Beyond Beauty How Botox Is Making a Difference for Medical Conditions

By Mary Jane Bogle

Most of us are familiar with Botox, a revolutionary cosmetic treatment that reduces fine lines and facial wrinkles, often for months at a time. It’s been called one of the most successful cosmetic treatments on the market today, with millions of people receiving these injections every year.

What you may not realize is that Botox is also an effective treatment for medical issues, including migraines, excessive sweating, overactive bladder, and even TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders.

How It Works

The medicine in Botox is a purified toxin called botulinum. It is made from the same toxin that causes botulism, a form of food poisoning that relaxes muscles and can result in weakness and breathing troubles.

Botulinum disrupts the chemical signal that causes the muscles to contract, resulting in muscle relaxation. As a cosmetic treatment, Botox can only be administered by licensed professionals and must meet stringent medical control standards. These site-specific injections result in the temporary disappearance of facial lines and wrinkles and can last for months at a time.

Medical Uses

The good news for those suffering from migraines, bladder control, and TMJ, is that Botox also disrupts the pain pathways between the brain and nerves that extend from the spinal cord, providing much-needed relief from these conditions.

Migraines

Take those who suffer from migraines, for example. During a migraine headache, the body releases neurotransmitters, along with molecules that are associated with pain. The Botox injection interferes with the transmission of these substances, giving patients temporary relief from the debilitating pain they experience.

Licensed medical professionals inject the botulinum toxin into multiple areas around the head and neck. This form of treatment has been approved for people who are 18 and older and who experience multiple migraines each month.

Unlike its cosmetic application, however, Botox may take several weeks to take effect, and more than one session might be required to reduce the migraine frequency in certain patients.

TMJ

Botox has also been shown to help treat symptoms of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, including a reduction in jaw tension, headaches from teeth grinding, and even lockjaw. In fact, up to 90 percent of patients who participated in preliminary studies saw improvement when other, more conservative treatments, weren’t working.

Side Effects

Like any other medical treatment, Botox isn’t without its side effects, which can include headaches, flu-like symptoms, temporary eyelid drooping, redness and swelling at the injection site, along with temporary discomfort. Patients who are pregnant or are breastfeeding should avoid these injections, along with those who have certain allergies.

As always, it’s best to discuss any form of treatment with a medical profession before proceeding. a