Why do we sweat so much? What are the causes of sweat?

We all sweat, but we all sweat differently. Some people sweat more than others – and there’s nothing wrong with that! Unless, of course, you have a condition like hyperhidrosis, for which you should seek treatment to better manage your excessive sweating.

We can sweat in all areas of our bodies because we have about two to five million sweat glands. On average, a person will sweat 1.5 gallons per day. If you’re extremely active, you can sweat up to four gallons per day.

There are several different factors that affect how much we sweat.

  • Exercise – Exercise produces sweat because your body temperature rises during your workout, and sweating is your body’s response to cool the body down. When exercising, people sweat differently depending on oxygen uptake, cardiovascular fitness and aerobic endurance.
  • Genetics – The way you sweat can just be genetics. Your parents or siblings may have similar sweating patterns. Hyperhidrosis is a genetic condition.
  • Weight – The heavier you are, the more you will sweat. People with excess weight feel hotter and it can take longer to cool the body down than for a slimmer person.
  • Sweat gland placement – If you’re prone to sweating in a certain area, you may have a higher number of sweat glands there.
  • Gender – Men usually have more active sweat glands than women.

Sweating is a part of life and there are plenty of daily steps you can take to manage it –  antiperspirants (OTC and prescription), medications, surgery, Botox injections, and more.

Schedule an Appointment with a Hyperhidrosis Physician and Surgeon

If you’re concerned about the amount you sweat, talk to a doctor. A doctor can evaluate your symptoms and examine your body to determine if you have hyperhidrosis. You and your doctor can then come up with a treatment plan that will help you manage your sweat, so you can go about your daily activities without worrying about sweaty palms or armpit stains on your clothing.

Looking for a hyperhidrosis doctor? Dr. Peter Mikhail is a Tampa hyperhidrosis physician and surgeon with offices in Tampa and New Port Richey, Florida. To book a consult, click our Tampa hyperhidrosis treatment contact page or call 727-312-4844.

Does armpit hair effect how much I sweat?

If you have armpit hair and you sweat a lot, you’ve probably wondered if your hair affects the amount that you sweat. Does the hair make you sweat more? Should I shave my armpits? No, don’t shave your armpits, unless you want! Shaving your armpits will not make you sweat less; however, shaving (or trimming) can help make an antiperspirant more effective. By having little to no hair, you can also help reduce the sweat stains on your clothing.

Your armpits expel sweat for several reasons: stress, anxiety, nervousness, and to cool you down when your body temperature gets high. Your body will produce sweat whether you have armpit hair or not. The amount you sweat depends on the eccrine and apocrine sweat glands in your armpits. These two types of glands produce sweat depending on your exertion and stress levels, so the amount of hair has no effect on the production of sweat.

Armpit hair can make the sweat stains on your clothes worse. Why? Your armpit hair holds moisture more than your skin. Also, the hair keeps the antiperspirant from being absorbed into the skin, so you likely will sweat more. With armpit hair, your underarms probably will get wetter and armpit stains will appear more quickly than if you trimmed or shaved the hair off.

Whether you shave or not, remember to fully dry your armpit area before applying antiperspirant. A wet armpit can block the aluminum in the antiperspirant from being absorbed into the sweat glands.

If you like your armpit hair, you don’t have to shave your armpit hair to prevent sweaty armpits. Instead, try trimming the hair. By trimming the hair, you will help the antiperspirant absorb better into the skin.

Having a hard time managing your sweat? You will sweat whether you’re shaved or not. If you have hyperhidrosis, this sweat is excessive and can disrupt your daily life. If nothing you do helps your sweat, it may be time to contact a doctor.

Dr. Peter Mikhail is a Tampa hyperhidrosis physician and surgeon with offices in Tampa and New Port Richey, Florida. Dr. Mikhail will look at your symptoms to determine if you have hyperhidrosis and will discuss the best treatment plan for you. To book a consult, click our Tampa hyperhidrosis treatment contact page or call 727-312-4844.

Side effects that may occur from lung cancer surgery

If you are a lung cancer patient, there’s a chance lung cancer surgery is possible for you, and it could save your life. If you are a candidate for lung cancer surgery, it is in your best interest to get the procedure. However, every surgery has its risks, but living with lung cancer also has its risks because it is a deadly disease. Millions of people die each year from lung cancer.

