What was botox originally intended for?

If you’ve ever had a bit of your skin injected with botulinum toxin, also known as better Botox, to get rid of wrinkles or frown lines, then you must have wondered what it was originally intended for. If that’s you, then today is your lucky day because we have just the information that will give you some perspective on where this cosmetic procedure originated from.

The Discovery Of Botulinum Toxin

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, many people were dying from “sausage poisoning.” A scientist by the name Johann Sommering tried experimenting with making sausage in different ways but still ended up killing people. At around the same time, another scientist named Emile Van Ermengem linked Clostridium botulinum bacteria (the causative agent) to foodborne botulism.

By injecting guinea pigs much later on (minute silence for our furry friends) with doses of purified C. Botulinum toxin in their limbs and watching them fade into paralysis after convenient periods, nature didn’t lie; they had found a muscle relaxer compound⸺botulinum toxin!

The medical potentialities at this point weren’t lost on Allergan Laboratories when it bought full rights to develop it in 1988(not obvious? They did invest $20 million!).

Here are few undertakings they ventured upon:

Strabismus And Blepharospasms Treatment

Btoxin started getting recognition after two Canadian doctors—Alan Scott and Jean Carruthers—discovered its application in treating Cross eyes – strabismus or eyelid spasms- blepharospasm patients which before then only saw relief through surgical approaches(also expensive).
They hopelessly experimented first with an incorrect toxic batch ruining equipment like benzene alcohol and underwent many procedures. But that did not stop them from inventing a method of reducing muscle activity to treat conditions conventionally treated by surgery.(hear hear!).

Chronic Migraines

In 2010, Botox was approved by the FDA as an effective treatment for chronic migraines. Researchers still aren’t exactly sure how it works (generally put: desensitizes the nerve endings) but patients who receive injections report a significant reduction in both the frequency and severity of their headaches.

Hyperhidrosis

Excessive sweating on any body part can be uncomfortably embarrassing sometimes(Yes! you sweaty plam holder). In one study published in Dermatologic Surgery, 81% of participants with axillary hyperhidrosis reported being satisfied after just two Botox treatments to get tiny amount injected directly into their underarms.

Botox For Beauty- Wrinkles And Frown Lines Eraser!

Let’s face it—Botox is mostly known for its cosmetic usage, namely getting rid of wrinkles and frown lines on your forehead or face. Originally defined as “Elevens“(for appearing like “11” or “I”) because they occur between the eyebrows above your nose bridge when furrowing/brow-raising or scowling(frownie).

Here’s how it works:

After mixing botulinum toxin with saline initially(water does NOT work!), this mixture is filtered several times before use by Allergan qualified staff.(quality control yeah?👇)

“`Table1-Quality Control Filtering Process

Staff Designation Purpose Of Filtering
QC Technician Extract particles less than 5 microns through multiple filtration membranes
Engineer(Automation) Incubate final concentrated solution at room temperature(a day!)
Quality Assurance Team Provide release approval“`

Neurons send messages to muscles telling them what to do(via acetylcholine[ACh] neurotransmitters). The botulinum toxin slows down ACh production by binding to neuromuscular junctions, making it more complicated for muscles to move at their maximum capacity—so fewer wrinkles!

But Botox doesn’t only eradicate frown lines and wrinkles; it can also be used on other parts of the body. For example, micro-Botox has become increasingly popular recently as a way of reducing skin texture irregularities.

More Than Just Cosmetic Uses

Believe it or not, but Botox has some practical usage in the medical field outside its usual cosmetic application. Among them are:

Spasticity Management

Botox is now being approved in treating patients with spastic paralysis coming from conditions like Multiple Sclerosis(MS). Doctors have noted suppressing over-activity of affected muscles whose involuntary tension and movement(associated with spasm) lead to pain or prolonged stiffness.

Table 2-Spasticity Management Clinical Trial Breakdown
Type Of Patient | Number |Result
---|---|---
MS Patients|120 (Study group)-30(Control Group)|Significant drop after one week between arm & leg disability

Week? Hence why researchers conclude that definitive results may still need further investigation currently relying on health insurance providers choosing trial participation.(Insurance companies do care).

Bladder Control Issues

Research shows that botulinum toxin injection reduces bladder muscle activity having major control functions concerning urination frequency!(Do you understand what a $500-a-roll toilet paper means?). This medical breakthrough was presented at the annual congress of Dutch urologists held by Geneeskunde Van De Vrije Universiteit In Brussels,(we believe he spoke Flemmish🙂)

“`Table3-Urinary Incontinence Clinical Trial Results

Treatment Plan Number Result
Single Treatment With Catheters Inserted(the Whole Nine Yards!) 34 (Study Group) -58(Control Group) Significant number of treated participants required fewer catheters post-treatment“`

Depression

There is evidence that shows Botulinum Toxin Administration helps cope with depression. This unprecedented breakthrough stunned academicians worldwide!
Although, it’s not a cure-all. The study evaluated patients having mild to severe depression showing positive results in the former subset while barely influencing the latter.(Yes! still quite groundbreaking)

“`Table4-Depression Clinical Trials Breakdown

Patient Condition Number Result
Mildly Depressed 201(Study group)-47(Control Group) remarkable uptick in mood after six weeks or less.
Moderate-Severe Cases “Negligible” Impact “`

Conclusion

When Allergan Laboratories first acquired Botox, they didn’t know what its future held with regard to ubiquitous cosmetic injections or FDA approvals for non-aesthetic use countries like Australia(Damn!)
Botulinum toxin has come a long way from being associated only with “sausage poisoning.” Today it does more than smoothen frown lines and wrinkles on people’s faces; botulinum toxin works effectively as a medical treatment for various issues such as bladder control problems, migraines and even one day might help you get over your phone scrolling addiction(Oops!)

But despite all these amazing discoveries about how well Botox can work for us humans, there are still new researches in progress helping us find other promising medicinal uses.

So here’s our final comment: botulism? Pah! More like beauty revolution

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