Botox is usually known for all its rage in the cosmetic industry, with 18 million people in the United States alone having gone under the knife in 2018 for cosmetic purposes. When people hear Botox, the first thing they think of is anti-aging—but Botox injections are so much more than agents that keep wrinkles and crow’s feet away.
Recently, Botox—or Botulinum Toxin—injections have been increasingly used for muscle and neurological disorders, which branch out to problems in impaired movement. Botox has been used to help patients with muscle overactivity and dystonia, a neurological disorder that leads to several physical ailments.
And there’s far more magic that Botox can do!
Chronic Migraines
Migraines are a common complaint in the world, with every 1 in 7 people around the world being affected by these painful headaches. Its debilitating effects make a person easily dependable on other people, especially if the complaint is chronic. Botox injections are one way of solving the problem: the muscles in the temples, the back of the head, and the forehead region are the sites of pain when you’re having a migraine. A Botox injection administered in these areas results in muscular paralysis, numbing these trouble-making muscles for good.
Hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis—or excessive sweating—affects 2.8% of the population in the U.S. Not only is it an annoying condition to have, but it’s also completely uncontrollable and often affects your self-confidence.
No matter the strength of the antiperspirant you use, this isn’t something you can control. But Botox can help you control it by blocking and numbing the sweat glands. You’ll need to visit the doctor every year to see if you need more injections, but the effectiveness of the injection is out of the question.
Incontinence
Incontinence (overactive bladders) are something women commonly have to experience, especially in the wake of pregnancies or menopause. Botox injections help keep the additional pressure on the bladder at bay by relaxing the muscles in the bladder. No more frequent bathroom breaks, ladies!
Spasms and Other Muscle Disorders
Botox is great at two things: blocking chemical signals between muscles and the brain and relaxing contracted muscles. Both of these qualities come in handy when treating someone with muscle spasticity or dystonia.
It helps with twitching eyelids, drooling, lazy eyes, and more. Medical practitioners have been using the powerful neurotoxin to treat dystonia, hemifacial spasm, orofacial dyskinesias, and blepharospasm.
If you’re based in Los Angeles and are looking for a reliable neurologist who can administer Botox injections for your dystonia complaint, reach out to Dr. Farzin Pedouim today. He is a movement disorders specialist practising in L.A. and Huntington Beach, and can be reached at (949) 239-4410.
