SweatSolutions.org: Canadian Medical Journal Gets People Talking about Hyperhidrosis

January 2005 Edition Table of Contents:

» Patient Activism Changes Taiwanese Policy

» New Insurance Tools Help Many

» Canadian Medical Journal Gets People Talking about Hyperhidrosis

» Know Sweat?

» Patient Education Booklets Now Available en Español

» New Year, New Education

» View Events

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Canadian Medical Journal Gets People Talking about Hyperhidrosis

(January 2005) An article by International Hyperhidrosis Society board member Dr. Nowell Solish and his colleague Dr. Aamir Haider published in the Journal of the Canadian Medical Association (CMAJ), has gotten the attention of the Canadian press and its readers.

The article, titled "Focal Hyperhidrosis: diagnosis and management," appeared in the prestigious medical journal's January 4, 2005 edition. In it, authors Solish and Haider explained that excessive sweating carries a substantial psychological and social burden because it interferes with daily activities. Despite its devastating effects, the article explains, patients rarely seek a physician's help because many are unaware that they have a treatable medical disorder. But because there are treatments, say the authors, there is hope: early detection and management of hyperhidrosis can significantly improve a sufferer's quality of life. The authors report that there are various treatments available with efficacy rates greater than 90% to 95%. They also encourage physicians to take hyperhidrosis seriously and to help patients find effective treatment saying, "Effective treatment can result in dramatic improvements to a patient's quality of life and thus physicians can play an instrumental role in the diagnosis and management of this distressing condition."

In response to the article in CMAJ, the Canadian news media published numerous related articles discussing the prevalence of excessive sweating in Canada (research shows that 900,000 Canadians suffer from excessive sweating) and the fact that patients can, and should, find help. Such articles appeared in the CanWest New Service, The Gazette (in Montreal), The Record (in Sherbrooke), The StarPhoenix (in Saskatoon), The Ottawa Citizen, National Post, The Edmonton Journal, The Vancouver Province, The Leader-Post (in Regina), and The Standard (in St. Catharines - Niagara). Oh Canada!