Following are a few side effects a patient may or may not experience after lung cancer surgery:

  • Coughing may be difficult.
  • The chest may be sore.
  • You may develop a chest infection.
  • You may feel shortness of breath.
  • You may feel pain/burning/numbness/tingling in the upper back/shoulder/under breast/and abdomen.
  • Your skin may be hypersensitive.
  • You may experience constipation from pain medication.
  • You may be extra tired.

Many of these side effects are entirely normal, while some are more concerning. Before your surgery, your doctor will discuss with you the possible side effects, so you will have a general idea of what to expect. However, if you are experiencing any pain, it is a good idea to mention it to your doctor to make sure what you’re experiencing is “normal”. The doctor will see you if he/she is concerned about your side effects.

Your doctor will help you through the post-op healing process.

Book an Appointment with a Tampa Robotic Lung Surgeon

Surgery can be scary, but lung cancer is scarier. Robotic lung surgery is minimally-invasive surgery, so your recovery time will be less. If you are a good candidate, robotic lung cancer surgery may be your best option to being cancer free.

Dr. Peter Mikhail is a robotic lung specialist and surgeon who performs robotic lung surgery to treat lung cancer. To learn more about robotic lung surgery, click Dr. Mikhail’s Tampa Robotic Lung Surgery page or call his office at 727-312-4844 to book an appointment or for more information. Dr. Mikhail has offices in Tampa and New Port Richey, Florida.

The various types of lung cancer

There are three different types of lung cancer: Non-small cell lung cancer, small cell lung cancer and large cell lung cancer. The type of lung cancer you have depends on the area of lung affected and its appearance.

In this article, we share with you a little information about the different kinds of lung cancer.

Non-small Cell Lung Carcinoma

Most lung cancers (80 percent) are non-small cell cancers. There are three subtypes of non-small cell lung cancer. Adenocarcinoma usually occurs in the outer glands of the lungs. It is the most common non-small cell cancer. It is often seen in women and non-smokers. Squamous cancer occurs in the bronchial tube linings. The lungs are often inflamed with this type of cancer. This type of cancer is found often in men. Bronchioalveolar cancer develops close to the air sacs but it is rare.

Small Cell Carcinoma
This type of cancer is the most aggressive form of lung cancer. It has small cancer cells which grow quickly and can affect several body parts. Only 20 percent of lung cancer patients have this type of cancer. Almost all small cell cancers are connected to smoking.

Large Cell Carcinoma
With large cell carcinoma, the cancer cells develop in the outer edges of the lungs. Cancer grows fast with this type of cancer. It can be removed with chemotherapy or by radiation therapy.

Schedule an Appointment for Robotic Lung Surgery in Tampa

If you have lung cancer, find out if it can be removed with minimally-invasive robotic surgery. Different stages and types of cancer have different treatment options.

Looking for a lung surgeon? Dr. Peter Mikhail is a robotic lung specialist and surgeon who performs robotic lung surgery to treat lung cancer patients. He will determine if you are a good candidate for this type of lung cancer surgery. To learn more about robotic lung surgery, click Dr. Mikhail’s Tampa Robotic Lung Surgery page or call his office at 727-312-4844 to book an appointment or for more information. Dr. Mikhail has offices in Tampa and New Port Richey, Florida.

 

Non-invasive cardiology to prevent scarring

When it comes to heart surgery of any kind many people are concerned that it will leave a visible scar. At Tampa Cardiovascular Associates we use a branch of interventional cardiology which focuses on specialized catheter-based forms of treatment.

The benefits are not only a lack of a visible outer scar but also far less pain accompanied by shortened recovery times. Unlike traditional surgery, a general anesthetic is not required so you do not have to deal with the potential side effects of going under. Most patients are medically sedated and a local anesthetic used with great success. Though the treatment depends on the patient, this minimally invasive form is ideal for many.

Interventional Cardiology is used in the treatment of coronary artery disease. Atherosclerosis, which is a hardening or clogging of the arteries with built-up cholesterol, can have a negative effect on not only the heart but also the brain, legs, and kidneys. A thorough evaluation and patient history are taken before we diagnose your condition.

