No one wanted to hold Rachel's hand.
A petite 8-year-old with blond hair and big blue eyes, Rachel Walther had hands that were constantly wet and cold. Her hands and feet would sweat. She wore gloves at piano lessons to keep the keys dry. She kept a towel in her desk at school to wipe off her papers. Her tennis racket slipped during lessons because of her perspiration. But what made her cry was that no one wanted to hold her hand. Rachel has hyperhidrosis, a condition that causes excessive sweating.
Her mother, Sarah Walther, knew something was not right. "At age2, I noticed that her socks would be soaking wet and her hands would be sweaty," Sarah recalls. When Rachel was 3 years old, her mother knew the sweaty hands and feet were abnormal, but their pediatrician said she would outgrow it.
"Then I saw a '20/20' special on it and, boy, did I bawl. I thought, 'That's my girl, that's my daughter,'" Sarah says. At the time, she did not hear the name, hyperhidrosis, and it was several years later before Sarah found a diagnosis for Rachel.
Hyperhidrosis affects 0.6 percent to 1 percent of the population, or about 6,000-10,000 people in San Antonio. It is a hereditary condition caused by an overactive sympathetic nervous system. Symptoms include extreme sweating of the hands, underarm area, face, scalp, or feet. It is associated with Raynaud's Syndrome (cold hands that often change colors because of hypersensitivity to temperature change), facial blushing and Reflex Sympthetic Dystrophy, pain of the hands and arms.
Hyperhidrosis causes more than the physical discomfort. With time, it becomes an emotional issue. After seeing the news special, Sarah and her husband, Larry, knew their daughter would be in for a tough time as she got older. Despite not having a diagnosis, they still prayed for a treatment. The first treatment, Drysol, a topical antiperspirant used by athletes, did not work.
In the fall of 2000, Sarah asked her prayer group for help. Amazingly enough, a member of the group had just heard a story about hyperhidrosis. Rachel's condition now had a name and a possible treatment. Sarah took the 800 number and put it on her bulletin board. The day Rachel came home from school in tears because no one wanted to hold her hand, Sarah called. "I had no idea the office was in San Antonio," she says.
Innovative Treatment
Dr. David Nielson is a successful cardio-thoracic surgeon who specializes in endoscopic lung therapy on adults and children. But what Nielson is fast becoming known for is his innovative treatment for patients with hyperhidrosis. Micro-endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy, created by Nielson, is the least invasive surgery for people suffering from hyperhidrosis. This procedure has the quickest recovery time and has a 99 percent improvement rate for those suffering from excessive sweating of the hands and almost equally as high a success rate for those suffering from underarm sweating, facial blushing, Raynaud's Syndrome and RSD.
Nielson became involved with the treatment for hyperhidrosis in the late 1980's while at Temple University Medical School. At that time, treatment of hyperactive sympathetic nerve dysfunction was very invasive. It involved making a single large incision or four 1/2-inch to 1-inch incisions in the chest, spreading the ribs, severing the nerve and several painful days in the hospital. As technology allowed, Nielson has continuously improved his endoscopic techniques of his heart and lung surgeries, which he used to create the ETS procedure, by making smaller and fewer incisions.
During the procedure, Nielson makes a single incision, one-twelfth on an inch per side, under each arm. Nielson inserts a 2 mm scope, camera and micro scissors into the incision. Nielson compares the size of his instruments to angel hair pasta. Once the sympathetic nerve is identified, he severs it, which instantly improves the excessive sweating. The procedure takes 30 minutes. The patient is able to leave two to four hours after the procedure.
Rachel is the youngest patient and smallest to have the procedure done. His patients now range from 8 to 75 years old.
Emotional Issues
"When I met Rachel for the first time, I noticed the profound sadness and the distress it was for her at this young age," Nielson says. "Rachel told me just how much it affected her by the look on her face."
When asked about her sweating, Rachel would become very annoyed. "Every time I'd start to sweat, I'd get so mad. I'd feel like screaming my head off," Rachel says.
Many people are misdiagnosed. Dermatologists recommend botox injections into the hands or Drysol as a treatment. Some patients are told to simply deal with the problem. Patients, especially young patients, are told it is related to puberty. Other patients are told the sweating is a panic attack and are prescribed anti-depressants.
Patients suffering from hyperhidrosis - from teens wanting to date but won't due to sweaty hands to adults choosing a career - face a lifetime of emotional problems, Nielson explains.
"I can recount stories of patients who have been excluded by classmates," Nielson says, while detailing the emotional pain that hyperhidrosis can cause. Hyperhidrosis affected the lives of 17-year-old Katie Stevens, a senior at MacArthur High School, and 19-year-old Megan Kolenda, a freshman at San Antonio College.
"I felt separated from the others," Stevens says. "I was really embarrassed because my hands were so sweaty and I didn't know what was wrong with me."
Kolenda agreed with Stevens: "I felt different, and I was always shy. I worried about meeting people or getting my paper wet in school." Although they have never met, Kolenda and Stevens used the same techniques to cover up their sweating. They always wore denim pants because it absorbs the sweat. They were able to wipe their hands on their jeans. Both carried a sweater even in the hottest months, and wore only white or dark colors so that the sweat would not show under their arms.
"I saw the reaction on people's face when I would shake their hands and they would have to wipe their hands off," Stevens says. Kolenda says she used stories to cover her sweating by saying she had "just washed her hands."
"Dr. Nielson was so nice and comforting," Stevens says. "He shook my hand then took my hand and rubbed it. He was not cringing or anything."
Kolenda had the surgery in August 2000 and Stevens had the surgery in February 2001. Both report success. As for Rachel, who two days before the surgery came home crying again, surgery was a success also.
Nielson had a difficult time describing his own happiness for Rachel. "It was most gratifying to see her in post-op with her mom and dad, fully awake and having the biggest smile because her hands were dry and warm," Nielson says. "She was ecstatic at the change. I can't even describe the happiness on her face."
Sarah and Larry Walther are relieved that Rachel does not have to endure a lifetime of emotional pain. "I feel like God was with us from the beginning," Sarah points out. "It is a euphoric feeling now that it is done. There is no other way to describe it."
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Teen Regains Confidence After Surgery for Sweating Disorder
Trukee, California - Teachers told Margaret Keckly that she was disorganized. School papers were a mess. Smudged and wrinkled, teachers thought that Margaret just didn't care. Her classmates wouldn't shake her hands or hold her hands in prayer group. Margaret's hands were always wet with perspiration.
Margaret has hyperhidrosis, a condition that causes the hands and feet to sweat uncontrollably.
“ I felt like a total freak,” Margaret said. “Everyone would make fun of me and no one wanted to give me high five’s during basketball.”
For years, Margaret and her parents, Nancy and Paul Keckly searched for a diagnosis and hopefully a solution. Pediatricians and family doctors in Reno, NV told the family that Margaret held her hands in odd positions causing her to sweat or they gave her cortisone creams to stop the sweating. Finally two years ago, a nurse practitioner diagnosed Margaret’s condition as hyperhidrosis.
