Everybody gets sweaty armpits from time to time but for many people it is just one symptom of a larger underlying problem, known as hyperhidrosis. Hyperhidrosis can be called by many names including ‘overactive sweat glands’ and ‘excessive perspiration’.

It is a very common health problem found in up to 4% of the population, but is not always talked about, because it can also be an extremely embarrassing condition. Many people with hyperhidrosis find themselves having to frequently change clothing or wear bulky shirts in an attempt to cover up sweat stains. But having overactive sweat glands can be more than embarrassing.

It can be severe enough to impact every day activities. Some people with this problem will find it difficult to manipulate objects with sweaty hands or to properly grip a writing implement. The causes of excessive perspiration are manifold. A genetic predisposition is apparent as genetics do play a role in determining the concentration and location of our sweat glands. However there are many other factors.

Certain diseases and medications can lead to excessive sweating as can extreme stress or nervousness, certain dietary factors and even obesity. Natural remedies often address these underlying causes providing more long-lasting relief from symptoms than medical interventions.

There are a number of medical treatments that are available to treat hyperhidrosis, ranging from very noninvasive all the way to radical surgery to disable sweat glands or the nerves that control the glands.

Topical and oral medications may be prescribed to either temporarily paralyze sweat glands or to ‘trick’ the body into shutting down perspiration. This is not necessarily a desirable option as perspiration serves an important role in maintaining core body temperature. Natural treatment modalities are more likely to produce a long-lasting effect, as they tend to treat the underlying causes of overactive sweat glands. These treatments can include simple dietary and lifestyle changes, herbal supplements and more.

Learning how to effectively use relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation can often be very beneficial. Additionally lifestyle changes that reduce the growth of ‘bad’ bacteria in the body will greatly reduce the odor of perspiration.

In fact sweat in itself is basically odorless. It is the reaction of sweat with bacteria that creates the unpleasant smell of the famous ‘body odor’. Perhaps the greatest advantages of using natural remedies are the lack of unpleasant or potentially dangerous side effects.