Many people know Botox for one of its most common and apparent uses. For years Botox has been used to help smooth and reduce wrinkles, commonly in people’s faces. Due to many botched Botox jobs and celebrity use, in many ways Botox has gotten a bad reputation.
You may not know that there are actually a lot of alternative uses in the medical field for Botox beside cosmetic changes.
For example, Botox can actually be used to help treat one of the most common urological conditions we see in our office regularly.
Using Botox to Treat Incontinence
It may seem odd to those who only know Botox for its ability to smooth wrinkles but we have seen a lot of success using Botox as a treatment option for incontinence.
If you aren’t familiar with incontinence, here is a breakdown of the two types of incontinence you could be diagnosed with.
Stress Urinary Incontinence: Stress incontinence is typically associated with physical activity like coughing, laughing, sneezing, lifting, straining, getting out of a chair or bending over. Damage to the pelvic floor from childbirth can lead to stress incontinence. This is also the most common type of incontinence in men that have had prostate surgery.
Urge Urinary Incontinence: Patients typically state “I can’t make it to the restroom in time”. This urge to urinate is caused by an overactive bladder. At times the patient may leak without warning, these patients typically wear depends or restrict liquids prior to an outing.
Botox is a treatment option for those with urge incontinence or an overactive bladder due a neurological condition.
Botox is a drug made from a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Doctors use it in small doses to treat health problems, including an overactive bladder.
Botox injections work by weakening or paralyzing certain muscles or by blocking certain nerves. The effects last about three to twelve months, depending on what you are treating. The most common side effects are pain, swelling, or bruising at the injection site. You could also have flu-like symptoms, headache, and upset stomach. You should not use Botox if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Is Botox an Option For You?
When you visit with a urologist for incontinence or overactive bladder, they will perform a series of tests to determine which type of incontinence you have or ultimately what is causing the incontinence you are experiencing. This testing will determine if Botox is a treatment option for you.
Whether You are experiencing incontinence or any other urological conditions our offices are available for you to make a Urology consultation in Springfield, Ohio. No matter what you are experiencing, we will do our best to find you answers and treatment options that fit your needs.