremely limited. Surgical treatments were available for the last 50 to 60 years. Obviously the initial surgical approaches were quite invasive and had complications. Since the development of optical surgical equipment, endoscopic surgeries became the yardstick for different procedures. Sympathectomy can be done now on an outpatient basis. There are minimal small incisions and the patient can return to normal activity in a short amount of time. Dr. Reisfeld has been a world leader in the development of endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy and now lumbar sympathectomy.

Current Surgical Hyperhidrosis Treatments:
For severe hand sweating endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) is the preferred approach. For excessive armpit sweating as the sole presentation then axillary suction curettage is the recommended method. For those who suffer from excessive foot sweating as the primary presentation or when ETS did not help their sweaty feet then lumbar sympathectomy is offered now as a surgical solution.

Excessive Sweating Surgical Solutions:
  Hand Sweating Surgical Solution  (Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy)
  Foot Sweating Surgical Solution  (Lumbar Sympathectomy)
  Armpit Sweating Surgical Solution  (Suction Curretage)

Doctor Rafael Reisfeld - When Experience Counts:
For any potential patient who suffers from severe excessive sweating it is extremely important to talk with the surgeon who performs the operation. Any staff members (for example nurses, office managers and or personnel who do not perform the procedure) are not equipped to answer your questions appropriately.

Dr. Rafael Reisfeld, M.D., F.A.C.S., A.B.M.S., is a Board-Certified surgeon, diplomat of the American Board of Surgery, and known worldwide as one of the very best doctors in the field of hyperhidrosis. Dr. Reisfeld was one of the first doctors to perform the ETS procedure and continues to perform this surgery, as well as newly developed techniques on virtually a daily basis. He is continually published in various medical journals and has been interviewed by various media outlets such as Newsweek Magazine, Fox News, CBS, and many others for his expertise and knowledge in this field. Dr. Reisfeld's primary focus is helping those who suffer from hyperhidrosis and he is tirelessly working to improve methods used to accomplish that goal.

Learn More About:
  Rafael Reisfeld
  News Coverage of The Center For Hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis History:
Initially the treatment for palmar hyperhidrosis was based on the elimination of the T2 sympathetic ganglia (nerve). This describes the anatomical annotation of the nerve segment responsible for this excessive sweating. Over the last 10 years the accumulated knowledge changed the focal treatment to the level T3-T4 which describes a segment somewhat lower to the one described above. This change and the utilization of titanium clips vs. destroying the nerve segment improved the current treatment. Another improvement is that now there are different surgical procedures available for different types of focal hyperhidrosis (Hands, Armpits, Feet).

Hyperhidrosis Testimonials:

"I admire your impeccable professionalism and your utmost skill in the performance of this highly technical and precise surgical procedure. I have waited many years since I was a young girl to properly get rid of this problem. My knowledge as a dermatologist led me to the best procedure and to the best doctor."
Ligaya.B, M.D.    Read More From Doctor

"I had the ETS surgery for palmar hyperhidrosis in 2003 and wanted to thank you and your staff for all of help. Taking a standardized test in the past was nearly impossible without handing in a sopping wet ScanTron sheet. Since my surgery date, I was able to take the paper and pencil medical school entrance exams. I applied to medical school and now I am a second year medical student in Ohio! This surgery changed my life."
Sarah    Read More From Sarah

"I would also like to thank all of your staff for such a pleasant experience. They were very friendly and helpful from the first time that I made a phone call to your office up to the time in the recovery room. Everyone made me feel very comfortable and well taken care of."
Peggy.P    Read More From Peggy

"Kristen was operated on twice by another doctor in New York and neither operation alleviated the problem, and the surgeries were far more difficult to recover from. You were her last hope and you changed her life! I have never been so happy to be able to do something like this for one of my children."
Philip.G    Read More From Philip

"I am still in awe every single day at the miracle of my dry hands. I have been able to go back to church without the anxiety of having to shake or hold hands during the service. I happily hold the hands of my third graders and shake hands with their parents with confidence."
Carolyn.B    Read More From Carolyn

  Read from several touching thank you letters Dr. Reisfeld has received over the years since 1996.

Dr. Reisfeld contributes an important chapter to a new peer review book about hyperhidrosis - May, 2008 Location For Sympathectomy - August 2007 Lumbar Sympathectomy - April, 2007 View New Information about Plantar (Foot) Sweating - April, 2007 Clamp Placement for Severe Palmar Hyperhidrosis (New Study) Facial Sweating and Facial Blushing Limiting the indications for ETS Dr. Reisfeld attends International Symposium on Sympathetic Surgery in Vienna, 2005 Insurance issues and Sympathectomy for Hyperhidrosis. Heart Rate changes after endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy Recurrence after sympathectomy performed for Palmar hyperhidrosis Palmar hyperhidrosis vs. Plantar hyperhidrosis. Can the sympathectomy clamps move from their original position in the body? Alternative or conservative methods in the treatment of Hyperhidrosis.

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Excessive sweating and hyperhidrosis Treatment
Excessive sweating and hyperhidrosis problems can be helped with antiperspirant that works without a prescription. Maxim antiperspirant contains a proprietary active ingredient which is currently recommended for excessive sweating and hyperhidrosis by over 1,000 dermatologists across the country.

Please consult your doctor before considering any medical treatment. Hyperhidrosis presents many choices and important decisions so please consult your doctor.

The information on this site is not to be used for diagnosis and or treatment, or to be used in place of professional medical advice from your doctor or physician. This web site is intended as an introduction to Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy. When considering this or any surgical procedure, consult with your surgeon for any additional information regarding the surgery, risks, complications, recovery and results.
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