When most of us think about bacteria, nothing pleasant comes to mind. They think about disease, plagues, epidemics, and everything in between. It might be shocking to some, but did you know that toxins from some of the deadliest bacteria have been found to have incredible therapeutic benefits? One of them happens to be the main reason for this article.
We’re talking about Botox, a neurotoxin that is derived from the botulism bacteria scientifically known as clostridium botulinum. Over the years, botulinum toxin has gained huge popularity, especially due to its applications in the medical and cosmetic industries. It has been used to treat a wide range of ailments and medical conditions, including muscle spasms, excessive sweating, bladder problems, sex pain, premature ejaculation, depression, anxiety, migraines, and much more.
But perhaps the major reason for the popularity of Botox is in the cosmetic industry, where it’s mainly used to remove wrinkles and get rid of fine lines and other signs of aging without the need for surgery. Michelle Schultz from VIVAA, a renowned institution that offers botox treatment in Bellevue, Washington, says that in wrinkle removal, Botox is injected into the skin using a syringe and needle and works by paralyzing the muscles beneath the affected skin, which are the main cause of wrinkle formation.
It’s a temporary solution but a very effective one in giving people the youthful glow that makes them feel more confident about themselves. It is also one of the few cosmetic procedures that are less invasive, meaning that you don’t have to worry about the risks and side effects of cosmetic surgery. But it pays to know that there are more than just a few other uses of botulinum toxin A apart from getting rid of aging signs. This having been mentioned, other than wrinkle removal, here are some other uses of botox you might not have known about.
Chronic Migraine Treatment
Chronic migraine has seen many people suffer and lack a way forward as a result of limited options for treatment. Luckily, in 2010 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of Botox as a treatment for chronic migraines in adults. People who suffer from migraine often experience intense pain in one area of the head, which could last for more than 14 days and could be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. This is such a painful and disturbing experience that hugely affects their everyday activities. Botox is injected to migraine patients in areas such as the neck, shoulders, and forehead, which are areas that feel the tension. By administering Botox, the strain on the nervous system and muscle tension are reduced, thus combating migraine headaches.
Premature Ejaculation and ED
Even though the FDA might have been reluctant in approving botox in the treatment of reproductive health issues, compelling evidence suggests it could help treat premature ejaculation. This is because botox has muscle relaxant properties, meaning that when injected into the penile muscle, it could help relax the penis tissues, leading to delayed ejaculation. Nonetheless, more research is still ongoing on the use of botox for premature ejaculation as well as erectile dysfunction.
Reduces Excessive Sweating
Sweating is a normal and crucial process of the body, which in humans, helps in the regulation of body temperature. When your body sweats excessively without strenuous activity, however, this could be a call for alarm. Also known as hyperhidrosis, excessive sweating can also be a huge source of discomfort. If you experience this kind of sweating in areas such as the head, hands, and armpits, there are various treatment options for you and botox is one of them. Research has actually shown that Botox injections are as much as 87% effective in treating excessive sweating. The botox injection treatment has been used on many people with hyperhidrosis and seen to improve their sweating condition by a huge margin. It works by preventing sweat glands from producing more sweat than normal.
Treatment Of Leaky Bladder
Finally, yet importantly, research shows that Botox has been an impactful treatment for overactive bladder issues. A Leaky bladder is caused by damage to the nerves that cause the bladder to contract, often disrupting the ability to retain urine in patients. The experience can be quite embarrassing as the leakage could happen when you least expect it. The discovery of botox’ effectiveness in treating bladder leak has had an impact on thousands of people who have been silently dealing with this condition for a long time. A past study reported that Botulinum Toxin A reduced urinary incontinence in 75 percent of women who were undertaking the injections. Botox leaky bladder treatment involves injecting the wonder toxin into the bladder, which works to relax the bladder so that it can hold more urine. The patient’s urge to urinate is reduced and so are their trips to the bathroom.
Relief From Painful Sex
Especially in women, the act that is supposed to give pleasure can turn out to be painful. While there are several causes of painful intercourse in women, it can also be caused by involuntary vaginal contractions and pelvic floor spasms, which may stem from a wide variety of factors. Thankfully, Botox is great at helping muscles relax and reducing disturbing muscular contractions. Many women have testified to enjoying sex without pain as long as they get botox injections at least twice annually or less frequently depending on their specific needs and their treating doctor’s advice.
In a nutshell, Botox has many uses other than treating wrinkles for a more youthful appearance. In addition to the uses mentioned above, Botox has also been found useful in treating crossed eyes, depression, and the cleft lip syndrome in babies, as well as severe neck spasms. All the same, it is important to note that botox shouldn’t be your first treatment options if you’re suffering from any of the above issues unless your doctor approves it first.
