Overseas Vietnamese Americans return home to treat increased sweating

Ms. Thanh was examined at a medical facility in the US and was diagnosed with increased sweating. She was treated with medication and Botox injections, but the results were not as expected. On the occasion of returning to Vietnam at the end of the year, she went to Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City for treatment. Dr. Le Chi Hieu, Center for Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, explained that the autonomic nervous system plays an important role in controlling the body’s automatic functions, including heart rate, breathing, digestion, and sweating. When the sympathetic system is overstimulated by factors such as stress or diseases such as hyperthyroidism or diabetes, the body sweats more than usual.

Increased sweating is a very common physical disorder, not dangerous but causing a lot of trouble. Areas of the body that often sweat a lot are the armpits, hands and feet. Closed skin areas that are constantly wet also increase the risk of infection, fungal infection, and unpleasant odors.

Ms. Thanh sweats a lot on her hands both on cold days and at night. Therefore, the doctor intervened by endoscopic sympathectomy to completely resolve the problem.

The team opened two small incisions (5 mm) in the armpit area on both sides, inserted endoscopic instruments, and deflated the lungs to create large space for manipulation as well as avoid damage to the lung parenchyma during surgery. With the support of the camera, the doctor clearly observes the sympathetic ganglia, cutting off the group of sympathetic ganglia on both sides of the chest to help reduce sweating in the hands. Before completing the surgery, the team inflates the lungs again, ensuring the patient’s respiratory function returns to its original state. After surgery, Thanh’s hands were dry.

Dr. Hieu said that endoscopic sympathectomy surgery is often applied when internal medical measures such as applying antiperspirants, Iontophoresis – iontophoresis technology, anticholinergic drugs, Botox injections… do not respond. The advantages of laparoscopic surgery are short surgery time, high aesthetics, thorough removal of sweat glands in the hands, armpits and face, bringing long-term results.

Along with surgical treatment, patients need to combine changes in living habits such as wearing loose, airy clothes, bringing spare clothes if exercising or moving outdoors in hot weather, limiting spicy foods, alcoholic beverages, caffeine… Patients need to maintain mental stability, avoid anxiety and stress so as not to affect the sympathetic nervous system. Meditation exercises, yoga, deep breathing… are therapies that help improve mood.