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Surprising medical uses of Botox no one talks about in the media
Botox is the commercial name given to the neuromuscular blocker called botulinum toxin. It has become a household name for treating signs of agings such as wrinkles and fine lines, but with advanced research and experimentation, multiple other uses of botox have come to the surface as well.
Botox is a neuromuscular blocker i.e. it blocks the nerve signals that carry the message for muscles to contract. In other words, it takes away muscles’ ability to move. This is how botox reduces the appearance of wrinkles and the same mechanism is used in treating several other medical conditions such as the following:
Profuse Sweating
- Sweating is a normal body function but some people sweat excessively especially when they are nervous or uncomfortable. Sweat is produced when the muscles that surround the sweat glands contract and push the liquid out. For people who sweat profusely, botox injections are administered to control the amount of sweat. The neurotoxin paralyzes these muscles and takes away their ability to function normally.
Experiments have been carried out to determine botox’s safety and effectiveness in controlling excessive sweating. Due to its success, in 2014 FDA approved the use of Botox to treat excessive sweating. Studies showed that Botox also reduces the foul smell of sweat.
Chronic Pain
- Chronic pain can be defined as long-term and recurrent pain that subsides temporarily. Chronic pain does not respond to OTC painkillers but Botox seems to be much more effective in treating chronic pain. Myofascial pain syndrome is the medical name for muscle pain. Studies have been conducted and experiments have been performed to review the effect of neurotoxins on treating muscle-related pains.
In 2014, botox injections were administered into the muscles of neck and shoulder areas of 114 people who suffered from myofascial pain syndrome. The injections reduced the severity of pain drastically and the positive results persisted for a longer time compared to ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatory drugs.
Drooling Caused By Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s is an ailment of the nervous system that is characterized by the body’s inability to control movement. Due to disruptions in muscular function, people who suffer from this disease have difficulty swallowing and they often develop excessive drooling. Studies show that Botox can control excessive drooling in people suffering from Parkison’s disease.
In 2006, a study was conducted in which Botox injections were administered in the salivary glands of 32 people who were suffering from this disease. Careful observation of the patients revealed the patients produced less saliva and drooling was controlled after the administration of the injections. It was a safe procedure that did not lead to any side effects.
Severe and Prolonged Migraine
- Migraine is a painful condition in which the patient suffers from severe headaches, nausea, and vomiting. The exact cause, prevention, and treatment of migraine have not been discovered by the medical community. However, research suggests that certain muscular mechanisms contribute to the development of migraines which is why botox has been tested to treat chronic migraine.
In 2010, after extensive research to determine the safety and effectiveness of botox, FDA approved the administration of Botox injections to treat migraine. For effective treatment, the injections are administered to the neck and head region after every 12 weeks. Botox injections resulted in considerable improvement for patients suffering from migraine.
- If the removal of wrinkles and face lines is your goal, then contact Alladerm. Our skilled estheticians will guide you and administer customized botox treatment. For more information, call us at 949-916-7166. We are located in Aliso Viejo, California.
