axillary hyperhidrosis
excessive sweating in the arm pits

B-Blockers
a class of drugs which act on the autonomic nervous system and the cardiovascular system

Botox®
a formulation of Botulinum Toxin Type A that blocks the neurotransmission from the sympathetic nerves in the skin to the sweat glands and reduces excessive sweating in the areas that are injected

Drionics®
This is a battery operated device which induces the same effects as tap water iontophoresis, and can improve palmar or plantar hyperhidrosis in mild cases. In patients with severe symptoms the results may be disappointing.

Drysol
a type of antiperspirant which can be applied to the hands and axillae for relief of hyperhidrosis

endoscope
small telescope, thinner than a pencil, with a camera at its tip that allows seeing into the chest cavity

ETS
Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy

ganglion
a mass of nerve cells

harmonic scalpel
a specialized endoscopic instrument used to divide the sympathetic nerve when performing ETS. It eliminates the need for electrical current, and focuses the energy only at the contact site, reducing the risk of any trauma to surrounding tissue

hyperhidrosis
excessive sweating

palmar hyperhidrosis
excessive sweating of the palms

plantar hyperhidrosis
excessive sweating in the soles of feet

tap water iontophoresis
This treatment interferes with the sweat glands just below the outer layer of skin. The effects are variable, and often short lived.