Botox Injection Research Paper

Botox Injections

Botulinum toxin, also known as “Botox,” is a type of toxin injection used in modern medicine to reduce wrinkles and restore the aging face and body. There are two main types types: A and type B, which are used for treating disorders in the medical field which are available in various brands of botulinum injections including Botox, Xeomin, and Dysport. Skorin, (2004). Since 1989 the FDA approved botulinum injections for the treatment of facial wrinkles (as cited in Harvard Women’s Health p.3). Although the injections are popular for aesthetic use, however, they can also cause death or paralysis when consumed because of botulism poisoning which is produced from Clostridium botulinum bacteria. When botulinum is injected in small amounts, it prevents the body from releasing the acetylcholine that is essential for muscle contraction. It

decreases the muscles in the face and eliminates wrinkles. Botox is used by patients primarily when every other drug has failed. As Dr. Bonnie Hersh (2014) explains, a botulinum injection is effective for patients who have exhausted other possibilities (as cited in Harvard Women’s Health Watch p. 3). Botox injections are used in the treatment of overactive bladder, excessive perspiration or sweating, migraine headaches, blepharospasm, and dystonia (Skorin, 2004).
Botox injection is an effective method of controlling overactive bladder because it reduces frequent urination, increases the volume of urine the bladder can accommodate and increases the efficiency of the patient. Botulinum injection is expensive, compared compared to other drugs used for overactive bladder. Cerniauskiene and Jankevicius (2011) aserts that injection of botulinum toxin is an effective method of treatment for overactive bladder when the treatment with anticholinergic drugs are ineffective. This injection has a significant all-encompassing treatment.
In additon, excessive sweating is a disorder associated with the control of bodily heat and environmental conditions (Walling & Swick, 2011, p.286).

Botulinum injection reduces underarm sweating useful in the treatment of excessive sweating when deodorant fails. It is most effective in the armpits and on the palms and soles but it is less effective in the facial area. Nervertheless, safe and effective injection that blocks the release of sweat from the sweat glands by turning it off at the area where the injection is given. Mukherjee (2015) discusses the effectiveness of this toxin when employed in the treatment of excessive sweating.

Furthermore, botulinum injection reduces acute, severe headaches in patients who suffer from migraines. It also decreases the signs and symptoms triggered by migraine headaches, such as vomiting, nausea, and auditory sensitivity. This injection is usually given in the head for treatment. Dr. Skorin (2004) relates that the latest medical uses of botulinum injection is in the field of headache therapy and has been found to be effective in migraine and chronic daily headache (p.

58).
Blepharospasm on the other hand, is an uncontrolled tight closure of the eyelids or any pain in or around the eye (Murherjee, 2014). Botulinum injection can be used to treat blepharospasm by injecting it in the eyelid and muscles in the eyelid. The treatment lasts between three to four months, with dosages of small amounts with recurring treatments. Mukherjee (2014) posits that ninety percent of patients given botulinum treatment obtain complete relief of their condition.
Similarly, dystonia is a neurological condition that affects muscles in a given part of the body, causing uncontrolled muscular contractions and irregular postures (Murherjee, 2014). The parts of the body most often affected include fingers, elbows, and wrists as a result of spinal cord injury, as well as cerebral palsy and brain trauma (as cited in Harvard Women’s Health Watch p.3). This disorder is treated with botulinum injection by administering it under a layer of the skin, which weakens the muscle and thereby reducing involuntary muscular contraction. Murherjee (2014) argues that botulinum injection temporarily weakens the targeted muscle thus reducing the frequency of spasms.
In conclusion, overactive bladder control, excessive perspiration, migraine headaches, blepharospasm and dystonia are some of the many uses of botulinum toxin injection. Unfortunately, botulinum injection is known to be poisonous and dangerous to human life except in the treatment of facial wrinkles and lip fillers, its other uses for numerous disorders when other options have proved abortive have surprised the medical profession. Botox does provide relief for patients suffering from severe disorders. In fact, there is hope that the positive uses of botulinum toxin will continue to proliferate.