According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, more than seven million Americans receive Botox injections yearly. Botulinum toxin (Botox) treatment has been primarily known for cosmetically addressing aging signs like wrinkles. That is possible because if you receive an injection of Botox from Dr. Michael Paltiel, it works by blocking chemical messengers from the nerves in the injected area, leading to the contraction and relaxation of muscles that cause dynamic and static wrinkles. Apart from preventing or improving facial wrinkles and fine lines, studies continue to show that the muscle relaxation effect of Botox injections can also help in addressing various medical problems. Consequently, below are some health issues that Botox can treat.
1. Chronic migraines
When you have a chronic migraine, you receive a headache at least 15 days a month, and the migraine symptoms persist for more than a few months. Chronic migraines may result from traumatic brain injury, inflammation of blood vessels, and infections.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of Botox to treat chronic migraines in 2010. Botox injections may help relieve your migraines if you do not get relief from medications that treat depression, seizures, and hypertension.
2. Pain
Numerous studies show that you can get relief from Botox injections if you have foot pain, back pain, jaw pain, sciatica, or Temporomandibular joint dysfunction pain. For example, sciatica, also known as sciatic neuritis, is a pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve path, which travels from your lower back to your legs. The sciatic nerve helps you feel sensations in the legs and assists in the movement of muscles in your legs and feet.
Botox is a pain management solution because it blocks nerve signals and relaxes muscles.
3. Overactive bladder
An overactive bladder causes frequent and sudden need to urinate during the day and at night. The condition can also trigger incontinence, an involuntary loss of urine.
Medical conditions and other factors such as excessive fluid intake, urinary tract infections, bladder abnormalities, urinary retention, and consumption of bladder irritants may cause your overactive bladder.
A urologist will inject Botox into your bladder through a special instrument inserted via the urethra. Botox injections will make the muscles of your bladder contract and relax regularly, leading to normal urination.
4. Excessive underarm sweating
Sweating is a natural mechanism that helps the body cool itself. When your body’s temperature rises, your nervous system activates your sweat glands automatically.
Excessive underarm sweating, medically known as hyperhidrosis, activates the nerves of your eccrine sweat glands to produce excessive sweating.
Your doctor will inject Botox into the nerves and muscles responsible for excessive underarm sweating to reduce the amount of sweat you produce.
5. Eye problems
Botox injections can help treat strabismus and eye twitching. Strabismus or crossed eyes is a misalignment of the eyes, resulting in one eye remaining focused while another eye deviates inwards towards your nose or outward.
Blepharospasm, also known as eye twitching or eyelid muscle spasms, is characterized by an abnormal contraction of your eyelid muscles, causing involuntary blinking.
Botox injections into your eyelids into your eyelid muscles can help realign your eyes or relieve frequent, involuntary blinking.
Contact Adult and Pediatric Dermatology today to schedule a consultation with a Botox treatment specialist.