The main treatments offered are known as Coronary Angioplasty and Coronary Stenting. During the procedure, a small inflated balloon inside the clogged artery widens the vessel. This improves blood flow. The balloon is withdrawn and the stent is left in place to hold the space.

Many patients report near immediate relief of symptoms and have been happy with the results.

Experience Counts

When trusting a Cardiologist to operate on your heart it is important to make sure your surgeon has the special expertise and credentials. The doctors at Tampa Cardiovascular Associates have the experience and knowledge you need for the very best outcome.

If you are in the Tampa Bay, Florida area and looking for an experienced Cardiology staff we invite you to take a moment and peruse our staff of physicians. Give us a call to schedule an appointment by calling (813) 975-2800. www.tampacardio.com.

How to prevent sudden cardiac arrest, and potentially save a life

Age isn’t always a deciding factor in who may or may not have an SCA or heart attack. Often very athletic younger men and women, seemingly out of the blue and in “perfect” health, can have an episode of SCA (Sudden Cardiac Arrest).

Years back there was a 17-year-old high school tennis team captain that passed away from an SCA. While instances like this are very rare, they are not unheard of. If you are young and seemingly healthy, there would generally be no reason you would have been to visit a cardiologist. The cause is usually a chronic heart condition that the person isn’t made aware of. That is until it happens and then its too late.

An SCA is different from a heart attack. The terms are often interchangeably used.

How they differ:

Heart Attack: During a heart attack the heart’s blood supply is blocked or reduced, causing injury to the heart muscle, and can result in death. The person is generally awake and can feel and report on symptoms of what they are experiencing.

SCA: In an SCA the heart ceases beating and blood flow through the body is completely stopped. In an SCA consciousness is lost after only a gasp or two for breath, and possibly a seizure. SCA is a leading cause of death among adults over 40. Over 1,000 incidents are reported nationwide each day. You must receive CPR within 5 minutes or death is certain.

It is not possible to predict when and where SCA could occur. Nor is it possible to predict in whom it may occur. The best option in preventing this type of event from happening is to maintain a heart-healthy lifestyle.

  • Eat a healthy and well-balanced diet
  • Be physically active and exercise regularly
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Do not smoke
  • Do not drink alcohol in excess
  • Do not use recreational drugs including stimulants and caffeine
  • Panic and anxiety are also a potential cause so if you have panic attacks do everything you can to get them under control
  • A sudden blow to the chest can also disrupt the hearts rhythm

Those with pre-existing conditions should also beware and check in with their physicians regularly. Predispositions include:

  • Those with a history of previous heart attacks
  • Those with a heart valve or rhythm disorders
  • Those who have fainting spells
  • Those with a history of heart failure
  • Those with coronary disease

For many, SCA is the first indication that a heart condition exists. The problem is that only 10% who experience SCA will live through it.

If you are age 40 and up and have any pre-existing heart conditions or a family history of heart disease please check in with your physician at Tampa Cardio. While prediction is impossible, prevention is key. The physicians at Tampa Cardio are dedicated to keeping your heart healthy through evaluation, heart-healthy lifestyle tips, and treatment options that may be right for you.

Give the office a call today at (813) 975-2800 or visit www.tampacardio.com to learn more.

Compression Therapy for Veins

Tampa cardiovascular associates, cardiovascular, cardiologist, dr sawar, Tampa cardiologists, felize, Cardiologist near me, dr cruz Tampa, Tampa cardiology, Tampa cardiologist, tampa heart and vascular associates, sad sawar, dr Elizabeth healy, cardiology Tampa, cardiologist in Tampa, cardiologist Wesley chapel, vein doctor tampa, vein specialist tampa, veins tampa, tampa vein clinic, tampa vein center

Tampa cardiovascular associates, cardiovascular, cardiologist, dr sawar, Tampa cardiologists, felize, Cardiologist near me, dr cruz Tampa, Tampa cardiology, Tampa cardiologist, tampa heart and vascular associates, sad sawar, dr Elizabeth healy, cardiology Tampa, cardiologist in Tampa, cardiologist Wesley chapel, vein doctor tampa, vein specialist tampa, veins tampa, tampa vein clinic, tampa vein centerVaricose veins can be an uncomfortable nuisance. Living with venous insufficiency or varicose veins you often experience a decrease in your normally active lifestyle due to pain. These conditions can cause a wide range of symptoms that make your legs the new unwanted focus.

