When you think of Botox, you may
tend to think of a product used only for cosmetic correction. There are the typical, highly
sought after, cosmetic enhancements that Botox provides such as skin lifting
and wrinkle reduction. However, there are other great therapeutic uses for Botox. The procedures
that you may not know about are the use of Botox to decrease migraines,
excessive sweating (a condition known as Hyperhidrosis), and relieve chronic
muscle tension. If you’re an individual
who sweats even the small stuff, clenches their teeth, or carries stress in
your head neck and shoulders, a trip to a Botox specialist may provide benefits
you have not found with other treatments with fewer side effects and decreased
wait time for relief.
If you experience Hyperhidrosis,
you are not alone. According to authors Haider, Solish, and Lowe, an actual
standard of what excessive sweating actually is has not been developed.
However, the general clinical presentations are concentrated in areas of the
palms of the hands, underarms, and face. They state because no standard has
been defined, it is reasonable to diagnose the condition in patients by report
of excessive sweating that inhibits the patient’s daily life and activities (Haider, Solish, & Lowe, 2005) .
The treatment with
Botox for Hyperhidrosis is relatively simple and will start with a starch
iodine test. The starch and iodine
interact in the presence of sweat to develop a purplish color. This purple area
identifies the areas where the Botox will be injected. The Botox injections
result in a localized, prolonged, yet reversible, decrease in cholinergic
transmission, which results in less sweat production. Since the treatment is
local and not systemic, you have no side effects such as dry mouth, dry eyes, blurred
vision, constipation, urinary retention, and palpitations that some patients
have reported with oral agents. The pain
associated with the injections has been reported as minimal and can be further
minimized with the use of a topical anesthetic. The Botox treatment lasts for
approximately 6-7 months.
Botox blocks not only the release
of acetylcholine from vesicles in nerve terminals, but also has been shown to
inhibit the release from nerve endings of pain –mediating neurotransmitter and
blocking of peripheral sensitization and indirect reduction of central
sensitization. According to authors Smith
and Alam, “increasingly, it appears that complex . . . initiated central
nervous system modifications may be crucial elements of the pain relief cascade”
(Smith & Alam, 2005) .
These treatments have proven to be beneficial
to patients who have not demonstrated
improvement from preventive pharmacotherapy or experiences side effects
from medications that are considered intolerable or the use of medications are
contraindicated with the specific patient. “In addition, Botox therapy may
simply be preferable and less expensive or have fewer side-effects than other
treatments and so be considered for first-line therapy” (Smith & Alam, 2005) . However, it’s best to
note that treatment with Botox will usually control and not cure headaches. And although a skilled botox professional can
administer the Botox injections, a patient should continue to work with their
primary care physician for management of medications and investigations of the
ideology of the headaches.
The various
sites that are typically injected are areas near your temples, the back of your
head at the base of the skull, the crown of the skull, areas between the
shoulder blades, and other areas of targeted muscle groups and foci of
discomfort collaborated with the patient.
Again, you won’t have to go through more pain to experience pain relief.
Botox can be mixed with a preservative and has local anesthetic
properties. The amount of time between
needed re-treatment varies between individuals.
In conclusion, although many
individuals know Botox primarily for cosmetic purposes, there is an increase
use of the treatment for non-cosmetic pain syndromes and manifestations of stress. These treatments have been proven to be safe,
effective, and expedient ways to treat excessive sweating, headaches, and
chronic pain due to muscle tension. If you have been experiencing and suffering with any of these debilitating
conditions check in with a physician office that specializes in Botox
administration and see if they can help you become a healthier, happier you!
Amanda Logan
RN
LifeSpan
Clinic
2000 Plymouth
Rd
Suite 230
Minnetonka,
MN 55305
Phone
952-546-5322
References
Haider, A., Solish, N., & Lowe, N. (2005).
Management of Hyperhidrosis. In A. Carruthers, J. Carruthers, J. S. Dover,
& A. Murad, Procedures in Cosmetic Dermatology: Botulinum Toxin (pp.
91-100). Philadelphia: Elsevier.
Smith, K. C., & Alam, M. (2005). Botulinum Toxin
for Pain Relief and Treatment of Headache. In A. Carruthers, & J.
Carruthers, Procedures in Cosmetic Dermatology: Botulinum Toxin (pp.
101-111). Philedelphia: Elsevier.
