Adiaphoresis

Adiaphoresis
Synonyms	N/A
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Absence of sweating
Complications	Hyperthermia, heat stroke
Onset	Varies
Duration	Chronic
Types	N/A
Causes	Neurological disorders, skin conditions, medications
Risks	Heat intolerance
Diagnosis	N/A
Differential diagnosis	N/A
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Address underlying cause, cooling measures
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Varies depending on cause
Frequency	N/A
Deaths	N/A

Adiaphoresis is a medical condition characterized by the absence or significant reduction of sweating. Sweating, or perspiration, is a critical physiological process that helps regulate body temperature. The inability to sweat can lead to hyperthermia and other heat-related illnesses.

Pathophysiology

Sweating is controlled by the autonomic nervous system, specifically the sympathetic nervous system. The eccrine sweat glands, which are distributed throughout the body, are primarily responsible for thermoregulatory sweating. In adiaphoresis, there is a disruption in the normal function of these sweat glands or the neural pathways that stimulate them.

Causes

Adiaphoresis can result from a variety of causes, including:

• Neurological disorders: Conditions such as autonomic neuropathy, multiple system atrophy, and Parkinson's disease can impair the neural pathways involved in sweating.
• Skin conditions: Diseases like scleroderma and ichthyosis can affect the skin's ability to sweat.
• Medications: Certain drugs, including anticholinergics and some antidepressants, can reduce sweating as a side effect.
• Genetic disorders: Rare genetic conditions such as congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA) can lead to adiaphoresis.

Clinical Presentation

Patients with adiaphoresis may present with:

• Heat intolerance: Difficulty coping with warm environments due to impaired thermoregulation.
• Dry skin: Lack of moisture on the skin surface.
• Hyperthermia: Elevated body temperature, especially during physical exertion or in hot climates.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of adiaphoresis involves:

• Clinical history: Detailed patient history to identify potential causes and symptoms.
• Physical examination: Assessment of skin condition and sweat gland function.
• Sweat tests: Tests such as the thermoregulatory sweat test or quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test (QSART) to evaluate sweat production.
• Neurological evaluation: To identify any underlying neurological disorders.

Management

Management of adiaphoresis focuses on addressing the underlying cause and preventing complications:

• Treat underlying conditions: Managing diseases or adjusting medications that contribute to adiaphoresis.
• Cooling measures: Use of fans, air conditioning, and cooling vests to help regulate body temperature.
• Hydration: Ensuring adequate fluid intake to prevent dehydration.

Prognosis

The prognosis for individuals with adiaphoresis varies depending on the underlying cause. In cases where the condition is due to a reversible cause, such as medication side effects, prognosis is generally good with appropriate management. However, in chronic neurological conditions, the prognosis may be more guarded.

See also

• Anhidrosis
• Hyperhidrosis
• Thermoregulation

External links

• DermNet NZ - Anhidrosis