Botox is a safe form of the bacterium known as botulinum toxin type A. Initially approved in 1989 by the FDA as a treatment for eye muscle disorders, it's since been tested and approved for the treatment of several other conditions. It's generally administered via injections into specific muscles, providing temporary relief for several months up to a year.
Arthritis
The Mayo Clinic reports that some studies have been done that are promising for the use of Botox in the treatment of arthritis pain. Participants have obtained some relief and improvement in their overall symptoms after a series of injections into affected areas.
Muscle Spasms
When Botox is injected into specific muscles, it acts to relax the muscles and reduce contractions. Because of this effect, it has been widely used in treating several disorders that cause muscle spasms, including strabismus, or lazy eye; dystonia, where muscle contractions cause twisting and repetitive movements; and pediatric movement disorders. Treatments generally only take a few minutes, start working with days and can last for up to three months.
Pain
In a study published in the August 2009 issue of "Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery," it was reported that migraine sufferers who were treated with Botox had headache events drop by at least half if not more, with recurrent headaches being less severe. The process of how this works is still unclear, but it's thought the drug blocks sensory nerves that send pain messages to the brain.
Prostate
Men with enlarged prostates can have Botox injections directly into the prostate gland, resulting in improvement in urinary tract infections and frequent urination, as well as a shrinking of the gland itself. There are few side effects and results can last for up to a year.
Sweating Disorders
Botox is also used to treat hyperhidrosis, a disorder that causes excessive sweating in various parts of the body. Botox blocks the transmitter that the nerve endings secrete to produce sweat, resulting in temporary relief from symptoms for two to six months. It's mainly effective in treating cases of axillary, or armpit area, sweating and less effective on the hands and feet.
Wrinkles
Botox relaxes the overactive muscles whose repeated contractions cause lines used most often in facial expressions, like the forehead, brow line and crow's feet. Since there is a slight form of muscle paralysis with the procedure, Botox is less useful for the smile lines around the mouth due to the need of those muscles in eating and talking. Treatments take effect quickly and can last two to eight months, depending on the number of injections given.
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