Hyperhidrosis is a hereditary condition caused by an overactive sympathetic nervous system affecting over 7.8 million Americans. Symptoms include extreme sweating of the hands, underarm area, face, scalp or feet. It is associated with Raynaud's Syndrome (cold hands that often change colors because of hypersensitivity to temperature change), facial blushing and Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, pain of the hands and arms. What many people do not know is that there is a treatment for hyperhidrosis.
After searching the Internet for answers, the Keckly's found several options including Botox injections into the hands, prescription medicines, and Dr. David Nielson, a cardio-thoracic surgeon based in San Antonio.
“ I couldn’t see myself getting shots in my hands every 6 months,” Margaret said.
Dr. Nielson revolutionized the Micro-Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy procedure. Micro ETS is the least invasive surgery for people suffering from hyperhidrosis. This procedure has a quick recovery time and has a 99 percent success rate for those suffering from palmer hyperhidrosis and an 85- to 90 percent improvement rate for those suffering from Raynaud's Syndrome.
Using his unique ETS method, Dr. Nielson makes a 1/12th-inch incision under each arm and works inside the body using micro surgical instruments and a fiber optic camera to precisely divide the sympathetic nerve. Once the sympathetic nerve is identified, he severs it to instantly improve the excessive sweating. The procedure takes 30 minutes. The patient is able to leave two to four hours after the procedure. Patients travel from all over the world to meet Nielson and undergo the procedure. Surgery is covered under most health insurance.
“ I can recount many stories of patients who have suffered from Hyperhidrosis,” Dr. Nielson said. “It is extremely gratifying to watch a patient come out of the surgery and be amazed that their hands are dry.”
For Margaret and her parents, this was their answer to twelve years of suffering, emotionally and physically. They traveled to San Antonio and Margaret underwent the procedure. Later that day, her parents toured San Antonio constantly holding Margaret’s hands.
“ I kept asking them to feel my hands,” Margaret said. “I definitely have a new confidence.”
For more information on Hyperhidrosis call 1-877-VERY DRY (Toll Free)
Margaret has hyperhidrosis, a condition that causes the hands and feet to sweat uncontrollably.
“ I felt like a total freak,” Margaret said. “Everyone would make fun of me and no one wanted to give me high five’s during basketball.”
For years, Margaret and her parents, Nancy and Paul Keckly searched for a diagnosis and hopefully a solution. Pediatricians and family doctors in Reno, NV told the family that Margaret held her hands in odd positions causing her to sweat or they gave her cortisone creams to stop the sweating. Finally two years ago, a nurse practitioner diagnosed Margaret’s condition as hyperhidrosis.
Hyperhidrosis is a hereditary condition caused by an overactive sympathetic nervous system affecting over 7.8 million Americans. Symptoms include extreme sweating of the hands, underarm area, face, scalp or feet. It is associated with Raynaud's Syndrome (cold hands that often change colors because of hypersensitivity to temperature change), facial blushing and Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, pain of the hands and arms. What many people do not know is that there is a treatment for hyperhidrosis.
After searching the Internet for answers, the Keckly's found several options including Botox injections into the hands, prescription medicines, and Dr. David Nielson, a cardio-thoracic surgeon based in San Antonio.
“ I couldn’t see myself getting shots in my hands every 6 months,” Margaret said.
Dr. Nielson revolutionized the Micro-Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy procedure. Micro ETS is the least invasive surgery for people suffering from hyperhidrosis. This procedure has a quick recovery time and has a 99 percent success rate for those suffering from palmer hyperhidrosis and an 85- to 90 percent improvement rate for those suffering from Raynaud's Syndrome.
Using his unique ETS method, Dr. Nielson makes a 1/12th-inch incision under each arm and works inside the body using micro surgical instruments and a fiber optic camera to precisely divide the sympathetic nerve. Once the sympathetic nerve is identified, he severs it to instantly improve the excessive sweating. The procedure takes 30 minutes. The patient is able to leave two to four hours after the procedure. Patients travel from all over the world to meet Nielson and undergo the procedure. Surgery is covered under most health insurance.
“ I can recount many stories of patients who have suffered from Hyperhidrosis,” Dr. Nielson said. “It is extremely gratifying to watch a patient come out of the surgery and be amazed that their hands are dry.”
For Margaret and her parents, this was their answer to twelve years of suffering, emotionally and physically. They traveled to San Antonio and Margaret underwent the procedure. Later that day, her parents toured San Antonio constantly holding Margaret’s hands.
“ I kept asking them to feel my hands,” Margaret said. “I definitely have a new confidence.”
For more information on Hyperhidrosis call 1-877-VERY DRY (Toll Free)
Revolutionary New Surgery Performed in San Antonio, Texas
SAN ANTONIO, TX - San Antonio physicians, Dr. David Nielson and Dr. Donald Hilton, combined resources on Friday to perform a revolutionary new sympathectomy procedure never done before in the United States and possibly the world.
Dr. David Nielson, re-known cardio-thoracic surgeon and Dr. Donald Hilton, a well-known neurosurgeon collaborated on the yet unnamed procedure using Nielson’s Micro Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy technique and Hilton’s minimally invasive microdiscectomy, to help treat a patient with Hyperhidrosis, excessive sweating of the hands, face, underarms and feet.
The patient who had pleurodisis, due to a previous procedure, was not a candidate for the relatively simple Micro ETS procedure. Pleurodisis is adhesion of the lung to the chest wall making it impossible to undergo Nielson’s procedure.
The new sympathetic procedure uses the dorsal approach with a 1/2-inch incision. A dilator, specialized tubing used in Hilton’s microsurgery, is then inserted into the incision allowing the surgeon to remove the tip of the rib head, locate and sever the sympathetic nerve to instantly improve the excessive sweating. The patient was able to leave the hospital that afternoon with successful results.
Previously, a dorsal sympathectomy included a 5-inch incision, removal of the rib and a stay in the ICU as well as quite a bit of pain during the recovery period.
Hilton and Nielson were ecstatic at their new discovery.
“It was extremely gratifying to see a patient with lung adhesion be able to go through a sympathectomy with a minimally invasive procedure,” Nielson said. “This has never been done before.”
For more information please go to our website; www.hyperhidrosis-usa.com
Dr. David Nielson, re-known cardio-thoracic surgeon and Dr. Donald Hilton, a well-known neurosurgeon collaborated on the yet unnamed procedure using Nielson’s Micro Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy technique and Hilton’s minimally invasive microdiscectomy, to help treat a patient with Hyperhidrosis, excessive sweating of the hands, face, underarms and feet.
The patient who had pleurodisis, due to a previous procedure, was not a candidate for the relatively simple Micro ETS procedure. Pleurodisis is adhesion of the lung to the chest wall making it impossible to undergo Nielson’s procedure.
The new sympathetic procedure uses the dorsal approach with a 1/2-inch incision. A dilator, specialized tubing used in Hilton’s microsurgery, is then inserted into the incision allowing the surgeon to remove the tip of the rib head, locate and sever the sympathetic nerve to instantly improve the excessive sweating. The patient was able to leave the hospital that afternoon with successful results.
Previously, a dorsal sympathectomy included a 5-inch incision, removal of the rib and a stay in the ICU as well as quite a bit of pain during the recovery period.
