Uses of Botulinum.

 

Uses

The first thing to know about Botulinum is that it always does the same thing no matter where it’s used. This substance is from a bacterium called Clostridium botulinum.

There are different types of botulinum toxin products (toxin A and B) with different uses (eye problems, muscle stiffness/spasms, migraines, cosmetic, overactive bladder). Different brands of this medication deliver different amounts of medication. Your doctor will choose the correct product for you. Top commercial brands include Dysport, Xeomin, Botox, Azzalure, Kybella, Supartz

Uses of Botulinum toxin include certain eye disorders such as crossed eyes (strabismus) and uncontrolled blinking (blepharospasm). To treat muscle stiffness/spasms or movement disorders (such as cervical dystonia, torticollis), And to reduce the cosmetic appearance of wrinkles. It also prevents headaches in people with very frequent migraines. Botulinum toxin relaxes muscle by blocking the release of a chemical called acetylcholine.

Another use of Botulinum is on an overactive bladder by patients who do not respond to or who cannot tolerate the side effects of other medications. Also, it helps to reduce leaking of urine, the feeling of needing to urinate right away, and frequent trips to the bathroom.

It also treats severe underarm sweating and drooling/excess saliva. Botulinum toxin works by blocking the chemicals that turn on the sweat and salivary glands.

Botulinum toxin is not a cure, and your symptoms will gradually return as the medication wears off.

1. Crossed eyes 

Also known as strabismus, Crossed eyes is another use for Botox.

It can be a childhood congenital issue or can occur from trauma, such as blunt trauma to the eye area. While crossed eyes can be fixed with surgery, sometimes people get Botox first to relax the muscles and see how the uncrossed eye will look.

People with strabismus who don’t want to undergo eye surgery can use Botox to relax their eye muscles as a longer-term solution as well.

2. Chronic migraines 

In 1992, a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon named Dr. William Binder gave people Botox for migraines, they reported fewer headaches. Allergan later tested the drug on people with chronic migraines, and Botox was approved for the disorder in 2010. Some doctors question whether the drug is truly effective for migraines, or whether placebo effect deserves the credit.

3. Excessive underarm sweating 

Patients being treated for facial spasms with botox tend to sweat less, scientists at Allergan and outside of the company began studying whether Botox could be a successful therapy for people with a condition called severe primary axillary hyperhidrosis. Botox was approved for the treatment in 2004. Some people also use Botox to treat overly sweaty hands and feet.

4. Overactive bladder

Botox was one of the most impactful treatments for overactive bladder, says In one study About 70% of women treated with Botox reported about three leaks a day, compared with the average of five leaks a day at the start of the study. But there’s a catch. Sometimes, Botox can shut down the bladder too much, and people may need to use a catheter

5. Depression 

Botox may alleviate symptoms in people with depression. The mechanism is on what’s called the facial feedback hypothesis, which holds that a person’s facial expressions can influence their mood. One small 2014 study of 74 people with major depressive disorder found that 52% of people who received Botox reported a drop in symptoms six weeks later. Unlike with 15% of the people given a placebo. Allergan is currently conducting clinical trials to see if Botox can treat depression.

6. Premature ejaculation

Injecting Botox into the penis might relax the muscle and delay ejaculation; Allergan is currently testing Botox for this issue. The company also holds a patent for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, which is currently in a third-party clinical trial.

7. Abnormal heartbeat 

Allergan is exploring Botox as a therapy to prevent abnormal heartbeat patterns after open-heart surgery (called postoperative atrial fibrillation). “After having a drug on the market for 27 years, and having a good understanding of the safety profile.

8. Severely cold hands 

At the Cold Hand Clinic at the University of Chicago. Doctors use Botox off-label to treat people with very cold hands. Botox is injected into a person’s hand in order to relax muscles that surround constricted blood vessels, the course of poor circulation. When the vessels relax and enlarge, blood flows through the hand and into the fingertips, providing symptom relief. Doctors say the treatment can last up to three months.

9. Cleft lip scars in babies 

Every year, about 2,650 babies are born with a cleft palate, and 4,440 are born with a cleft lip. Many undergo surgery. Some doctors will inject the infants’ scars with Botox in order to hold the muscles still and allow it to heal. This can greatly improve the appearance of the scars. uses of botulinum

10. Painful sex 

Some women experience muscle spasms on their pelvic floor or contractions of the vagina that can make sex painful. Botox injections can ease pain by making the muscles stop contracting. Doctors at the Cleveland Clinic who offer Botox injections for painful sex say some women may need injections every six months,.While others may only need them every couple of years.

11. Severe neck spasms 

Allergan got approval for the drug in 2000. For use in treating a disorder called cervical dystonia. Which is characterized by abnormal head position and severe neck pain.