The word “phonograph” was the trade name applied to the device invented by Thomas Edison some 130 years ago for transmitting the spoken world by way of a needle scratching around the surface of a cylinder. It spawned the record player, itself long since superseded by the miniaturised music machines of today.
Edison is also credited with developing the electric light bulb into some form of practical illumination. And he famously shed light on the secret of his great success as an inventor with his much quoted (perhaps misquoted) statement: “It’s 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration.”
That’s all well and good; but how do we cope with the sometimes unpleasant consequences of too much perspiration?
Hyperhidrosis is the fancy medical term used to describe excessive sweating. It’s happened to us all at some stage or another, usually when we over-exercise in hot conditions; but some people get extra sweaty in what seem to be the coolest weather and the calmest conditions.
Of course sweating occurs for a reason; it’s not just there to cause us embarrassment. The major function is the regulation of body temperature through the cooling effects of sweat evaporation. Well that’s what most sweat does.
In fact there are two types of sweat glands: so-called eccrine and apocrine. The eccrine glands are distributed over the entire skin surface whereas the apocrine glands occur mainly in the armpits and the groin. The apocrine glands produce a more viscous secretion responsible for our “personal scent”.
Wherever on the body the sweat comes from it’s initially clean and fresh and without any unpleasant odour; but when it comes into contact with the normal skin bacteria, a not so pleasant smell is the result.
The management of body odour (BO) or bromhydrosis as it is known medically, depends chiefly on two factors – killing the bacteria on the body (or at least reducing their number) and keeping the affected area as dry as possible.
Sweaty, smelly feet are a particular problem. The moisture enclosed by shoes and socks can increase the risk of fungal infections; and the fungal infections can exacerbate the often already unpleasant odour which rises from floor level whenever the laces are loosened.
Oral malodour sounds so much more polite than halitosis; but it’s bad breath by any other name. Overnight the lack of the cleansing action of saliva allows the bacteria in the mouth to run riot, so waking up in the morning with dogs’ breath is not an unusual occurrence.
But this is most often transient and is easily rectified by having some breakfast, brushing the teeth and tongue, and rinsing the mouth with fresh water.
In people with persistent halitosis, poor oral hygiene is probably the problem, but other pre-disposing factors include mouth and gum disease, and a chronic reduction in the secretion of saliva. There are a number of medicines that cause dry mouth and a few others which could be a direct cause of bad breath. Ask your pharmacist for advice.
The cause of halitosis may not always originate in the mouth. Sometimes an upper respiratory tract or sinus infection could be the culprit. See your doctor if this is a possibility.
Meanwhile you could get some useful information on how to avoid those less than pleasant fragrances from pharmacies providing the Pharmaceutical Society’s Self Care health information. There are fact cards on Dry Mouth, Oral Health, Sinus Problems and Tinea, among many others. Check the website www.psa.org.au and click on Self Care Pharmacy Finder, for the nearest location.