Hilton and Nielson were ecstatic at their new discovery.
“It was extremely gratifying to see a patient with lung adhesion be able to go through a sympathectomy with a minimally invasive procedure,” Nielson said. “This has never been done before.”
For more information please go to our website; www.hyperhidrosis-usa.com
Patient Finds Miracle Surgery 1,200 Miles from Home
Waterville, Iowa - “You want to feel my hands?” Toni Kolsrud, 55, and a resident of Waterville, Iowa, offers this question to everyone she sees. For the past 29 years, Kolsrud has been affected by Raynaud’s Syndrome, a condition that causes certain areas of the body such as hands and feet to feel numb and cool. Kolsrud’s hands felt like ice.
“It felt like frostbite,” Kolsrud said. “My fingers would tingle.”
Kolsrud did not even realize it was a problem. She thought her hands were just cold. Approximately six years ago she finally received a diagnosis for her cold hands. She also learned that her face was not red by nature; she was affected by facial blushing with hyperpyrexia. Her face would blush for no apparent reason. This also caused a tingling pain that can become extremely uncomfortable.
“ Prior to talking with Chris Peterson (physician’s assistant) the cold just bothered me. My hands would be very cold and turn white then red,” Kolsrud said.
While she had a diagnosis, she did not have a solution. Told to watch her diet and caffeine intake, Kolsrud imagined that there was no treatment for her cold hands. Many activities like sledding and playing in the snow were restricted do to the sensitivity in her hands.
Raynaud’s Syndrome, named after the French physician who discovered it, is more than having cold hands and feet. It affects mainly women although anyone can develop the condition. Triggers for the disease include the cold and stress. Symptoms depend on the frequency, duration and severity of the blood vessel spasms. The blood vessels in the fingers and toes go into vasospasm, which constricts the vessels therefor limiting the blood flow.
Over time the blood vessels may thicken slightly further limiting the blood flow. The skin may turn white due to lack of blood flow. After the spasms subside, the skin may turn red before returning to its normal color. Symptoms include color changes in the skin in response to the cold or stress, a numb or stinging pain upon warming or relief of stress. In the most severe cases, blood circulation to the fingers and toes could be permanently lost causing deformities or in worse case scenario, an amputation might be necessary.
The majority of the people living with Raynaud’s view it as a nuisance.
“ I tended to draw back when I would have to shake hands with others,” Kolsrud said. Her hands would be swollen and red. “It look like I’d been out in the snow.”
Kolsrud’s sister, Maureen Berryman a resident of San Antonio, Texas, read an article in the San Antonio Express-News about a little girl who had a new procedure called the Micro ETS. This procedure treated her sweating hands. Berryman knew this man could help her sister.
“ As soon as I read it, I thought I’ve got to let her know,” Berryman said. Berryman said that her sister’s condition had progressively gotten worse over the years and she knew the pain her sister dealt with on a daily basis.Dr. David Nielson
Dr. David Nielson is a cardio-thorasic surgeon who specializes in endoscopic lung therapy on adults and children. But what Dr. Nielson is fast becoming known for is his innovative treatment for patients with hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating of the hands and face), Raynaud’s Syndrome, facial blushing and RSD. These syndromes are all connected to a hyperactive sympathetic nerve dysfunction. Micro-endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy, created by Nielson, is the least invasive surgery for people suffering from any of these ailments. This procedure has the quickest recovery time and has a 99 percent success rate for those suffering from hyperhidrosis and an 85- to 90 percent improvement rate for those suffering from Raynaud’s Syndrome.
During the procedure, Dr. Nielson makes a single incision, one-twelfth of an inch per side, under each arm. Nielson inserts a 2mm scope, camera and micro scissors into the incision. Nielson compares the size of his instruments to angel hair pasta. Once Dr. Nielson identifies the sympathetic nerve, he severs it to instantly bring warmth to the hands and/or treat hyperhidrosis. The procedure takes 30 minutes. The patient is able to leave two to four hours after the procedure.
-more-San Antonio Bound
After doing more research and talking with Dr. Nielson’s staff, Kolsrud decided to travel to San Antonio, Texas. She found that patients from around the world travel to meet Dr. Nielson and undergo this unique procedure. Determined that this was the answer to her prayers, Kolsrud boarded the plane for Texas.
During the procedure, Nielson monitored the temperature of Kolsrud’s hands before, during and after the procedure. Dr. Nielson reported that Kolsrud’s hand temperature increased by 7 to 8 degrees by the end of surgery.
Kolsrud is so excited about the success of her surgery that she is telling anyone who will listen. She noticed immediately after surgery that her hands were warm. She credited Dr. Nielson and the staff for making her feel comforted before and after the surgery.
“ I truly knew this would work,” Kolsrud said. “I had no fear.”
For additional information on hyperhidrosis or the Micro ETS procedure, call (877) VERYDRY or visit www.hyperhidrosis-usa.com.
“It felt like frostbite,” Kolsrud said. “My fingers would tingle.”
Kolsrud did not even realize it was a problem. She thought her hands were just cold. Approximately six years ago she finally received a diagnosis for her cold hands. She also learned that her face was not red by nature; she was affected by facial blushing with hyperpyrexia. Her face would blush for no apparent reason. This also caused a tingling pain that can become extremely uncomfortable.
“ Prior to talking with Chris Peterson (physician’s assistant) the cold just bothered me. My hands would be very cold and turn white then red,” Kolsrud said.
While she had a diagnosis, she did not have a solution. Told to watch her diet and caffeine intake, Kolsrud imagined that there was no treatment for her cold hands. Many activities like sledding and playing in the snow were restricted do to the sensitivity in her hands.
Raynaud’s Syndrome, named after the French physician who discovered it, is more than having cold hands and feet. It affects mainly women although anyone can develop the condition. Triggers for the disease include the cold and stress. Symptoms depend on the frequency, duration and severity of the blood vessel spasms. The blood vessels in the fingers and toes go into vasospasm, which constricts the vessels therefor limiting the blood flow.
Over time the blood vessels may thicken slightly further limiting the blood flow. The skin may turn white due to lack of blood flow. After the spasms subside, the skin may turn red before returning to its normal color. Symptoms include color changes in the skin in response to the cold or stress, a numb or stinging pain upon warming or relief of stress. In the most severe cases, blood circulation to the fingers and toes could be permanently lost causing deformities or in worse case scenario, an amputation might be necessary.
The majority of the people living with Raynaud’s view it as a nuisance.
“ I tended to draw back when I would have to shake hands with others,” Kolsrud said. Her hands would be swollen and red. “It look like I’d been out in the snow.”
Kolsrud’s sister, Maureen Berryman a resident of San Antonio, Texas, read an article in the San Antonio Express-News about a little girl who had a new procedure called the Micro ETS. This procedure treated her sweating hands. Berryman knew this man could help her sister.
