Botox is a botulinum toxin extracted from clostridium botulinum, a type of bacterium that causes a type of food poisoning known as botulism. Botox can be used therapeutically to cure muscular conditions though it is primarily used cosmetically to get rid of wrinkles. Botox has many other benefits and can be used to treat various health conditions, including the following:

1. Migraine relief
One in seven people suffer from migraine headaches, making them one of the most familiar types of headaches in the world. Migraine headaches can be excruciating and can affect day to day activities, especially if you suffer from them chronically. Many treatments, like triptan medicines, anti-inflammatory drugs, and pain killers are commonly prescribed to ease migraine pain. However, botox injections have proven to be a very effective migraine treatment as well. Botox injections for migraine headache relief are approved by the FDA to be administered to patients suffering from chronic migraines. Chronic migraines are defined as migraines that occur for 15 days or more in a single month. Migraine doctors inject 30-35 shots into the patient’s scalp, forehead, shoulders, neck, temples and other facial areas. The site of injection is usually determined by the type of pain the patient is experiencing. Botox injections are repeated every 12 weeks to sustain relief. If you suffer from chronic migraines, talk to your doctor about a referral to a migraine specialist.

2. Overactive bladder
Botox can now be used to treat an overactive bladder and is considered a last resort treatment option for individuals suffering from this condition. An injection into the bladder is used to treat and reduce urgency incontinence by relaxing the muscles associated with urination. Physicians resort to botox when this condition is untreatable through exercise and behavioral therapies. Botox has been proven to reduce overactive bladder symptoms and improve patient quality of life by approximately 70 to 75%.

3. Hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis is a medical term that refers to excessive and abnormal sweating, such as sweating profusely without physical exertion. This is a very uncomfortable condition that’s often related to an underlying health condition (i.e., thyroid issues, hormones, or diabetes). Botox is the last resort for hyperhidrosis patients when prescription antiperspirants do not work. Individuals who sweat excessively have hyperactive sweat glands and botox injections work by blocking the nerve pathways responsible for activating the sweat glands. The injections are administered directly to the affected parts of your body (i.e., underarms, etc.).

4. Parkinson’s disease
Botox can be successfully used to treat Parkinson’s disease symptoms like dystonia, tremors, drooling and urinary incontinence. It is particularly effective in treating dystonia, a condition caused by a muscle contraction or a group of muscles and can be excruciatingly painful. Botulinum injections are administered directly to the affected muscles causing them to relax, easing the pain.

5. Lazy eyes
Ophthalmologists have effectively used botox injections to treat conditions that affect vision like lazy eyes, drooping eyelids, eyelid twitching, and excessive tearing. Strabismus or lazy eye refers to a state where there is an imbalance of strength in muscles that keep the eye moving in unison, leading to a cross-eyed appearance. Doctors inject Botox into the stronger eye muscle, making it relax, giving the weaker muscle time to recover. Botulinum injections are provided as a last resort when other treatments do not work.