Medical Uses for Botox
The Food and Drug Administration first approved the use of Botox in 1989 to treat eye muscle spasm. It has since risen in popularity (as well as some controversy) in its cosmetic use as an anti-aging solution. Botox is most commonly known to correct and prevent the visible signs of age and gravity that appear in the skin. Injections of Botox into the brow area, area around the corners of the mouth, chin and crow's feet area near the eyes can create a "filler" to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, thereby restoring the appearance of younger-looking skin. Aside from its cosmetic uses, Botox is also used to treat other medical conditions.
-
Scientific Explanation of Botox
-
Officially called botulinum toxin, Botox is an intense, extremely powerful poison derived from a toxic, rare bacteria that can cause life-threatening illness. The toxin is from the bacteria clostridium botulinum, which can grow in badly prepared foods, infant intestines and infected wounds. The toxin causes blockage in the nerves that control the muscles and glands, causing a cease in secretion and muscle paralysis.
Hyperhidrosis Treatment
-
Botox is used to treat excessive sweating, also called hyperhidrosis. The ability for Botox to stop the secretion of the sweat glands means that patients who experience profuse sweating of the armpits, hands, feet, face and trunk can be cured. For these patients, a Botox injection often presents a more favorable option than surgical treatment, which is associated with more complications, risks, cost and downtime.
Bladder Disorder Treatment
-
Again, the paralysis function of Botox can help treat bladder disorders. Incontinence presents serious problems for females, and Botox can provide a temporary alleviation of symptoms. Overactive bladder syndrome can be halted with botox injections as well, although repeated injections may be required.
Migraine Treatment
-
Botox use for migraine treatment was an accidental discovery, as historically migraine-cursed patients of Botox cosmetic use began reporting that the injections ceased their headaches. Institutions such as the Baylor College of Medicine began organizing headache studies, which indeed concluded that Botox provided rapid migraine relief. Exactly how and why Botox cures migraines is still unknown, but one hypothesis is that Botox blocks the sensory nerves that communicate pain to the brain while also relaxing the facial muscles. Migraine relief is one of Botox's many "off-label" uses, meaning a condition that the injections work for treating yet was not one that the substance was originally approved for.
Treatment of Cervical Dystonia
-
Cervical dystonia is a painful condition that causes uncontrollable, repetitive twitching movements and twists in the neck. It also causes the head to be carried in awkward postures. These symptoms occur because normal movements are hindered by involuntary muscle contractions. In the United States, Botox is approved to treat this condition. In general, Botox can help relax the muscles and stop the involuntary jerking of any patient suffering from hypertonia, which causes spastic jerking and muscle stiffness.
Cerebral Palsy
-
Because Botox can enforce muscle relaxation and improve limb function, it is effective in treating children with cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy symptoms include the spastic movement of arms and legs and sudden muscle stiffness and contraction caused by miscommunicated signals between the brain and the limbs. Botox is able to interrupt the communication between the spinal cord and the nerves, which lets the muscles relax and stops sudden jerking movements.
-
