‘Pasma’ could just be a symptom of another medical condition

It’s a Pinoy thing: “’Wag maligo kapag pagod, baka ka ma-pasma’.”

But what is “pasma?”

In a recent episode of Pinoy MD, Dr. Teresita Joey Ples Evangelista, Department Chair of Physical and Rehab Medicine at the Asian Hospital and Medical  Center, said “pasma” might actually just be a symptom of another medical condition like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or Hyperhidrosis.

“Malabo na may ganung konsepto, kaya tuloy-tuloy ang pananaliksik ng mga eksperto tungkol sa pasma,” she said.

"Pasma," Filipinos believe, is the excessive sweating of your palms, the shaking and/or numbness of your hands; results of that shower you took while you were tired.

But the doctor says excessive sweating of the palms might just be a symptom of Hyperhidrosis, Gout, high uric acid, obesity, or menopause even.

The shaking of the hands meanwhile could be a symptom of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, a condition in which the median nerve is clipped or caught in between muscle tissues.

The median nerve, Pinoy MD explains, is responsible for the movement of fingers. It passes through the middle of the hand, and because of too much movement, or usage, it could get caught in between muscle tissues.

For those with carpel tunnel, Dr. Evangelista suggests therapy treatment thrice a week. Botox meanwhile is a good solution to Hyperhidrosis. If that’s a bit extreme, a solution of alum or drying agents like baking soda, vinegar or acidic fruits, is also okay.

Watch the episode below:

— LA, GMA News