One recent and popular way of treating this problem is by the injection of botox in various points into the musculature of the over active bladder, to weaken the muscles so the sudden involuntary contraction of the bladder muscles is much lessened.  Following is a video view through a cystoscope showing how botox treatment of over active bladder is done.

A cystoscope is inserted under anesthesia through the urethra or urinary passage into the bladder with the bladder fully distended with water. Close to about 100 units of botox are injected into 20 to 30 points in the muscular wall of the bladder. Effect comes on about 4 days after the botox injection. The desired effect is a massive reduction in the uncontrollable urge to pass urine and the ability to control the urine till a convenient time.

The exact cause of this overactive bladder problem is not known, but it is seen that some medications that block the effect of acetylcholine on the bladder wall muscles, thus reducing the abnormal bladder contractions that characterise an over active bladder. The unfortunate problem is that most of the medications that can work to reduce the overactivity of the bladder also have side effects such as mouth dryness, constipation, blurry vision, urinary retention and heartburn.

The botox procedure is relatively simple. A scope is inserted into the urethra with the patient under sedation so that the inside of the bladder wall can be seen. Small injections of botox are made into the bladder’s muscle wall.  Usually a total of 20 to 30 injections are given, with a total dose of about 100 units of botox. The whole procedure takes about 30 minutes to complete.

The beneficial effect comes on about 2 to 7 days after the injections. Most patients notice a more controllable and calmer bladder with obviously less urgency. Effects last anywhere between 6 to 9 months, after which the patient can have repeat injections for his over active bladder.

The above illustrates one of the medical uses of botox injection.  For non-medical uses or cosmetic uses of botox injection, please click on the link.

Bladder Cystoscopy

It is estimated that between 300 million and 400 million people in the world suffer from migraine headaches.  Because of these numbers and the fact that a lot of medications for migraine may have side effects, botox treatment for migraine headaches is getting more popular with physicians.

As usual, the discovery of the efficacy of botox for treatment of migraine headaches was accidental.  It was noted that quite a few persons coming in for botox for their wrinkles noted that their headaches had lessened considerably.

Botox treatment for migraine headaches has not yet received FDA approval, but that has not stopped a lot of doctors from going ahead with treating their patients with headaches with botox injections into the muscles of the forehead, back of scalp, neck and shoulders, wherever there is muscle spasm which is commonly associated with migraine headaches.  Pain relief obtained tends to last for 4 to 6 months, the duration of action of the botox.  It is said that pain is relieved by reduction of the tension of the muscles due to the effect of botox.  Some practitioners theorize that the pain relief is contributed to by a blockage of the transmission of pain signals.

The cost of botox treatment for migraine headaches may be quite high initially, and may reach even up to $300 to $500 in any one area due the volume that has to be injected into the larger muscles.  This compares unfavorably with the relatively cheap cost of painkiller tablets.  However the pain relief obtained by botox can be 4 to 6 months, and the duration of pain relief itself is reason enough for persons to prefer to use botox.

On the surface of it all, should you peruse websites offering information on botox injections, it is quite easy to come to the conclusion that botox training is not necessary.  It would seem that all that one needs to do is to buy a bottle of botox off the counter, add the necessary diluent and jab microscopic amounts on the face or whereever you see wrinkles.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Injections on the face need a thorough understanding of the facial anatomy.  This can only come from a previous basic knowledge of the human face as can be obtained from medical or paramedical training.  If one should administer any injection on the face wrongly, there is always a possibility that some vital structure may be hit, such as a nerve or artery, or the wrong muscle may be injected, leading to disastrous results.

Sterility of the injection site and the injection is of utmost importance.  Infections can set in as a result of unsterile conditions.

Handling, diluting and storage of the botox injections need to be skilful and can only come as part and parcel of attendance at a recognised botox training course.  Botox training can also be handled by experienced botox practitioners on a one-to-one basis with a medical practitioner, albeit at an informal level. 

Botox training courses are often conducted by recognised private aesthetic centers, and also at times by the agents for this product in a particular country, who may employ a recognised botox trainer to conduct botox training.

Botox training courses can be as short as one day for a short exposure on tape or slide show, or as long as one week with hands-on training.  The usual candidates for these botox training courses are medical practitioners who desire to learn about the injection techniques, with the advanced botox training courses being for those with at least one year’s experience in basic botox injections.

Would a single exposure to a botox training session or a botox training course be sufficient?  Usually, single exposures will teach the practitioner the bare basics of botox injections.  Teaching dosage requirements and placements of botox injections for the injection sites tends to be rather dogmatic.  However it must be stressed that there is always room for variation in so far as the dosages go for each injection site, depending on the musculature present.  In the end, attending botox training will only teach you the bare basics.  The skilful practitioner will soon realize that botox injections is as much of an art as a science, and a good appreciation of the asthetics of the face is essential for ideal results.  A doctor who goes for botox training and applies strictly exactly what he learns in terms of dosage and injection points can only be at best a trained technician, not an artist.

no nasal flaring

nasal flare

Treatment of nasal flare is simple. A unit of Botox (also commonly called Botax) is administered to each side of the nostrils in the region of the levator alae nasi. This can be a rather painful injection so be prepared for some discomfort. The effect of Botox treatment for nasal flaring lasts about 4 to 6 months.

