Did you know that Botox is not just for ‘erasing’ wrinkles? This popular cosmetic product is also used to provide temporary relief for a variety of medical conditions. There are several FDA-approved medical uses of Botox available for many individuals, including children.
Below, we listed 7 of the medical applications of the best Botox North Hollywood has to offer. Keep reading and see if this is the treatment you might be looking for!
7 medical use of Botox
The following are approved medical uses of Botox that you should only get from a licensed and accredited physician:
1. Hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating
Sweating is a normal bodily process, but for some individuals, it can be a little too excessive. This condition is called hyperhidrosis, which often occurs on the palms, armpits, face, and feet.
The only FDA-approved use of Botox is for armpit hyperhidrosis, though some specialists go ‘off-label’ to treat other affected areas.
When injected into the muscles, Botox blocks the activities of the local sweat glands. This temporarily reduces sweating, providing relief to patients.
2. Strabismus or crossed eyes
Strabismus is a condition in which one eye turns in a different direction than the other. It usually affects children but can also occur in adults.
There are many remedies for strabismus, including eye patches, glasses, or surgery. The FDA also approved Botox to temporarily restore eye alignment.
Usually, a patient will only need one Botox injection, though some may require more, depending on their age and the severity of the condition.
3. Upper limb spasticity
Upper limb spasticity causes the arms to stiffen and flex, causing them to twitch or move uncontrollably. This often occurs due to stroke, injury, or disease in the nervous system. While it’s not life-threatening, upper limb spasticity can negatively impact a person’s life.
Good thing, FDA approved the use of Botox to provide relief to people experiencing upper limb spasticity. Once injected, Botox starts to relax the stiff arm muscles, allowing improved movements.
4. Chronic migraine
Chronic migraine is characterized by severe throbbing pain, usually on one side of the head. It’s also accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light and sound. A chronic migraine attack can last for about 4 to 72 hours without treatment.
To provide relief, the FDA approved Botox for the treatment of chronic migraine (CM) in 2010. Botox blocks pain transmission between the nerves and the brain to ease the pain. It’s usually injected around the head, neck, forehead, and temples, depending on where the headache originates.
5. Overactive bladder
An average person pees about 6 to 7 times a day. However, those with overactive bladder (OAB) may have the urge to urinate every 30 minutes, sometimes more than 10 times a day. Others may experience sleep disturbance as they have to get twice or more at night to pee.
The FDA approved the use of Botox to temporarily relieve those with OAB. The botulinum toxin helps relax the bladder muscles to reduce excessive urination. Still, you should remember that this is just a short-term solution, and further treatments are necessary to address the root cause of the problem.
6. Blepharospasm or eyelid spasm
Blepharospasm is a condition that causes an uncontrollable twitching of the eyelids. While eyelid twitching due to fatigue goes away on its own, blepharospasm persists and can cause the eyes to close completely. Other people with this condition may also suffer from twitches in other areas of the face.
When injected into the eyelid muscles, Botox can ease the twitching temporarily. This is approved for patients age 12 and older.
7. Cervical dystonia
Cervical dystonia causes the neck muscles to contract, leading to involuntary movements around the neck and head. It can cause a person’s neck and head to turn or bend uncontrollably.
Moreover, primary cervical dystonia is idiopathic, meaning the cause is unknown. On the other hand, secondary cervical dystonia has a known cause, such as traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s disease, and genetic mutation to name a few.
Regardless of the cause, Botox is often the first line of treatment for cervical dystonia, although temporary. Botox can help reduce the severity of the head’s abnormal position as well as the pain that comes with the condition.
Conclusion
Botox is not only changing lives through its cosmetic uses but also for a range of approved medical applications. If you’re experiencing any of the conditions we discussed above, make sure you consult your doctor first before trying any Botox treatments.
Above all, you should only get medical Botox treatments from licensed and accredited Medical SPA
