Botulinum toxin (botulinum toxin, botox) is widely known for its anti-wrinkle properties. Few people know that botulinum toxin has been used not only in aesthetic medicine, but also in medicine, e.g. in the treatment of strabismus, migraine, hyperhidrosis and problems with urination. Check in which ailments botox can help.
Contents:
- Botulinum toxin in medicine: application
- Neurology
- Bruxism
- Overactive bladder
- Migraine
- Zez
- Hyperhidrosis
- Botulinum toxin: contraindications
Botulinum toxin(botulinum toxin, colloquiallybotox ) this is also differentbotulinum toxin- toxin produced by bacteria of the genusClostridium botulinum . There are several types of toxin, marked with letters from A to G, howeveris used in medicineonly for type A toxin.
It works mainly by blocking nerve impulses that lead to muscle contraction, which results in their temporary paralysis. This property was discovered in the 1970s, when botox was first used to treat strabismus. Its well-known anti-wrinkle properties were discovered much later, in the 90s of the last century, and additionally by accident - when using the toxin in hemiplegia.
Botulinum toxin in medicine: application
Neurology
Botox is used primarily in the treatment of numerous diseases of the nervous system, including dystonia, the essence of which are involuntary, locally limited muscle contractions. Botulinum toxin can alleviate, among others, Eyelid cramps, neck cramps or half-facial cramps.
Botulinum is also used to treat multiple sclerosis. As with dystonia, it implies a perineural block, and hence - alleviates the symptoms of the disease. For this effect to last, the intramuscular injections should be repeated approximately every 3 months.
The effect of botulinum toxin on the neuromuscular junction has also been used in the treatment of muscle spasticity (a type of increased muscle tension), e.g. in the course of cerebral palsy, after stroke, after brain injuries andof the spinal cord as well as in Hallervorden-Spatz disease, Huntignton's disease (chorea) and Parkinson's disease. In these cases, botulinum toxin helps, among others improve the quality of gait and facilitate the performance of daily activities. In addition, it reduces the pain, frequency and strength of muscle tension.
Unfortunately, botulinum toxin does not help with generalized muscle dysfunction (eg, myasthenia or Eaton-Lambert syndrome). It is also not used in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Bruxism
Bruxism refers to the involuntary and excessive activity of the masseter muscles, which manifests itself in the clenching and grinding of the teeth while sleeping. This can lead to abrasion of the enamel and further destruction of the teeth, as well as other pathologies within the temporomandibular joint.
Then botulinum toxin can be injected into the masseter and temporal muscles, which will reduce the strength of the cheek muscles. The effects are noticeable after about 3 days after the treatment and last for about half a year. It should be noted that this is only a method supporting the treatment of bruxism, the cost of which is about PLN 2,000. PLN.
Esophageal Achalasia
Esophageal achalasia is a disease whose essence is the narrowing of the esophageal sphincter (it should properly open while swallowing food). One of the methods of treating this disease is botox, which relaxes the muscles of the esophagus and causes them to relax, thus opening the esophagus while eating.
Overactive bladder
Urologists use botulinum toxin to treat urgent urinary incontinence (the so-called overactive bladder). After injecting it into the bladder wall, the spontaneous contractions of this organ are stopped, and thus - control over urination is restored. This effect lasts up to a year after the treatment. It should be noted that it is performed as a last resort, when previous therapies did not bring results.
Migraine
Botulinum toxin is also a remedy for chronic migraine. In this case, it is treated as a long-acting pain reliever. At the beginning of the procedure, the patient determines which parts of the face and head muscles are causing the pain responsible for the migraine. The doctor then injects them with botox to relax them, possibly stopping the transmission of pain information to the brain.
The blockage of nerve endings lasts for 4-6 months, and the first effects are noticeable a week after the treatment. In some patients the pain disappears completely, in others its intensity is minimized or its duration is much shorter. Of this typethe procedure is performed in aesthetic dermatology clinics and costs about 2,000. PLN.
Zez
In people with strabismus, the external muscles of the eye cause the eyeball to deviate from the correct visual axis, which results in incorrect vision. Botulinum injections relax the shrunken oculomotor muscles and thus the knobs are positioned correctly.
Hyperhidrosis
After the botox injection, the nerve impulse reaching the sweat glands is blocked (so-called neuroglandular conduction is blocked). As a consequence, the activity of the glands is not stimulated, and thus the sweat production is stopped. The first effects are visible after 3-4 days after the procedure, and the reduction of sweat secretion (even by 80%) takes place after about 2-4 weeks after the injections. This condition usually lasts 5 to 9 months after the procedure. The cost of one treatment is approx. PLN 2,000. PLN.
CHECK>> The treatment with botox should be abandoned primarily by pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as people with coagulation disorders (and taking anticoagulants) and hypersensitive to the ingredients of the preparation. Botulinum toxin is also not used in children under 12 years of age (except for some neurological and ophthalmic indications). People with skin diseases or injuries are also disqualified. Please note that Botox should not be used with certain medications, incl. aminoglycoside antibiotics and antispasmodics.Botulinum toxin in medicine: contraindications