The Botulinum Toxin A protein, also known as Botox, has been used since its discovery in the early 1990s for various medical purposes. Botox is the most frequently used cosmetic treatment today with hundreds of thousands of Botox injections performed each year. Botox has also been increasingly used in the medical field, most prominently for strabismus, blepharospasm, and chronic migraine.
Botox was initially developed to treat strabismus (crossed eyes) and blepharospasm (uncontrolled blinking). Botox is now also used for treating chronic migraine headaches, spastic muscle disorders, cervical dystonia, upper limb spasticity after stroke, and overactive bladder. Botulinum toxin was approved by the FDA in 2002 as Botox Cosmetic to temporarily improve the appearance of moderate-to-severe frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines). Botox Cosmetic was approved for adults over the age of 18. Botox Cosmetic is now also FDA-approved to treat uncontrolled blinking in patients with hemifacial spasm and cervical dystonia (severe neck muscle spasms).
Botulinum toxin has also been used off-label by physicians for various other conditions, such as: chronic pelvic pain, hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), severe underarm sweating, and other conditions involving excessive muscle activity. Botulinum toxin injections have been used as a way of reducing nicotine cravings in individuals with schizophrenia or Alzheimer’s disease who smoke.
Botox is a purified form of botulinum toxin that is used in various concentrations depending on the specific use and doctor’s recommendations. Botox has 22 Botulinum toxin serotypes, but Botox Cosmetic typically only contains Botulinum toxin A. Botulinum toxin type A is a neurotoxin protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum that causes Botulism.
Botox has been shown to be effective at relieving urinary incontinence in both men and women. Botox injections are performed by injecting Botox into the bladder muscle. Botox injections may be performed until urinary incontinence resolves or up to a maximum of 12 Botox treatments in one year.
The most common side effects associated with Botox are urinary tract infection, blood in the urine, painful urination, and fever. Botulinum Toxin A protein is not absorbed by the body so any side effects are local to the bladder. Botox has also been known to cause temporary incontinence while it wears off. As Botox is a foreign protein, the patient’s immune system will recognize Botox as a threat, creating antibodies that fight Botox in order to protect the body from Botox poisoning. Botulinum Toxin A has no known effect on fertility or pregnancy.
If you’re looking for Botox Treatments in Huntsville, Alabama, be sure to do your research and contact a dermatologist or other healthcare provider to learn more about treatments.