Restroom signs by OhMyGouda in Florida, on Flickr
Botox was recently approved by the FDA to treat some forms of urinary incontinence, according to The New York Times.
Treatment of urinary incontinence joins the more than 100 medical uses for Botox. Some of these current and popular medical uses for Botox include treating:
- excessive sweating
- muscle spasms
- eyelid twitching
- chronic migraines
Though Botox was first approved by the FDA nearly a decade ago to treat lines and wrinkles on the face, these medical uses for Botox now draw about half of Botox’s $1.5 billion in yearly international sales.
Patients who struggle with urinary incontinence caused by multiple sclerosis or other neurological conditions that affect the spine may now be given Botox as a treatment option. However, using Botox to treat urinary incontinence caused by unknown factors is currently being investigated. If this wider range of treatment options is approved, more than 340,000 Americans who struggle with the issue may find relief.
Because Botox had been found to treat many health issues from wrinkles to migraines, it is sometimes called a “pipeline in a vial.” When this “pipeline” is injected beneath the surface of the skin, it causes the treated muscle to relax and limits contraction. This can smooth skin when treating a wrinkle, or will prevent muscle spasms which can lead to issues like urinary incontinence.
To learn more about medical uses for Botox or how the injectable can improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles on the face, please join the mailing list of Sacramento cosmetic surgeon Dr. Jagdev Heir.
