There's more to Botox than vanity

There's more to Botox than vanity

Botulinum toxin is increasingly being used to treat a number of ailments, such as migraines, muscle spasms and over-active bladders

SOCIAL & LIFESTYLE

Botox is a purified form of botulinum toxin, a nerve poison produced by the same bacteria that causes botulism. Injections of the drug act like minuscule poison darts that temporarily blunt chemical nerve signals to certain muscles or glands, reducing their activity. It's less than two decades since the American FDA approved it for the "treatment of glabellar frown lines", but since then Botox has become one of the words, such as "Kleenex", "Band-Aid" or "Xerox", that we use with amazing regularity.  

But, because it's so famous for freezing wrinkles, botulinum toxin's other uses have been overshadowed. Although that seems to be changing, in the race to discover the next medical breakthrough use for the powerful neurotoxin, scientists have injected it experimentally into muscles and glands all over the body, making it medicine's answer to Scotch tape. Doctors are now using it to treat chewing problems, drooling, excessive sweating, pelvic muscle spasms, baldness, anal fissures and even pain from missing limbs. In fact, with the popularisation of new medical uses, the therapeutic applications of botulinum toxin is poised to outstrip its use in cosmetic treatments in both revenue and prominence.

One of the main "non-cosmetic" complaints that doctors are administering botulinum toxin injections for is to combat migraine attacks. The drug is thought to eliminate migraines by reducing muscle tension and thus creating less strain on the nervous system. Physicians usually inject it into the neck and shoulders. The drug has been so successful in treating migraine sufferers that the company that holds the patent, Allergan, plans to seek FDA approval to market the drug for chronic migraine headaches in the US. Nonetheless, many doctors are not waiting for federal sanction to inject botulinum toxin and are already giving it to migraine patients. However it should be pointed out that botulinum toxin is considered to be a preventive, not abortive, medication for debilitating migraine headaches.

Other widespread uses include helping people that are cursed with a "gummy" smile, when the upper lip rises too far above the upper teeth when smiling. Injection of the drug into the upper lip weakens the upper lip's retractor muscles so that it doesn't rise as high and keeps the upper gum covered. One use that is especially good in hot countries like Thailand is to counter excessive sweating. People plagued with severe sweating can turn off the tap by having botulinum toxin injections in the underarm areas every six to 12 months.

Four years ago, the American FDA approved the use of botulinum toxin for treating the overactive bladders of people with multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury. The drug is injected into a patient's bladder, where it relaxes the muscles and allows more urine to be stored. Another common use is treating people suffering from strabismus, commonly known as crossed eyes or a squint. Botulinum toxin is injected into one of the eye muscles as a treatment option, usually if a squint develops rapidly without an obvious cause. The injection weakens the injected muscle for a period of time, which allows the eye to realign itself. Botulinum toxin injections in the eyes will also treat uncontrollable blinking.  

Other complaints that are being answered with a blast of botulinum toxin include muscle spasms, tennis elbow, teeth-grinding and Bell's palsy (the drooping of the side of a person's face because of nerve problems). The powerful little neurotoxin is fast becoming a major player in the arsenal of medicines with innovative physicians using it to provide treatment for an abundance of ailments.


Dr Nantapat Supannachart, a founder of Apex Profound Beauty, is an American Board-certified dermatologist and laser surgeon. Tel 085-000-2001.

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