Many people have heard Botox being used for cosmetic treatments, yet Botox is a useful agent in treating many other conditions in the practice of medicine. Botox is a commercial preparation of botulinum toxin type A. Botulinum toxin is produced by the bacteria called “clostridium botulinum” and can paralyze muscles by blocking nerve impulses conducted by the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. When used at controlled doses, Botox is perfectly safe and can be used to control unwanted muscle activities that are otherwise uncontrollable. Doctors use Botox to treat many diseases characterized by excessive muscle activities, including various forms of dystonia and muscle spasms.

Botox is also used to treat voice and swallowing-related conditions. An example is spasmodic dysphonia, or SD. SD is caused by abnormal activities in small muscles in the larynx that control the vocal cords, making producing a smooth voice difficult. Patients with SD often experience deteriorated voice quality, effortful phonation and broken speech. By reducing abnormal muscle activities, Botox can serve to “smooth” out the voice, improving the patient’s verbal communication. Difficulty in swallowing can sometimes be a result of excessive activities in muscles controlling the opening of the esophagus. Again, Botox treatment can be helpful in such conditions by causing muscle relaxation. When used to treat abnormal muscle activity related conditions, Botox is usually given under the guidance of electromyography – a test that helps the doctor identify the target muscle. The procedure usually takes a few minutes to complete and the patient resumes normal activities right after. Effects of Botox are normally felt within 48 to 72 hours. When injected into the larynx for voice, some patients experience short period of worsened voice before it gets better. Because Botox will be gradually cleared out of the muscle, repeated injections are needed to maintain treatment effects. The interval is usually several months, although it varies significantly across patients.

Studies are currently being conducted to test Botox treatment for other conditions related to excessive nerve activities transmitted by acetylcholine. These include excessive sweating, saliva production (drooling) and pain related to saliva gland contraction. As our understanding of Botox and diseases increases, more safe and effective treatments with Botox for increasing numbers of diseases can be expected.

For more information regarding Botox and how it may help you with your voice and swallowing problems, contact us using the information available in this page. We are committed to excellence in patient care and education.