Symptoms may include but are not limited to:

  • Visible veins that become dark reddish purple-blue in color and they can become raised or twisted
  • Redness
  • Swelling (edema)
  • Legs may ache
  • Legs may feel heavy
  • Legs may become painful
  • Itching
  • Ulcers may develop
  • Restless Leg Syndrome

Home recommendations: One of the most commonly used home remedies that have been shown to decrease the severity of symptoms is the use of compression.

How it works:

Compression assists the body by reinforcing the vein walls. This is very helpful with veins that are weakened or damaged wall. Proper pressure can be achieved by utilizing compression bandages as a wrap, compression socks (which only cover the bottom half of the leg) or compression hose which will encompass the entire length of the leg.

Compression wear such as hosiery has been shown to help improve blood flow as well as reduce swelling. They may also help reduce the formation of blood clots. Compression garments should only be worn while you are up and mobile, usually in 8 hour time periods. Be very careful lounging around in them or laying down at night as too much compression can actually be harmful as it may cut off circulation further.

Compression hose and socks should fit snuggly but comfortably. They are made in a variety of compressions from mild to tight. The higher the number, the firmer the fit. If you feel like you are starting to lose circulation remove them. 

At Tampa Cardiovascular Associates Vein Clinic they often recommend patients try compression as an at home addition to other treatments offered.

Want to learn more? They would love to talk with you and see how they can help benefit your vein health. If you are in the Tampa, Florida area give them a call at (813) 975-2800 or visitwww.tampacardio.com online to learn more about the practice and their physicians.

Tooth Grinding & Chiropractic

bruxism-fort-myers-chiropractic

bruxism-fort-myers-chiropracticWaking up with a painful jaw and wondering why?
You might be experiencing bruxism.

You won’t realize you are even doing it. It is subconscious tension causing your jaw to clench together and even create a grinding motion wearing away at your teeth. It can, over time, cause undue wear and tear on your teeth as well as potential misalignments on your jaw.

Bruxism is diagnosed by looking visually at the wear of teeth, inside mouth bite marks, reports of tooth grinding noises during sleep, and a feeling of jaw exhaustion and tiredness.

Night time teeth grinding even sometimes wakes you up during the night needing an anti-inflammatory or ice application. An ice pack can help sooth the discomfort.

Surprisingly spinal subluxations can cause bruxism. Once corrected through chiropractic treatment and adjustments, the grinding stops.

Some possible solutions are to wear a dental guard at night, take turmeric daily (a natural anti-inflammatory), and if necessary, keep an ice pack in the freezer. While these all help, the real cause can stem from stress and or a misaligned set of teeth or your jaw being slightly off.

If jaw or tooth pain is keeping you up at night your first stop may be your dentist to check to make sure your teeth are healthy but we also highly recommend a visit your chiropractor for an exam and adjustment. Living with jaw pain can be unbearable. There is no reason to go on day to day like that.

  • Take Turmeric daily
  • Wear a mouth guard at night
  • Reduce your stress levels
  • Use an ice pack to reduce inflammation
  • Visit your dentist to rule out tooth issues
  • Take Nsaid anti-inflammatories only when necessary
  • Visit your chiropractor and get the root cause adjusted

Bruxism is not the same as TMJ.

TMJ disorder is a condition which involves pain and improper function of the muscles and joints that attach the lower jaw to the skull. It can be helped through chiropractic treatment as well, but requires a much longer course of treatment and is more difficult to correct.

Dr. Jason B. Kaster, a chiropractor in Fort Myers can help you and your family achieve their optimal health.

       1-239-332-2555

Drinking Excessively Can Worsen Vein Issues

alcohol and varicose veins tampa safety harbor

alcohol and varicose veins tampa safety harborWe have all seen it in the faces of serious hardcore lifetime drinkers. The broken capillaries and swelling nasal features, its a telltale sign of the consumption of too much alcohol over time. This excessive consumption can have a negative effect on your entire circulatory system.

