Botox is an abbreviation for onobotulinumtoxinA, a type of temporary neuro-muscular paralyzing neurotoxic protein that is most commonly used cosmetically to treat wrinkles and sagging skin. The toxin is derived from a specific microbe that causes botulism (food poisoning). However, believe it or not, botox is actually used to help treat a myriad of health conditions and their associated symptoms.

Because botox is able to block neuromuscular messages, it can actually be used to help patients with several neurological conditions, such as migraines, excessive sweating, overactive bladder, Parkinson’s disease, and lazy or crossed eyes:

1. Chronic migraines
Botox injections have been approved as a treatment for patients with chronic migraine who suffer with debilitating migraine headaches for more than 14 days each month. Botox injections for migraine treatment may be administered directly to the muscles in the patient’s head and neck area to reduce muscle contraction in a series of shots given approximately 12 weeks apart. If you suffer from frequent and severe migraines that interfere with work, school, and overall quality of life, and are seeking migraine headache relief it may be time to speak to ask your doctor for a referral for a migraine doctor or Botox Migraine Specialist today

2. Hyperhidrosis
Patients with severe cases of hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, may also be candidates for Botox injections. Botox may actually help reduce sweating when the agent is injected directly into the muscles that surround sweat glands to control moisture excretion. A 2007 study featured in the publication, Dermatologic Surgery, noted that both sweating and body odor was reduced post Botox injections.

3. Overactive bladder
Medications and pelvic floor exercises aren’t always effective in treating overactive bladder. If overactive bladder is exceedingly difficult to control, due to leaking urine and urinary frequency, Botox has been shown to help significantly relax bladder muscles so that they squeeze less, causing embarrassing urinary accidents.

4. Parkinson’s disease
Parkinson’s disease can cause many neuromuscular symptoms, such as drooling, swallowing issues, and urinary and bowel incontinence. However, a 2006 study published by the medical journal, Movement Disorders, noted that Botox was successfully used to treat patients with excessive drooling when injected directly into the salivary glands of patients

5. Lazy or crossed eyes
Botox was first used as a medical tool to treat patients with eye disorders in the early 1980s as the agent could be directly injected into eye muscles that control movement. In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration formally endorsed the use of Botox for treating lazy eyes and crossed eyes in 1989.