Botox never ceases to amaze. Just when you think it’s nothing more than a popular injectable to smooth facial lines and wrinkles, another use for Botox is discovered. Below are some of the more surprising uses for Botox.
- When life is a headache. Life can be a chronic headache at times, and many people suffer migraines directly linked to highly stressful lives. But did you know that Botox injections have been found to ease the pain of migraines? It’s just one of the many new medical uses for Botox.
- Never let them see you sweat. The old antiperspirant commercial made us smile, but Botox has been found to turn off the spigot on over-active sweat glands. Doctors say the problem, known as hyperhidrosis (profuse sweating), is caused by blocked nerve impulses to the brain telling it to switch off the sweat glands. Botox somehow is able to resolve the problem so you stay dry.
- When you gotta go… You gotta go. Your body can’t help it. You have an overactive bladder, and the urge to urinate is overpowering at the most inopportune moments. For those who don’t make it, they have an accident. Embarrassing, to say the least. An estimated 20 percent of people have urinary incontinence, mostly women over 40. Who would’ve thought Botox helps ease the symptoms of overactive bladder, nocturia (having to go often at night), frequent urination, or urinary incontinence? A 2012 study found that Botox injected into the bladder helps control the urge to pee.
Botox to the rescue
Ever since the FDA approved the cosmetic use of Botox, researchers have been finding its muscle numbing effects useful in the treatment of a variety of disorders. To name a few more:
- Uncontrollable blinking
- Neck pain
- Eye twitch
- Muscle tremors
- Neuralgia – intense shooting pain along the nerve pathways that are sometimes associated with shingles, nerve damage, or trauma
- Involuntary muscle contractions and cramping
- Loss of muscle control suffered by patients diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis
- Bell’s Palsy – a neurological disorder that causes facial droop
Wait, there’s more good news for Botox
Researchers are now finding that Botox may have the added benefit of inhibiting emotions that may be useful in the treatment of chronic depression. The jury is still out on this clinical application of Botox but it’s worth noting. Botox, it seems, is more than just a tool for plastic surgeons. It’s a virtual panacea of medical intervention. As with any pharmaceutical, however, Botox has risks and potential side effects and should only be administered by a qualified practitioner.
Despite its many and varied uses, Botox is still perhaps best known for its ability to improve one’s facial appearance by minimizing dynamic wrinkles like frown lines and crow’s feet. You can find out more about the cosmetic benefits of Botox through consultation with a board-certified facial plastic surgeon.
Dr. Andrew Campbell is a double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Quintessa Medical Spa located at 10604 N. Port Washington Road, Mequon, WI and at 2124 Kohler Memorial Drive in Sheboygan, WI. He can be reached at (262) 242-7772 or (920) 458-7772 for a personal consultation.
