Center Valley, PA, Oct. 22, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sweating is necessary and normal to human functioning - until it’s not.
Ground-breaking new podcasts, articles and entries into the Library of Congress shed light on the lives of those living with the rarely-talked-about medical condition of extreme, uncontrollable sweating called hyperhidrosis.
Listen, connect, learn, share.
For most people, perspiration is the body’s air conditioning, keeping us cool and at the temperature our systems need to work and be healthy. For about 4.8% of the population, however, sweating can be extreme, over-reactive, uncontrollable, and unpredictable; leading to social and emotional issues, practical hurdles in daily life, ruined clothing and tech tools, hiding behaviors, and skin health risks. But while this sort of sweating is relatively common (more prevalent than peanut allergies and autism), it’s rarely talked about. In fact, too often, hyperhidrosis is ignored, misdiagnosed or under-treated.
For healthcare professionals, time pressures, a perceived lack of treatments, and costs get in the way of candid hyperhidrosis conversations. For sufferers and loved ones, it’s often unawareness, hopelessness, fear, embarrassment, and past bad experiences that propagate silence.
This Hyperhidrosis Awareness Month, the International Hyperhidrosis Society along with brave, honest excessive sweating sufferers, leading experts, major media outlets, and the Library of Congress are bringing to light the hidden stories of excessive sweating; because in sharing, we can change the course of the hyperhidrosis journey. No one with this condition needs to feel alone or that there are no options.
Listeners, readers and fellow sufferers around the world can participate in November’s Hyperhidrosis Awareness Month by finding and sharing new podcasts from the International Hyperhidrosis Society at www.Sweathelp.org/Podcasts.html or wherever you enjoy podcasts. From “Hyperhidrosis 101” and the “Voice of the Hyperhidrosis Patient” to compelling personal accounts, these pods bring hyperhidrosis to life, along with hopes of a better life for sufferers.
Just as important: anyone with a hyperhidrosis story can participate by joining the StoryCorps movement -- record your experiences via StoryCorps and it will be housed in the Library of Congress for future generations to listen and understand. All you need is an app, a friend and a dose of courage to get started. Tag your story #KnowSweat2019 so the International Hyperhidrosis Society and its community can hear it and share it, too.
Hyperhidrosis stories have already been added to StoryCorps and the Library of Congress. You can listen to them now through StoryCorps (Gale & Katie or Elle & David) and through the International Hyperhidrosis Society podcasts.
Watch for news, also, of two major hyperhidrosis articles to be published during this November to remember.
Find the International Hyperhidrosis Society on social media (Facebook @SweatingStopsHere, Twitter @WeKnowSweat and Instagram @WeKnowSweat) to get Hyperhidrosis Awareness Month updates.
Huge thanks to Dermira, Inc., Dr. Sweat and miraDry, Inc., a Sientra Company, for providing grants to help make Hyperhidrosis Awareness Month 2019 impactful. Thanks also to the following organizations for teaming with the International Hyperhidrosis Society to share Hyperhidrsosis Awareness Month messages: the National Association of School Nurses, International Alliance of Dermatological Patient Organizations, Alliance for Patient Access, South Beach Symposium, Dermatology Nurses' Association, Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants, Canadian Paediatric Society, American Podiatric Medical Association, Dr. Alba Catala Gonzalo, British Association of Dermatologists, Canadian Dermatology Association, and European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.
#KnowSweat2019 #KnowSweat #KnowMyHhStory #MyHhStory #HhAwarenessMonth
About Hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition that affects approximately 4.8% of the population. It manifests as extreme, uncontrollable sweating beyond what’s considered “normal” or necessary as a reaction to heat, exercise or stress. Hyperhidrosis also:
- Arises unexpectedly, often with disabling symptoms that last for hours
- Causes sweat to drip down elbows, off fingers, into the eyes, and more
- Drenches and damages shoes, clothes, papers, and mainstay tech tools like smartphones
- Leads to sufferers feeling cold, slippery, anxious, or emotionally drained
- Forces people to develop time-consuming and expensive routines of hiding, avoiding, drying, absorbing, and more – all in an attempt to live a “normal” life
- Is associated with much higher rates of anxiety & depression
- Has negative quality-of-life impacts equal to or greater than severe acne & psoriasis
- Increases risk of skin infections by 300%
- Is stigmatized while being under-recognized, under-diagnosed, and under-treated
- Indeed, only 1 in 4 hyperhidrosis sufferers is ever diagnosed and fewer are cared for effectively with up-to-date best practices.
But there is hope. Treatment options have improved and expanded in recent years and, by working with a knowledgeable healthcare provider, most sufferers can find significant relief. It starts with awareness-building and seeking help, like what’s available via the International Hyperhidrosis Society at SweatHelp.org.
About the International Hyperhidrosis Society
The International Hyperhidrosis Society (IHhS) was founded in 2003 by a team of dedicated advocates working alongside physicians respected worldwide for achievements in hyperhidrosis research and treatment. Today, IHhS remains the only independent, non-profit, global organization striving to improve quality of life among those affected by excessive sweating. IHhS’ mission focuses on reducing the symptoms, anxiety and social stigma associated with excessive sweating. Its programs aim to improve hyperhidrosis awareness, education, research, and advocacy. Visit www.SweatHelp.org to learn more, to stay up-to-date with the hyperhidrosis news blog, to search an excessive-sweating-focused Physician Finder, and access related podcasts and videos. Connect on Facebook @SweatingStopsHere, Twitter @WeKnowSweat and Instagram @WeKnowSweat. You can also find the International Hyperhidrosis Society on YouTube and wherever you enjoy podcasts.
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