“ As soon as I read it, I thought I’ve got to let her know,” Berryman said. Berryman said that her sister’s condition had progressively gotten worse over the years and she knew the pain her sister dealt with on a daily basis.Dr. David Nielson
Dr. David Nielson is a cardio-thorasic surgeon who specializes in endoscopic lung therapy on adults and children. But what Dr. Nielson is fast becoming known for is his innovative treatment for patients with hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating of the hands and face), Raynaud’s Syndrome, facial blushing and RSD. These syndromes are all connected to a hyperactive sympathetic nerve dysfunction. Micro-endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy, created by Nielson, is the least invasive surgery for people suffering from any of these ailments. This procedure has the quickest recovery time and has a 99 percent success rate for those suffering from hyperhidrosis and an 85- to 90 percent improvement rate for those suffering from Raynaud’s Syndrome.
During the procedure, Dr. Nielson makes a single incision, one-twelfth of an inch per side, under each arm. Nielson inserts a 2mm scope, camera and micro scissors into the incision. Nielson compares the size of his instruments to angel hair pasta. Once Dr. Nielson identifies the sympathetic nerve, he severs it to instantly bring warmth to the hands and/or treat hyperhidrosis. The procedure takes 30 minutes. The patient is able to leave two to four hours after the procedure.
-more-San Antonio Bound
After doing more research and talking with Dr. Nielson’s staff, Kolsrud decided to travel to San Antonio, Texas. She found that patients from around the world travel to meet Dr. Nielson and undergo this unique procedure. Determined that this was the answer to her prayers, Kolsrud boarded the plane for Texas.
During the procedure, Nielson monitored the temperature of Kolsrud’s hands before, during and after the procedure. Dr. Nielson reported that Kolsrud’s hand temperature increased by 7 to 8 degrees by the end of surgery.
Kolsrud is so excited about the success of her surgery that she is telling anyone who will listen. She noticed immediately after surgery that her hands were warm. She credited Dr. Nielson and the staff for making her feel comforted before and after the surgery.
“ I truly knew this would work,” Kolsrud said. “I had no fear.”
For additional information on hyperhidrosis or the Micro ETS procedure, call (877) VERYDRY or visit www.hyperhidrosis-usa.com.
2,500 miles away from home, Canadian finds relief from facial burning and excessive sweating
SAN ANTONIO, TX - Thirty-five years later and 2,500 miles away from home, Martha Gibson found the relief she had been seeking from her facial burning and excessive sweating. On her sixty-sixth birthday, Martha began to enjoy life again.
At the age of 30, Martha noticed that her scalp and face would sweat uncontrollably for no apparent reason. Her face would burn, turn bright red, and sweat would drip down her face from her scalp. Her hair would become saturated with sweat. An avid swimmer and ballroom dancer, Martha began to give up the things she loved to do as the sweating intensified throughout the years. Her social life came to a halt and her husband, Robert, of 44 years could do nothing but watch his once vivacious wife slip away into a reclusive state.
“ This was very crippling to me,” Martha said. “Many people do not understand.”
The Canadian couple’s search for a diagnosis and treatment began as Martha began to retreat from society. Embarrassed by her constant sweating, she and her husband, Robert tried to find a name for her problem. Throughout the years, Martha visited numerous doctors. Each gave a range of diagnoses but never the right one. Doctors said she had illnesses such as high blood pressure, an over-active gland, a case of nerves but the most common diagnosis was anxiety. Martha was placed on a variety of anti-anxiety drugs and tranquilizers.
“ We tried acupuncture, hypnosis and biofeedback,” Robert said. But nothing was working and Martha was become more and more reclusive.
Her only outings were with her family and she carried a face towel with her at all times.
“ The sweat would be so bad,” she said. “It would pool up on my neck. It would run into my eyes and ears. I would not buy expensive clothes because of fear of the sweat stains.”
Many times, Robert would convince his wife to go out to dinner or dancing with him. As they were getting dressed for the evening, Martha would begin to sweat and her makeup would run down her face. She would become angry and not leave the house.
“ There would be absolutely no reason for her face to turn red,” Robert said. “But it would.”
About two years ago, Martha read in an English magazine a story about a girl with similar problems. Martha became very excited. For the first time she had a name for her problem; hyperhidrosis, excessive sweating of the hands, feet, face and scalp. Martha had renewed hope that she would find a solution.
She and Robert went to visit a thoracic surgeon at Vancouver General Hospital with the article in hand and a hope for a solution. However, the surgeon told them there was nothing he could do for her. Her renewed hope was gone.
Her family had not given up hope. Martha’s son-in-law began searching on the Internet for more information. The search led them to two places: The Cedar Sinai Center in Los Angeles and to a Dr. David Nielson of San Antonio, TX. Since they lived in Canada, Martha tried to call Cedar Sinai. She left several messages and tried to get through to anyone who could help her. No one ever called her back. Her determination was driving her and despite Dr. Nielson was in San Antonio, she called late on a Friday afternoon in October.
“ When Jane from his office called me back, I was floored,” Martha said.
Martha and her husband Robert were ecstatic about finding Dr. Nielson. The more they talked with the staff in his office, Martha became more assured that this was her treatment.
“It’s been over 30 years that I have been looking for someone to help me,” she said. “I never had a doubt.”
Dr. David Nielson
Dr. David Nielson is a cardio-thoracic surgeon who specializes in micro-endoscopic chest surgery on adults and children. But what Dr. Nielson is fast becoming known for is his innovative, least invasive treatment for patients with hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating of the hands and face), Raynaud’s Syndrome, facial blushing and RSD. These syndromes are all connected to a hyperactive sympathetic nerve dysfunction. Micro-endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy, created by Nielson, is the least invasive surgery for people suffering from any of these ailments. This procedure has the quickest recovery time and has a 99 percent success rate for those suffering from hyperhidrosis of the hands.
During the procedure, Dr. Nielson makes a single incision, one-twelfth of an inch per side, under each arm and inserts a 2mm scope. Nielson compares the size of his instruments to angel hair pasta. Once Dr. Nielson identifies the sympathetic nerve, he precisely divides it to instantly lessen hyperhidrosis symptoms and bring warmth to cold hands. The procedure takes 30 minutes. The patient is able to leave two to four hours after the procedure.
Performing the surgery on Martha might have incurred serious implications. While her age was not a factor, her physical and medical problems almost derailed the process. Martha has a partial blockage in her heart. She also has gained an unhealthy amount of weight from years of inactivity due to her excessive sweating. The office made her aware of the problems she could have during the procedure but with Dr. Nielson’s specialized micro ETS technique and his highly advanced monitors made the surgery a reality for Martha.
“ I told Jane, this is my first chance of getting it fixed,” she said. “I’m not turning it down.”
Traveling to San Antonio was made easy by Dr. Nielson’s staff. The staff works with all patients on patient education, insurance, and emotional support. Patients have traveled from as far away as Australia, Italy, Africa, South America, Japan, Singapore, Croatia, England and Korea to have the procedure done by Dr. Nielson.
For Martha and Robert, the trip from Canada was easy. Martha just needed her passport and she was ready to come.
“ They set it (the surgery) up like I lived around the corner,” Martha said.
The day after the procedure, Martha had her towel in hand, but she did not need it. The procedure was a success.
“ I used to have a constant on edge feeling,” she said. “ Like butterflies in my stomach. But when I woke up the feeling was gone.”
