Posts Tagged ‘Neurological Disease’

Whats All the Fuss About Botox Anyway?

Saturday, November 7th, 2009
Health Spa Guru recently asked:


Botox appears to be the new vogue. Every second person is either trying it, or too scared to ask what the new hype is all about. So what is Botox, how does it work and should people be nervous regarding its safety and effects?

Botox is well known for its treatment in both cosmetic and medical practices. It is however the reversing of the visible signs of ageing that has sparked curiosity in people worldwide. Happiness, anger as well as other emotions experienced in everyday life result in ****** muscle contraction as well as pleating of the skin. Through time, these lines tend to linger longer then desired and become more noticeable. The aim of Botox is to weaken the muscles responsible for creating the wrinkles and in turn reduce their visibility and reoccurrence.

Regardless of the benefits, nervousness regarding Botox is still evident and primarily stems from its origin. Botox (Botulinum Toxin) is a neurotoxin protein produced from the Clostridium Botulinum bacterium which is known as one of the most toxic naturally occurring substances around, which in large doses can result in food poisoning and further complications. Fortunately small diluted doses of the toxin enables a safe controlled weakening of the muscles used for cosmetic purposes today. The procedure is practiced daily on thousands of patients worldwide and is only regarded as unsafe if you are allergic, pregnant or suffer from a neurological disease. However, prior to planning a Botox treatment it is still advised to consult a doctor to discuss whether you are in fact a good candidate for the procedure. Special care should also be taken in choosing an appropriately qualified practitioner in your area.

Although regarded as a “medical” procedure, Botox is performed in rooms with no anesthesia and takes approximately 10 to 20 mins to perform. Using a tiny micro needle, small amounts of the Botox are injected into the area of question, leaving a small pricking sensation behind. Muscle weakness only occurs one to two days after the injection and will return to function in three to six months time. Due to the fact that Botox is not a permanent treatment, the injection is usually repeated on a regular basis. Temporary bruising and occasional headaches are the most common side effects of Botox. In rare cases, eyelid droop or tearing can occur, but this is only temporary and usually due to patients rubbing the area causing toxin to migrate in the first few hours of having the treatment done.

However, what everyone would still like to know is, are the results worth the effort and the money? If it’s the wrinkles triggered by ageing and sun damage you would like to wave goodbye, then Botox is not the solution. Botox only improves wrinkles formed due to ****** muscle contraction and has shown to smooth and improve this variety of wrinkle effectively and efficiently. The duration of the effect of the Botox depends on the type of Botox being utilized as well as the amount applied, however in days you will be able to notice a marked improvement which is able to last up to six months. So if it’s a youthful appearance that you are after, this may be the time to book or save up for your next Botox treatment!

Find spas and more wellness related information at: http://healthspaguru.com





Botox

Thursday, August 13th, 2009
Patricia Woloch recently asked:


In recent years, Botox has become the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in the United States. In 2005, cosmetic surgeons performed almost 4 million Botox treatments.

The procedure has been around for about 20 years. In the late 1980’s, Botox was originally used by ophthalmologists to treat optic muscle issues, such as uncontrolled blinking and lazy eye. However, cosmetic surgeons quickly discovered that it can also be an excellent tool to fight ****** wrinkles.

What is Botox?

Botox is the brand name for the product made out of Botulinum Toxin Type A, which is most commonly associated with food poisoning. It disrupts the release of acetylcholine, weakening the muscle it is acting on. When used in small, diluted concentrations, it can be very effective in reducing wrinkles.

Botox is commonly used to treat:



Ocular muscle spasms

Eye coordination issues

Severe armpit perspiration

Frown lines

Crow’s feet

Furrows in the forehead

Migraine headaches

Foot pain caused by wearing high heeled shoes



Wrinkles caused by sun damage are not treatable by Botox.

Am I a Candidate?

Just about anyone can be an ideal candidate for Botox. The majority of people receiving treatment are between the ages of 35 and 60. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a neurological disease, you are not a candidate for Botox.

The Botox Procedure

Botox injections are performed on an outpatient basis without anesthesia. The entire procedure can be completed within 20 to 30 minutes.

Your cosmetic surgeon will select several injection points for each region you are treating. The injections are not made on the wrinkle, they are administered at the place where your muscle contracts. When injected, the toxins in Botox will attach to the nerve endings of your muscles, halting the release of acetylcholine. This prevents your muscles from engaging in the contractions that cause your skin to wrinkle.

It will generally take about a week for the results to be noticeable, and they will last for 3-5 months. You should not drink alcohol or take anti-inflammatory medications for at least two weeks before receiving Botox. This will help reduce the risk of bruising.

You will be able to resume all regular activity immediately. However, it is best to avoid exposure to the sun for a few days.

Side Effects

Side effects from Botox are very minor and generally go away within a few days. The most common side effects are:



Nausea

Headaches

Flu-like symptoms

Redness and pain at the injection points

Droopy eyelids



It is important to avoid rubbing the treated region for at least 12 hours after receiving the injections. This could cause the Botox to migrate to other areas of your body.

If you are considering Botox in the San Francisco, California area, please visit the website of Dr. Randall B. Weil, M.D., F.A.C.S. today to schedule an initial consultation.