The Botox (Botax) breast lift or breast uplift procedure has quite a few supporters, and is meant for those with slightly smaller breasts that may seem a bit droopy.  It makes use of the fact that the level at which the breasts hang freely is dictated by the balance of muscle actions on the chest wall, one set pulling the breasts down by internally rotating and depressing the shoulders, the other set pulling the breasts up by causing the shoulders to pull backwards, outward and upward. The set of muscles that pull the breasts down includes the muscles on the chest wall called the pectoralis minor.  It is this muscle on both sides of the chest wall which need Botox injections to weaken it to cause the mild breast uplift. 

Before Botox Breast Uplift

After Botox Breast Uplift

How much can this breast lift cost?  Based on the amounts of botox used in each muscle (10 - 15 units per injection spot, 3 spots per side), it is estimated that a total of about 90 units of botox (botax) will be used.  This should make the breast lift cost a conservative $1300 to $1800 per procedure, depending on where you have your breast uplift injections.  This effect of botox breast uplift will last up to 6 months and has the pleasant effect of causing sustained nipple erection for about a month after erection. 

It is said that the best usage for this procedure would be if you have a new dress and you wanted to show it off to perfection without the hindrance of a bra, but did not want to go through the hassle of an operation to enlarge or lift the breasts.  Would the Botox breast lift cost cause you to have second thoughts then? It might be pretty well worth it, depending on whom you wanted to impress.

Nefertiti face lift with botox

The Botox Nefertiti face lift is a non-surgical facelift. The Nefertiti face lift using Botox (also known as Botax) cosmetic injection is obtained by weakening the platysmal muscles in the neck, including the platysmal bands, that drag the superficial muscles downward over the jaw line.  In response, the opposing force of the facial muscles will drag the skin back upwards, causing a more obvious jaw line.

As usual, the effect of Botox is best when the muscle tone of the facial and platysmal muscles is still quite good.  When one is more than 60 years old the muscles will not be as responsive and the Nefertiti facelift may not be so obvious.  Another non-surgical facelift which may work just as well is the threadlift.

Before Botox non-surgical facelift (nefertiti face lift)

After Botox non-surgical facelift (nefertiti face lift)

The height of the breasts is affected by the position of the shoulders.  The muscles of the chest known as pectoralis minor and pectoralis major tend to rotate the shoulder inward and downward.  The opposing muscles of the back such as the rhomboids tend to pull the shoulder backward.  The theory is that if the muscles such as the pectoralis minor were weakened, this would result in unopposed movement of the shoulder upward and backward, thus lifting the breasts to a more prominent and esthetically pleasant position. This is the basis for the botax breast uplift procedure.

The fact that this works is proven in tests where the pectoralis minor on each side is given a botox injection dose of about 30units of botax (more commonly known as botox).  Botax weakens the pectoralis minor muscles and the breast uplift occurs as a result.  A somewhat pleasant side effect as yet unexplained is the stimulation of the nipples which remain erect for a month.

Breast Uplift With Botax - Before

Breast Uplift With Botax - After

The botax effect lasts about 3 - 4 months.  It is noted that the breast up lift effect is more obvious in people with slightly smaller breasts, about cup size A or B.  Upon wearing out of the effect in about 4 months, the breasts start to descend, and it is time for a repeat dose of botax. 

botox injection palms

What is the cause of the hands sweating?  There are a few known causes:
A hyperactive thyroid
Anxiety
Heat
Overactivity on the part of the person
More sweat glands in the palm than normal
Hyperactive sweat glands.

Whatever the cause, the end result is the same: an unpleasant feel on the part of the recipient of the sweaty hand shake, and embarrassment on the part of the man who has his hands sweating. 

It is because of this that there are all sorts of sweaty palms treatment offered in the market. 

A hyperactive thyroid is of course treated if one cures the hyperactive thyroid gland.  This will obviously cure sweaty palms related to hyperthyroidism.

The other causes are rather more challenging to treat.  Some more well known methods to treat, though not necessarily cure sweaty palms are:
1.  Constant wiping with handkerchiefs
2.  Application of chemicals that are said to suppress sweat gland function eg Driclor (ammonium chloride hexahydrate).  The tendency is for this to become less and less effective over time.
3.  Surgery - a procedure called thoracic sympathectomy whereby the nerves of the sympathetic nervous system in the chest cavity which control the sweating palms are destroyed.  Although this is about the only permanent way to control sweating in the palms, soles and armpits, a lot of people balk at the thought of surgery just to stop hands sweating.

4.  Injection of Botox (also known as Botax).  A very effective technic to cure sweaty palms.  Although the effect lasts only 1 year and needs to be repeated, it is considered a very acceptable and suitable alternative to surgery which may carry some risks. The procedure is simple in theory.  Under local anesthetic botox is given in multiple small superficial shots on the palm about 1cm apart and just under the skin  (not into the muscles of the palm).  The fingers are usually left alone as a degree of moisture is essential for a good grip.  Treatment results for hands sweating are usually considered satisfactory if done properly.