Martha and Robert look forward to going back to Vancouver where they live in a home by the beach. Martha wants to swim and dance again. Robert wants to go for a long walk on the beach with his wife.
“ I’ve loved her from the first time I saw her,” Robert said. “I want the best for her.”
If you think you might have hyperhidrosis, blushing, or cold hands you may find additional information at www.hyperhidrosis-usa.com or call 1-877-VERYDRY.
At the age of 30, Martha noticed that her scalp and face would sweat uncontrollably for no apparent reason. Her face would burn, turn bright red, and sweat would drip down her face from her scalp. Her hair would become saturated with sweat. An avid swimmer and ballroom dancer, Martha began to give up the things she loved to do as the sweating intensified throughout the years. Her social life came to a halt and her husband, Robert, of 44 years could do nothing but watch his once vivacious wife slip away into a reclusive state.
“ This was very crippling to me,” Martha said. “Many people do not understand.”
The Canadian couple’s search for a diagnosis and treatment began as Martha began to retreat from society. Embarrassed by her constant sweating, she and her husband, Robert tried to find a name for her problem. Throughout the years, Martha visited numerous doctors. Each gave a range of diagnoses but never the right one. Doctors said she had illnesses such as high blood pressure, an over-active gland, a case of nerves but the most common diagnosis was anxiety. Martha was placed on a variety of anti-anxiety drugs and tranquilizers.
“ We tried acupuncture, hypnosis and biofeedback,” Robert said. But nothing was working and Martha was become more and more reclusive.
Her only outings were with her family and she carried a face towel with her at all times.
“ The sweat would be so bad,” she said. “It would pool up on my neck. It would run into my eyes and ears. I would not buy expensive clothes because of fear of the sweat stains.”
Many times, Robert would convince his wife to go out to dinner or dancing with him. As they were getting dressed for the evening, Martha would begin to sweat and her makeup would run down her face. She would become angry and not leave the house.
“ There would be absolutely no reason for her face to turn red,” Robert said. “But it would.”
About two years ago, Martha read in an English magazine a story about a girl with similar problems. Martha became very excited. For the first time she had a name for her problem; hyperhidrosis, excessive sweating of the hands, feet, face and scalp. Martha had renewed hope that she would find a solution.
She and Robert went to visit a thoracic surgeon at Vancouver General Hospital with the article in hand and a hope for a solution. However, the surgeon told them there was nothing he could do for her. Her renewed hope was gone.
Her family had not given up hope. Martha’s son-in-law began searching on the Internet for more information. The search led them to two places: The Cedar Sinai Center in Los Angeles and to a Dr. David Nielson of San Antonio, TX. Since they lived in Canada, Martha tried to call Cedar Sinai. She left several messages and tried to get through to anyone who could help her. No one ever called her back. Her determination was driving her and despite Dr. Nielson was in San Antonio, she called late on a Friday afternoon in October.
“ When Jane from his office called me back, I was floored,” Martha said.
Martha and her husband Robert were ecstatic about finding Dr. Nielson. The more they talked with the staff in his office, Martha became more assured that this was her treatment.
“It’s been over 30 years that I have been looking for someone to help me,” she said. “I never had a doubt.”
Dr. David Nielson
Dr. David Nielson is a cardio-thoracic surgeon who specializes in micro-endoscopic chest surgery on adults and children. But what Dr. Nielson is fast becoming known for is his innovative, least invasive treatment for patients with hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating of the hands and face), Raynaud’s Syndrome, facial blushing and RSD. These syndromes are all connected to a hyperactive sympathetic nerve dysfunction. Micro-endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy, created by Nielson, is the least invasive surgery for people suffering from any of these ailments. This procedure has the quickest recovery time and has a 99 percent success rate for those suffering from hyperhidrosis of the hands.
During the procedure, Dr. Nielson makes a single incision, one-twelfth of an inch per side, under each arm and inserts a 2mm scope. Nielson compares the size of his instruments to angel hair pasta. Once Dr. Nielson identifies the sympathetic nerve, he precisely divides it to instantly lessen hyperhidrosis symptoms and bring warmth to cold hands. The procedure takes 30 minutes. The patient is able to leave two to four hours after the procedure.
Performing the surgery on Martha might have incurred serious implications. While her age was not a factor, her physical and medical problems almost derailed the process. Martha has a partial blockage in her heart. She also has gained an unhealthy amount of weight from years of inactivity due to her excessive sweating. The office made her aware of the problems she could have during the procedure but with Dr. Nielson’s specialized micro ETS technique and his highly advanced monitors made the surgery a reality for Martha.
“ I told Jane, this is my first chance of getting it fixed,” she said. “I’m not turning it down.”
Traveling to San Antonio was made easy by Dr. Nielson’s staff. The staff works with all patients on patient education, insurance, and emotional support. Patients have traveled from as far away as Australia, Italy, Africa, South America, Japan, Singapore, Croatia, England and Korea to have the procedure done by Dr. Nielson.
For Martha and Robert, the trip from Canada was easy. Martha just needed her passport and she was ready to come.
“ They set it (the surgery) up like I lived around the corner,” Martha said.
The day after the procedure, Martha had her towel in hand, but she did not need it. The procedure was a success.
“ I used to have a constant on edge feeling,” she said. “ Like butterflies in my stomach. But when I woke up the feeling was gone.”
Martha and Robert look forward to going back to Vancouver where they live in a home by the beach. Martha wants to swim and dance again. Robert wants to go for a long walk on the beach with his wife.
“ I’ve loved her from the first time I saw her,” Robert said. “I want the best for her.”
If you think you might have hyperhidrosis, blushing, or cold hands you may find additional information at www.hyperhidrosis-usa.com or call 1-877-VERYDRY.
Arkansas Woman Finds Warm Hands in San Antonio, Texas with Micro ETS Surgery
Bentonville, Arkansas -- For five years, Jackie Howard’s hands have been cold. Affected by Raynaud’s disease, Howard’s hands would tingle and then become numb. They would change colors from blue to black and eventually back to red as the circulation would return. She recently traveled to San Antonio, Texas to meet Dr. David Nielson and regain the warmth in her hands.
“ It was the most horrible pain,” Howard, 64, said of her hands. “My hands would be as black as black could be.
Told there was no treatment, Howard suffered and learned to cope with her pain. She wore gloves to restaurants. She kept a heat lamp next to her desk at the local assessor’s office. If the outside temperature was below 65 degrees, she simply stayed indoors. She went to a family physician, neurologist and a dermatologist. All confirmed her diagnoses and all said there was no solution. They gave her a prescription of beta-blockers and told her to be careful in cold weather. Facing retirement and longing for full use of her hands, Howard started searching for an answer. Her medications were not working. Howard turned to the Internet in search for any information she could find.
While searching for information on Raynaud’s Syndrome, she saw Dr. David Nielson’s website at the top of the list. While reading through the literature, she knew this was the one doctor who would help her.
“ He’s the one,” Howard said when she saw his picture. “I felt like God had led me there.”
