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Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) affects about 0.1% of the population and is considered to be genetically inherited. Hyperhidrosis usually starts during adolescence, however, it can start anytime between infancy and adulthood. Hyperhidrosis is a functional and socially disabling problem which has no known etiology, but has been related to hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous system. These nerves are located in the chest cavity. Hyperhidrosis can cause severe psychological, medical and occupational problems. Intimate and sexual relationships can adversely be affected. Regardless of the location of hyperhidrosis, it can be a debilitating problem, making day-to-day life activities difficult to impossible.
Various types of non-surgical therapy are available and should be tried first to treat hyperhidrosis. However, endoscopic thoracic sympathicotomy (ETS) is the most effective way to treat severe hyperhidrosis. 
This is the most common type of hyperhidrosis. These individuals have excessive sweating of the hands and are reluctant to shake or hold other people's hands. Palmar hyperhidrosis also has adverse impact on the social, professional, athletic, sexual and emotional aspect of these patients lives. Often individuals with palmar hyperhidrosis carry a towel or handkerchief in their hands. Hands can become exceedingly cold, clammy and wet from excessive sweating. Other symptoms of palmar hyperhidrosis are:
• Difficulty grasping objects
• Difficulty holding a pen, running ink
• Papers becoming wet in their hands
• Cold, cool hands
• Bluish, purplish discoloration of hands | • Wiping hands constantly
• Difficulty focusing
• Difficulty handling paper | As a consequence, hyperhidrosis can cause these individuals to be socially withdrawn and limited in their choice of profession, intimate and sexual relationships. ETS is the most effective way to treat severe palmar hyperhidrosis. 
Excessive sweating in the face can result from an overactive sympathetic nervous system. Mild social stimuli with stress can cause excessive facial sweating which can also involve the scalp and the neck. Excessive facial sweating may become exacerbated during social contacts and other important social activities. This can lead to being self-conscious and having low self-esteem. ETS is a very effective way to treat severe facial sweating.
Excessive underarm sweating can accompany palmar hyperhidrosis or present alone. These individuals suffer from excessive sweating at the armpit. This can cause:
- Wetness and odor
- Staining of clothing
- Rotting of clothing
Consequently, they can be emotionally and psychologically affected, and be socially withdrawn to avoid embarrassment. ETS may be used in treating axillary hyperhidrosis specially if it is accompanied by palmar hyperhidrosis. Isolated axillary hyperhidrosis has also been successfully treated by ETS, however this increases the chance of post operative compensatory sweating. 
These individuals suffer from excessive sweating of the feet. This can occur in conjunction with palmar hyperhidrosis and could be associated with an overactive sympathetic nervous system. They may complain of:
•Bad odor of the feet
•Athlete's foot problems
•Blisters of the feet
•Infection
•Rotting of socks When ETS is performed for palmar, facial or axillary hyperhidrosis, many individuals who also suffer from pedal hyperhidrosis improve dramatically. E-mail Us | Phone : (818) 908-1679 Hyperhidrosis | Facial Blushing | Social Phobia | ETS | Side Effects | Testimonials
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