Many people are predisposed to alcoholism due to family history and genetics.

If you know that risk runs in your family, your best option is to avoid it altogether. Other risk factors for vein disease besides alcohol can include poor diet, sedentary activity level, and holding on to extra weight especially in the midsection.

All of these factors can be addressed and helped through planning with your physician and lifestyle change. When people think diet they look at the food they are consuming and sometimes fail to look at what they are drinking as well. Alcohol should be an occasional indulgence at best when it comes to your health. Alcohol is actually poison. Your body just is able to filter it in small quantities via the kidneys and liver.

As varicose veins are a defective circulatory condition, and that alcohol affects blood circulation it should be no surprise that the two are interrelated.

The blood flowing through the legs pumps back up to the heart through a series of one-way valves that open in the direction of the heart and close immediately after the blood has passed through.  Ideally preventing any backflow of blood from occurring. When leg vein valves are damaged or aged they are unable to prevent an unhealthy backflow of blood, causing pressure to build up in the leg veins and resulting in the swollen, bulging, and enlarged appearance associated with varicose veins.

When alcohol is consumed it increases the heart rate and blood pressure. This forces the veins to work harder. It has a direct effect on the liver which is responsible for filtering blood. When the liver is damaged it becomes unable to properly filter the blood of waste and toxins. The result is a thickening of the blood making it even harder for those already delicate veins to do their job and varicose veins a far more likely outcome.

Dr. Zuzga of the West Florida Vein Center is certainly not going to advise you that you should never drink alcohol even socially, he will inform you that it would be wise to refrain from or limit alcoholic beverages if varicose veins are already present or if you have other risk factors for vein disease.

If you are in the Tampa, Florida or Safety Harbor Area of Tampa Bay give the office of West Florida Vein Center a call to schedule a consultation.  (727) 712-3233 or www.westfloridaveincenter.com.

Texting May Cause You Health Issues Down The Road

texting fort myers dr kaster

texting fort myers dr kasterTexting has made communication an addiction.

 

Many of us are constantly online in one form or another, via cell phone, tablet, iPad, Kindle, laptop or even a desktop computer.  We are virtually always reachable. Gone are the days of a phone ringing busy or missing someone because they aren’t home.

Texting may make life seem faster and more connected, but it is also leading to health issues for kids and adults. This includes neck pain, finger pain, hand pain, and even back pain.

The older generation did not grow up with cell phones, tablets, or for many even computers. That meant that we spent more time outdoors playing and getting exercise. Our bodies had the proper time to develop good posture without looking down all the time with the muscles in our hands constantly in motion.

It may seem like advancement, but children today do not have that luxury of freedom. They will never know the feeling of biking across town without their parents being able to call or track them. They aren’t learning trust or responsibility and they are poising themselves in structurally odd positions for hours on end. This has a major effect on the way the body forms.

Over  200 billion text messages are sent per month in the USA alone. The average time on a smartphone per day is 80 minutes. This time only includes surfing the web and messaging it does not consider in phone calls.

75% of teenagers now have their own smartphone, sending and responding to well over 100 texts per day. Back pain can begin from bad form when seated as well as the weight of loading backpacks with multiple devices on top of books. Laptops, iPads, cell phones, and gaming devices are all common.

If you are a heavy user of technology – take a break!

  • Raise your screen to eye level rather than looking down and hunching
  • Stretch your hands and fingers periodically and take breaks
  • If you have a long email to write do it on a desktop rather than on your phone
  • Even if you work on a desk stop stand up hourly and stretch and walk around
  • Lighten your load as much as possible leaving non-needed gadgets at home for the day

Regular chiropractic adjustments can help with text related aches and pains.

Call the office of Dr. Jason Kaster, D.C. if you are in the Southwest Florida area.

Nutritionist | Chiropractor in Ft Myers, FL

Fort Myers Chiropractor, Dr. Jason B. KasterChiropractic care is a safe, alternative treatment when applied appropriately. Chiropractic treatments help in dealing with the symptoms of many conditions. Add to that, nutritional recommendations that can help your body heal itself. Are you going to wait for your symptoms to be felt, or are you going to prevent it as soon as possible?