Dr. David Nielson
Dr. David Nielson is a successful cardio-thoracic surgeon who specializes in endoscopic lung therapy on adults and children. But what Dr. Nielson is fast becoming known for is his innovative treatment for patients with hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating of the hands and face), Raynaud’s Syndrome (cold hands and feet), facial blushing and RSD. These syndromes are all connected to a hyperactive sympathetic nerve dysfunction. Micro-endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy, revolutionized by Nielson, is the least invasive surgery for people suffering from any of these ailments. This procedure has the quickest recovery time and has a 99 percent success rate for those suffering from hyperhidrosis and an 85- to 90 percent improvement rate for those suffering from Raynaud’s Syndrome.
Using precise instruments, Dr. Nielson makes a single incision, one-twelfth of an inch per side, under each arm. Nielson inserts a 2mm scope, camera and micro scissors into the incision. Nielson compares the size of his instruments to angel hair pasta. Once Dr. Nielson identifies the sympathetic nerve, he severs it to instantly bring warmth to the hands and/or treat hyperhidrosis. The procedure takes 30 minutes. The patient is able to leave two to four hours after the procedure.
“ Performing this procedure using a tiny scope eliminates the need for a larger incision and a longer hospital stay, meaning less pain and recovery time for the patient,” Dr. Nielson said. “Any time I can make a medical procedure easier on a patient, the better.”
Raynaud’s Syndrome, named after the French physician who discovered it, is more than having cold hands and feet. It affects mainly women although anyone can develop the condition. Triggers for the disease include the cold and stress. Symptoms depend on the frequency, duration and severity of the blood vessel spasms. The skin may turn white due to lack of blood flow. After the spasms subside, the skin may turn red before returning to its normal color. Symptoms include color changes in the skin in response to the cold or stress, a numb or stinging pain upon warming or relief of stress. In the most severe cases, blood circulation to the fingers and toes could be permanently lost causing deformities or in worse case scenario, an amputation might be necessary.
While the majority of the people living with Raynaud’s view it as a nuisance, Howard feared she would eventually lose her fingers. Howard’s trip was a success. After undergoing the procedure, the temperature in her hands increased by over 10 degrees.
“ It’s a miracle,” Howard said. “The first thing I said when I woke up was ‘my hands are warm’. Dr. Nielson is incredible.”
For additional information on hyperhidrosis, Raynaud’s Syndrome or the Micro ETS procedure, call (877) VERYDRY or visit www.hyperhidrosis-usa.com
“ It was the most horrible pain,” Howard, 64, said of her hands. “My hands would be as black as black could be.
Told there was no treatment, Howard suffered and learned to cope with her pain. She wore gloves to restaurants. She kept a heat lamp next to her desk at the local assessor’s office. If the outside temperature was below 65 degrees, she simply stayed indoors. She went to a family physician, neurologist and a dermatologist. All confirmed her diagnoses and all said there was no solution. They gave her a prescription of beta-blockers and told her to be careful in cold weather. Facing retirement and longing for full use of her hands, Howard started searching for an answer. Her medications were not working. Howard turned to the Internet in search for any information she could find.
While searching for information on Raynaud’s Syndrome, she saw Dr. David Nielson’s website at the top of the list. While reading through the literature, she knew this was the one doctor who would help her.
“ He’s the one,” Howard said when she saw his picture. “I felt like God had led me there.”
Dr. David Nielson
Dr. David Nielson is a successful cardio-thoracic surgeon who specializes in endoscopic lung therapy on adults and children. But what Dr. Nielson is fast becoming known for is his innovative treatment for patients with hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating of the hands and face), Raynaud’s Syndrome (cold hands and feet), facial blushing and RSD. These syndromes are all connected to a hyperactive sympathetic nerve dysfunction. Micro-endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy, revolutionized by Nielson, is the least invasive surgery for people suffering from any of these ailments. This procedure has the quickest recovery time and has a 99 percent success rate for those suffering from hyperhidrosis and an 85- to 90 percent improvement rate for those suffering from Raynaud’s Syndrome.
Using precise instruments, Dr. Nielson makes a single incision, one-twelfth of an inch per side, under each arm. Nielson inserts a 2mm scope, camera and micro scissors into the incision. Nielson compares the size of his instruments to angel hair pasta. Once Dr. Nielson identifies the sympathetic nerve, he severs it to instantly bring warmth to the hands and/or treat hyperhidrosis. The procedure takes 30 minutes. The patient is able to leave two to four hours after the procedure.
“ Performing this procedure using a tiny scope eliminates the need for a larger incision and a longer hospital stay, meaning less pain and recovery time for the patient,” Dr. Nielson said. “Any time I can make a medical procedure easier on a patient, the better.”
Raynaud’s Syndrome, named after the French physician who discovered it, is more than having cold hands and feet. It affects mainly women although anyone can develop the condition. Triggers for the disease include the cold and stress. Symptoms depend on the frequency, duration and severity of the blood vessel spasms. The skin may turn white due to lack of blood flow. After the spasms subside, the skin may turn red before returning to its normal color. Symptoms include color changes in the skin in response to the cold or stress, a numb or stinging pain upon warming or relief of stress. In the most severe cases, blood circulation to the fingers and toes could be permanently lost causing deformities or in worse case scenario, an amputation might be necessary.
While the majority of the people living with Raynaud’s view it as a nuisance, Howard feared she would eventually lose her fingers. Howard’s trip was a success. After undergoing the procedure, the temperature in her hands increased by over 10 degrees.
“ It’s a miracle,” Howard said. “The first thing I said when I woke up was ‘my hands are warm’. Dr. Nielson is incredible.”
For additional information on hyperhidrosis, Raynaud’s Syndrome or the Micro ETS procedure, call (877) VERYDRY or visit www.hyperhidrosis-usa.com
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
Second Time’s a Charm
San Antonio, TX - Twenty-one years ago, Jeff Miller had surgery to treat his hyperhidrosis. It didn’t work.
Jeff, 44, has had hyperhidrosis, sweating of the hands, since the age of three. He and his identical twin brother have been dealing with the physical and social affects of having sweaty hands for as long as they can remember. In 1982 at the age of 22, Jeff decided to try a radical new procedure called a dorsal sympathectomy. In this procedure, the neurosurgeon makes an incision approximately six to seven inches long down the center of the patient’s back. The surgeon, after removing the first rib, then attempts to locate the sympathetic nerve, sever it and hopefully improve the patient’s hyperhidrosis.
After this procedure, Jeff was in the hospital for five days, in pain and with a host of new problems, including Horner’s eye (droopy eye), Bell’s Palsy, facial blushing and his hands continued to sweat.
“I thought I was messing with Mother Nature,” Jeff said. “I thought it was a sign that I should live with the sweating.”
As Jeff grew older, he learned different coping mechanisms for his sweating hands. He discovered while participating on the high school wrestling team that if he depleted his body of liquid, the sweating would almost disappear. As an adult, he continued this process before meetings so his hands would not sweat.
“ When the surgery failed, I resolved that this was my destiny, “Jeff said.
His sweating prevented him from playing pool, continuing guitar lessons, and playing tennis. As a safety measure, Jeff always wore gloves when doing electrical work around the house.
“It really affected all parts of my life,” Jeff said.
