Botox – Medical Indications
Botox injections are useful to treat medical condtions that are caused by muscular spasms
Common medical applications of Botox include the following:
- Botox is used to treat eye disorders such as Blepharospasms and Strabismus.
- Botulinum toxin B has been used to treat various forms of dystonia that affects the neck, face, voice box, or the smooth muscle in the bladder thereby controlling muscle spasm and pain. However, neurons generate new nerve endings that rekindle the dystonia, so the improvements do not last for long. Hence the treatment needs to be repeated every 3 to 4 months.
- Hyperhydrosis (excessive sweating) of the palms and underarms can be corrected with the help of Botox
- Head and neck tremors, facial spasms are being effectively treated by Botox.
- Botox has been used to treat a neurological disorder that affects the muscles of the larynx called spasmodic dysphonia
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- Also helpful in treating migraine headaches
- Botox is being considered as a treatment for fibromyalgia, a chronic condition characterized by fatigue and widespread pain.The FDA is yet to approve of its use.
- A new study, done at the University of Pittsburgh, reveals that Botox injections into the prostate brings relief from suffering, for men with enlarged prostate glands.
- Botox injections brings relief to women suffering from chronic pelvic floor spasm and pain. The symptoms of this condition are frequency or urgency in urination, painful intercourse, pelvic pain and heaviness.
- Botox can also treat hyper salivation (sialorrhaea)
- 10 units of Botox administered endoscopically can help in the treatment of Achalasia.
- Regulated doses of Botox, in combination with physical therapy, can bring about controlled partial muscle paralysis in children with Cerebral Palsy, by relaxing the spastic muscles. The drug is administered according to the body size of the child.
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However, the body develops anti-toxin antibodies and regeneration of the destroyed nerves takes place within 2 to 4 months. The usefulness of Botox is thus limited.
The National Institute of Health (NIH), cautions that the long term safety and efficacy of Botox are still being investigated, especially in children.
| Medical specialty | Disorder |
| Neurology | Cerebral palsy Migraine |
| Ophthalmology | Blepharospasms Strabismus |
| Urology | Overactive urinary bladder Prostate enlargement |
| Cosmetology | Glabellar lines ‘Laugh’ lines |
