Botox For Spasticity
The medication known for smoothing a wrinkled brow can also relieve uncontrollable muscle tightness that prevents many patients from functioning normally.
Botulinum Toxin, commonly knows as Botox, can paralyze and kill if consumed in contaminated food. But it’s now safely used, in a purified form, as a medicine to control certain conditions marked by involuntary muscle contractions.
SPASTICITY: This is a condition that occurs after a stroke, in multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy patients or those suffering from traumatic brain injuries. Muscles become overactive and tighten uncontrollably. These spasms cause pain and can prevent a person from moving normally.
HOW IT WORKS: Once in the body, the toxin binds to nerve endings at the point where the nerves join muscles. This prevents the nerves from signaling the muscles to contract. The result is weakness and paralysis in that muscle. Botox is not approved by the FDA to treat spasticity, but doctors can prescribe the medication if they think it will be helpful.
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