A hereditary syndrome, Jeff’s cousin and nephew as well as his own teenage daughter, also suffer from hyperhidrosis. Watching his daughter go through the same anxiety that Jeff experienced made him realize that something had to be done.
“My heart goes out to my daughter, Jeff said. “She is just starting the dating years and it brings back so many memories of my high school years.”
Jeff began researching new technologies and medicines and found Dr. David Nielson on the Internet. He chose Dr. Nielson after reading about his past surgical success with “re-dos.” Many hyperhidrosis patients come to Dr. Nielson after undergoing a sympathectomy that didn’t work. After consulting with Dr. Nielson, these patients undergo his Micro ETS procedure and awake with dry hands.
“I knew if anyone could help, it would be Dr. Nielson, " Jeff said. “There are other doctors who say they do the same surgery, but I knew Dr. Nielson was the one.”
Jeff flew into San Antonio and underwent the Micro ETS surgery. While in surgery, Dr. Nielson found that Jeff’s lungs were extremely scarred from the previous surgery. But Dr. Nielson, who is known to be tenacious, kept working with his microscopic tools to get through the scar tissue, reach the sympathetic nerve and related Kuntz nerves, and severed them to instantly treat Jeff’s sweating.
“It’s amazing,” Jeff said after returning back to Illinois. “I keep anticipating that I am going to start sweating but I don’t. Even in church when we are holding hands, my daughter is amazed at how dry my hands are.”
“It (the surgery) has made a tremendous impact on my life for the better,” Jeff said. “Many of my family still do not know that I had the surgery done. They will be surprised to feel how dry my hands are."
For more information, call 1-877-VERYDRY to talk to Dr. Nielson’s staff or take our on-line questionnaire to see if you have hyperhidrosis at www.hyperhidrosis-usa.com.
Jeff, 44, has had hyperhidrosis, sweating of the hands, since the age of three. He and his identical twin brother have been dealing with the physical and social affects of having sweaty hands for as long as they can remember. In 1982 at the age of 22, Jeff decided to try a radical new procedure called a dorsal sympathectomy. In this procedure, the neurosurgeon makes an incision approximately six to seven inches long down the center of the patient’s back. The surgeon, after removing the first rib, then attempts to locate the sympathetic nerve, sever it and hopefully improve the patient’s hyperhidrosis.
After this procedure, Jeff was in the hospital for five days, in pain and with a host of new problems, including Horner’s eye (droopy eye), Bell’s Palsy, facial blushing and his hands continued to sweat.
“I thought I was messing with Mother Nature,” Jeff said. “I thought it was a sign that I should live with the sweating.”
As Jeff grew older, he learned different coping mechanisms for his sweating hands. He discovered while participating on the high school wrestling team that if he depleted his body of liquid, the sweating would almost disappear. As an adult, he continued this process before meetings so his hands would not sweat.
“ When the surgery failed, I resolved that this was my destiny, “Jeff said.
His sweating prevented him from playing pool, continuing guitar lessons, and playing tennis. As a safety measure, Jeff always wore gloves when doing electrical work around the house.
“It really affected all parts of my life,” Jeff said.
A hereditary syndrome, Jeff’s cousin and nephew as well as his own teenage daughter, also suffer from hyperhidrosis. Watching his daughter go through the same anxiety that Jeff experienced made him realize that something had to be done.
“My heart goes out to my daughter, Jeff said. “She is just starting the dating years and it brings back so many memories of my high school years.”
Jeff began researching new technologies and medicines and found Dr. David Nielson on the Internet. He chose Dr. Nielson after reading about his past surgical success with “re-dos.” Many hyperhidrosis patients come to Dr. Nielson after undergoing a sympathectomy that didn’t work. After consulting with Dr. Nielson, these patients undergo his Micro ETS procedure and awake with dry hands.
“I knew if anyone could help, it would be Dr. Nielson, " Jeff said. “There are other doctors who say they do the same surgery, but I knew Dr. Nielson was the one.”
Jeff flew into San Antonio and underwent the Micro ETS surgery. While in surgery, Dr. Nielson found that Jeff’s lungs were extremely scarred from the previous surgery. But Dr. Nielson, who is known to be tenacious, kept working with his microscopic tools to get through the scar tissue, reach the sympathetic nerve and related Kuntz nerves, and severed them to instantly treat Jeff’s sweating.
“It’s amazing,” Jeff said after returning back to Illinois. “I keep anticipating that I am going to start sweating but I don’t. Even in church when we are holding hands, my daughter is amazed at how dry my hands are.”
“It (the surgery) has made a tremendous impact on my life for the better,” Jeff said. “Many of my family still do not know that I had the surgery done. They will be surprised to feel how dry my hands are."
For more information, call 1-877-VERYDRY to talk to Dr. Nielson’s staff or take our on-line questionnaire to see if you have hyperhidrosis at www.hyperhidrosis-usa.com.
Botox Not a New Treatment for Hyperhidrosis - It’s a temporary fix, says San Antonio surgeon
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS— San Antonio surgeon, Dr. David Nielson has been treating hyperhidrosis for years, not with Botox injections, but with a minimally invasive surgery he created called the Micro ETS procedure.
“ The new research on Botox is interesting,” said Dr. Nielson, “but what (Allergan) is not informing the public is that it takes many injections directly into the hands or underarm area and it is only a temporary fix. Patients using Botox for hyperhidrosis will have to go through another round of injections every six months to curb the sweating.”
Hyperhidrosis is caused by an overactive sympathetic nerve. Symptoms include excessive sweating of the hands, face, feet and underarm area and can occur in any environment and can cause physical and emotional pain.
Dr. Nielson created this highly precise procedure to sever the sympathetic nerve to instantly stop the excessive sweating in the hands, face, feet and underarm area. His Micro ETS procedure has a 99 percent improvement rate for those with palmar hyperhidrosis and almost equally as high for those with facial blushing and Raynaud’s. During this 20-minute procedure, tiny 1/12 of an inch incisions are made under each arm. Using microscopic tools, he navigates the lung cavity to the sympathetic nerve chain. Once he has located the overactive sympathetic nerve, he severs it to instantly treat the hyperhidrosis. Patients are able to leave the hospital two to four hours after the surgery.
Dr, Nielson says that of his 3,000 patients he has seen for hyperhidrosis, many of those patients have tried the Botox injections.
“ It’s not a new treatment,” said Dr. Nielson. “We have a database dating back to 1999 of patients who tried Botox and said it didn’t work. Many said it was painful and not worth the money and again, it is a temporary fix.”
As for the attention hyperhidrosis is getting, Dr. Nielson is pleased. He has worked with many insurance companies for years, stating the physical and emotional pain hyperhidrosis cases.
“ I can recount many stories from teens wanting to go the prom to adults choosing a career,” said Dr. Nielson. “It is amazing hearing how hyperhidrosis affects self-esteem and social interaction.”
For additional information on hyperhidrosis, Raynaud’s Syndrome or the Micro ETS procedure, call (877) VERYDRY or visit www.hyperhidrosis-usa.com.
“ The new research on Botox is interesting,” said Dr. Nielson, “but what (Allergan) is not informing the public is that it takes many injections directly into the hands or underarm area and it is only a temporary fix. Patients using Botox for hyperhidrosis will have to go through another round of injections every six months to curb the sweating.”
