Botox is a lot of different things. At its worst, it’s a dangerous toxin that you should not ingest. Most people know it as a tool for cosmetic care; a Beverly Hills botox procedure can have you looking youthful and invigorated. What few people know, though is that Botox has a wide variety of different potential medical applications. In one of our previous blogs, we discussed the promising effects Botox might have on depression; it seems that simply by virtue of smiling (Botox can be used to freeze the frowning muscles), the symptoms of depression might be lessened. While studies on this were inconclusive, there are a myriad of other potential applications for Botox.
Some people sweat too much from their armpits; these folks are usually prescribed antiperspirants, but sometimes they don’t work properly. For these folks, Botox can be an excellent solution; when injected in the nerves near the underarm, it can be used to stop an overactive nerve from triggering too much sweat. What’s nice about this option is that the treatment is localized, so only problem areas are targeted.
There are also a variety of promising studies that show Botox can help alleviate symptoms of other health problems, though these methods are not yet FDA approved. Botox may be able to help people with severely cold hands; this is usually caused by constricted blood flow, which can be mitigated by relaxing surrounding muscles. Another promising area is cleft lips; paralyzing the muscles around the cleft lip can help a baby recover after the surgery to repair it, because there’s less tension around the newly repaired lip.
Why is Botox being used in so many clinical trials and treatments? The reason lies in its safety, which may come as a surprise to some. Ingesting Botox is dangerous; the drug is derived from a toxin that makes the illness botulism. When injected by a professional, however, it can be used to very effectively target select muscles and nerves, without causing any harm to nearby systems. There are always possible risks; allergic reactions and the like are possible with any drug. That said, Botox seems a safe, effective and versatile way of dealing with a myriad of illness; it’s a bit of a wonder drug!
