Medical Benefits of Botox Treatment
Botox has a wide range of therapeutic uses. In Canada, it is currently used to treat everything from cross-eyedness to Juvenile Cerebral Palsy.
In fact, Botox has become a very common tool in the treatment of a number of ophthalmic and neurological disorders.
When injected into a muscle, Botox blocks the neurotransmitter acetylcholine from transmitting nerve impulses, and thus stops the muscle from contracting.
Consequently, it can provide great relief for a number of neurological disorders characterized by abnormal muscle spasms.
Ongoing clinical trials continue to find new uses for Botox such as in the treatment of chronic lower back pain and urinary incontinence, and offer us a better understanding of its potential side effects.
Conditions Which Can be Treated With Botox
A condition characterized by a misalignment of the eyes (in other words, the eyes appear to be looking in different directions). While Strabismus
is usually treated surgically, Botox can be an effective alternative for many patients. Studies comparing Botox therapy and surgery have yet to be conducted however.
Blepharospasm is the involuntary forceful closure of the eyelids. The first symptom of the condition is usually uncontrollable blinking. Eventually, the eyelids remain
closed all the time, and although the patient's vision may be normal, he or she becomes functionally blind. When accompanied by Oromandibular dystonia, the condition
is known as Meiges syndrome. Injections of Botox into muscles in the face and around the eye has become the treatment of choice for patients with Blepharospasm.
Hemifacial spasm is the sudden, simultaneous contraction of the muscles on one side of the face. The spasm can subside immediately or persist for several seconds and can occur several
times a day. It can be painful and embarrassing. Botox is an alternative therapy to oral medication and surgery.
Spasmodic Torticollis is an asymmetric muscular spasm in the neck that results in forceful turning of the head to one side. During a spasm, the head may be pulled forward or backward. It is the most common of the focal dystonias (a dystonia is a state of abnormal muscle tone). Torticollis can accompany other movement disorders and can be very painful.
Oromandibular dystonia involves continuous, bilateral (both sides) spasms of the face, jaw, neck, tongue, larynx, and in severe cases, the respiratory system. It is usually treated with various medications, although Botox has proven effective for certain cases. Because there are so many different muscles involved, the therapy requires multiple injections.
Pain from headaches is one of the most common types of pain. Headache symptoms may include one sided, throbbing pain, sensitivity to light and loud noises, nausea, and vomiting. Acute attacks are usually treated with medications aimed at reducing headache intensity, controlling associated
symptoms and preventing progression. Botox has shown promise as an alternative treatment in many clinical trials. Muscle spasms are believed to be a major contributor in migraine, tension and neck related headaches. Consequently, Botox is injected into the specific muscles that are overactive, or trigger points that are painful.
Botox may be an effective treatment for some speech problems. Many speech problems such as Spasmodic dysphonia, are caused by a spasm of the laryngeal muscles (the vocal cords). Botox has proven effective in alleviating symptoms and restoring speech fluency, although one kind of Spasmodic dysphonia (Abductor Spasmodic dysphonia) poses an airway obstruction risk if
certain muscles are injected. Stuttering (speech characterized by repetitions of sounds and words) and vocal tremor (speech characterized by quavering), may also be treatable with Botox.
Hyperhydrosis is caused by the overstimulation of sweat glands by the autonomic nerves. There can be considerable emotional and social stigma attached to the condition, and this can lead to a loss of confidence and self-esteem. Traditional treatments for hyperhydrosis include over-the-counter commercial antiperspirants, oral medications, electrical treatments, and surgery.
Existing non-surgical treatments however, have had limited success in dealing with excessive sweating or have produced unpleasant side effects. In recent studies, Botox has been shown to be effective in decreasing sweating of the armpits, hands, and feet. Botox controls hyperhydrosis by blocking the release of the chemical responsible for stimulating the sweat glands -- acetycholine.
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