Hyperhidrosis is caused by an overactive sympathetic nerve. Symptoms include excessive sweating of the hands, face, feet and underarm area and can occur in any environment and can cause physical and emotional pain.
Dr. Nielson created this highly precise procedure to sever the sympathetic nerve to instantly stop the excessive sweating in the hands, face, feet and underarm area. His Micro ETS procedure has a 99 percent improvement rate for those with palmar hyperhidrosis and almost equally as high for those with facial blushing and Raynaud’s. During this 20-minute procedure, tiny 1/12 of an inch incisions are made under each arm. Using microscopic tools, he navigates the lung cavity to the sympathetic nerve chain. Once he has located the overactive sympathetic nerve, he severs it to instantly treat the hyperhidrosis. Patients are able to leave the hospital two to four hours after the surgery.
Dr, Nielson says that of his 3,000 patients he has seen for hyperhidrosis, many of those patients have tried the Botox injections.
“ It’s not a new treatment,” said Dr. Nielson. “We have a database dating back to 1999 of patients who tried Botox and said it didn’t work. Many said it was painful and not worth the money and again, it is a temporary fix.”
As for the attention hyperhidrosis is getting, Dr. Nielson is pleased. He has worked with many insurance companies for years, stating the physical and emotional pain hyperhidrosis cases.
“ I can recount many stories from teens wanting to go the prom to adults choosing a career,” said Dr. Nielson. “It is amazing hearing how hyperhidrosis affects self-esteem and social interaction.”
For additional information on hyperhidrosis, Raynaud’s Syndrome or the Micro ETS procedure, call (877) VERYDRY or visit www.hyperhidrosis-usa.com.
United States Air Force Captain Soars to New Highs After Micro ETS Surgery
San Antonio, Texas - For United States Air Force Captain, Tim Lyons, it was more of an annoyance than an hindrance.
“ My hands would be wet and clammy,” Lyons said. “In flight school, my papers were curling up from the wetness dripping from my hands.”
Lyons suffers from Hyperhidrosis, excessive sweating of the hands, face, feet and underarm area. Studies show that hyperhidrosis affects over 7.8 million Americans alone. Caused by an over active sympathetic nerve, people with hyperhidrosis experience sweating even in air-conditioned settings.
Lyons, a navigator and stationed in San Antonio, has had this problem for “as long as he can remember.”
“ I think it became more prominent in junior high,” Lyons said. “It wasn’t easy to be sociable with girls with fish hands. It seemed like my hands were always clammy and cold.”
Throughout his junior high and high school years, Lyons attributed his shyness to the problem with his hands. He found ways to cover up his wet palms by making excuses or avoiding social situations.
As Lyons career in the Air Force took flight, Lyons decided to look into his problem.
“ During flights, I could wear gloves to cover the sweating,” Lyons said. “Once in a blue moon, I’d get an occasional shock from the instrument panel in the cockpit because my hands were wet.”
Never formally diagnosed by a doctor, Lyons’ Internet research led him to the diagnosis of hyperhidrosis. He went to his flight surgeon for help.
He tried several treatment options, including Iontophoresis, electroshock therapy for his hands.
“ I went through several treatment options,” Lyons said. “I knew that surgery was the only way to fix this problem.”
The flight surgeon gave Lyons the military option of endoscopic surgery. A surgeon would collapse Lyons lung, and attempt to locate the sympathetic nerve and clamp it.
Uncomfortable about having his lung collapsed and knowing the recovery time would be longer than he could have, Lyons remembered a story about Dr. David Nielson.
Dr. David Nielson, a cardio-thoracic surgeon, revoluntionized endoscopic surgery by creating the Micro Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy. This 20-minute procedure is the least invasive surgery for those suffering from hyperhidrosis. During the procedure, Dr. Nielson makes an incision 1/12 of an inch under each arm. Using microscopic instruments, Dr. Nielson is able to navigate around the lung to the sympathetic nerve. He severs the nerve to instantly treat the excessive sweating. Patients are able to leave the hospital two to four hours later.
Lyons underwent the procedure. He reports that from his sternum to his head, he does not have the excessive sweating and that his feet are dry and warm about 90 percent of the time. Ten days after the surgery, Lyons was deployed to Africa for a three-month mission.
“ I have normal sweating now,” Lyons said. “It is a relief.’
For additional information on hyperhidrosis, Raynaud’s Syndrome or the Micro ETS procedure, call (877) VERYDRY or visit www.hyperhidrosis-usa.com
“ My hands would be wet and clammy,” Lyons said. “In flight school, my papers were curling up from the wetness dripping from my hands.”
Lyons suffers from Hyperhidrosis, excessive sweating of the hands, face, feet and underarm area. Studies show that hyperhidrosis affects over 7.8 million Americans alone. Caused by an over active sympathetic nerve, people with hyperhidrosis experience sweating even in air-conditioned settings.
Lyons, a navigator and stationed in San Antonio, has had this problem for “as long as he can remember.”
“ I think it became more prominent in junior high,” Lyons said. “It wasn’t easy to be sociable with girls with fish hands. It seemed like my hands were always clammy and cold.”
Throughout his junior high and high school years, Lyons attributed his shyness to the problem with his hands. He found ways to cover up his wet palms by making excuses or avoiding social situations.
As Lyons career in the Air Force took flight, Lyons decided to look into his problem.
“ During flights, I could wear gloves to cover the sweating,” Lyons said. “Once in a blue moon, I’d get an occasional shock from the instrument panel in the cockpit because my hands were wet.”
Never formally diagnosed by a doctor, Lyons’ Internet research led him to the diagnosis of hyperhidrosis. He went to his flight surgeon for help.
He tried several treatment options, including Iontophoresis, electroshock therapy for his hands.
“ I went through several treatment options,” Lyons said. “I knew that surgery was the only way to fix this problem.”
The flight surgeon gave Lyons the military option of endoscopic surgery. A surgeon would collapse Lyons lung, and attempt to locate the sympathetic nerve and clamp it.
Uncomfortable about having his lung collapsed and knowing the recovery time would be longer than he could have, Lyons remembered a story about Dr. David Nielson.
Dr. David Nielson, a cardio-thoracic surgeon, revoluntionized endoscopic surgery by creating the Micro Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy. This 20-minute procedure is the least invasive surgery for those suffering from hyperhidrosis. During the procedure, Dr. Nielson makes an incision 1/12 of an inch under each arm. Using microscopic instruments, Dr. Nielson is able to navigate around the lung to the sympathetic nerve. He severs the nerve to instantly treat the excessive sweating. Patients are able to leave the hospital two to four hours later.
Lyons underwent the procedure. He reports that from his sternum to his head, he does not have the excessive sweating and that his feet are dry and warm about 90 percent of the time. Ten days after the surgery, Lyons was deployed to Africa for a three-month mission.
“ I have normal sweating now,” Lyons said. “It is a relief.’
For additional information on hyperhidrosis, Raynaud’s Syndrome or the Micro ETS procedure, call (877) VERYDRY or visit www.hyperhidrosis-usa.com
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