5 Surprising Uses for Botox

Botox, the go-to solution for anti-aging today, has a host of other benefits not widely advertised. In fact, long before Botox became the gold standard in wrinkle reduction, it was used in the medical realm to treat a myriad of conditions. Today, use of Botox continues to expand as doctors and scientists discover even more potential benefits in both the medical and the aesthetic industry. Check out these five surprising uses for Botox you may have never heard of before.

Migraines

People that suffer from severe migraines may find relief with regular Botox injections. Migraines are painful headaches that are usually accompanied by vision disturbances, nausea and sensitivity to sounds and smells. Those that deal with migraines regularly frequently have to miss work and other activities to deal with their condition.

Strategic injections into areas of the head and neck effectively paralyze specific nerves that lead to the onset of these debilitating headaches. Botox is usually recommended for patients that suffer from 15 or more migraines per month because it can significantly reduce that number and give sufferers a much higher quality of life.

Eye Disorders

Botox has been found to work well on two different types of eye disorders; cross eyes and uncontrollable eye twitching, known as blepharospasm. Injections of the medication have actually reversed cross eyes for many patients and have successfully relaxed the nerves around the eye that lead to persistent twitching.

The medication has been used as an eye treatment since the 1980s. In fact, it was during these treatments that physicians discovered Botox was also effective in smoothing away wrinkles around the eyes and forehead.

Cervical Dystonia

Cervical dystonia is a painful condition where involuntary muscle spasms cause the head and neck to turn in different ways. Botox was approved to treat this condition in 2000, by relaxing the muscles that lead to the dystonia. Due to its success in this area, Botox is also under study as a treatment for other types of muscle spasticity, including upper limb spasticity that impacts the muscles in the arm.

Excessive Sweating

Hyperhidrosis is a condition that causes excessive sweating, often in the armpits but also on the palm, soles and scalp. While this condition is not usually serious, it can lead to significant embarrassment. Botox helps patients effectively manage hyperhidrosis by blocking signals from the brain to the sweat glands. The medication was approved by the FDA in 2004 to treat underarm sweating, but it has also been used off-label by some physicians to treat excessive sweating of the hands and even the scalp.

Overactive Bladder

Urinary incontinence due to an overactive bladder is another condition that can lead to significant embarrassment and loss of enjoyment in life. Botox injections can now be injected directly into the bladder muscle, relaxing the muscle so there is less leakage. The injections also take away the constant pressure to urinate, making many sufferers much more comfortable overall.

When Botox is used for medicinal purposes, the effects often last much longer than they do when it is used for cosmetic reasons. However, the results are always temporary and injections will need to be repeated to maintain results. If you are interested in learning more about this amazing wrinkle treatment, contact New Visage at 252-808-2NEW.