All you need to know about the use of Botox as a treatment for specific health conditions is explained in this article. In addition to that, the use of Botox for approved medical use as well as for off-label use and other associated issues are also discussed.

Botox for treatment
The use of Botox as a treatment for specific health conditions is related to its being a neurotoxin. Botox is prepared from the botulinum toxin, which in turn is derived from bacteria known as Clostridium botulinum. The bacteria by itself is harmless. When it starts propagating, it produces the toxin.

The toxin works on the neurological system. It prevents the neuron cells and does not allow them to function in the proper manner. Interestingly, botulinum is such a powerful toxin that it is estimated that 1 gram of this toxin can kill a million people.

Its use needs to be monitored by medical professionals who will inject it in very low concentrations to prevent its poisonous effect.

How it works
When botox is injected, it works by blocking signals from the nerves. These are the signals that act on the muscles causing spasms and other such conditions. This helps to stop spasms and relax muscles providing relief from symptoms.

In most conditions, the muscles contract causing spasms. When botox is injected, it prevents the muscle from contracting.

Approved uses
After extensive research, the use of botox for treatment has been approved for the following conditions:

• Blepharospasm or twitching of eyelids
• Cervical dystonia or spasms and pain in the neck region
• Hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating in the underarms and other areas
• Strabismus or squint eyes

Off-label uses
Botox is used to treat multiple medical conditions. These are known as off-label uses as the use of botox for treating these conditions is not approved by the FDA. The conditions where botox is used for unapproved treatments are:

• Cerebral palsy
• Tremors
• Chronic migraine
• Drooling and excessive salivation
• Dysphonia
• Tourette’s syndrome and other facial tics
• Overactive bladder
• Stuttering
• Tennis elbow

In all these cases, botox has proved to be helpful in treating the problem but its use is not approved by the FDA.

Things to know
There are certain things that one must know about the use of botox for treatment. Knowing this will help in understanding whether you should opt for treatment through botox.

• There are risks in the usage of botox. Side effects like pain, bruises, drooling, or drying up of the eye can occur. Loss of bladder control, difficulty swallowing, and weakness in the muscles are side effects that very rarely may occur.
• Botox must always be administered by an experienced doctor.
• Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding and those allergic to cow’s milk should avoid its use.
• It is not a permanent treatment and its effects are temporary. Follow-up dosages are needed.

The use of botox as a treatment for specific health conditions for approved and off-label uses presented in this article will help you understand more about its use.