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How does Botox help Cerebral Palsy |
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Sunday, 05 August 2007 |
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Botox (Botulinum Toxin) has mainly been used to smooth wrinkles and create plump lips for women who wish to emphasize or deemphasize facial features by injecting the chemical into the muscles or fat tissue. The injections have taken on a more important task by treating the symptoms of cerebral palsy. Researchers have used the drug to dramatically alter the negative side effects of the affliction for both children and adults alike. The dosage and location of the location is dependent upon the severity and location of the symptom.
An embarrassing and socially crippling side effect of cerebral palsy is drooling. When the muscles of the face relax or tighten, the cerebral palsy suffer will loose control of one or both sides of the mouth causing saliva to drip on clothing or other awkward areas. This is damaging to the self-image of the patient and may lead to awkward moments in public. The botox is injected into the opposite muscle to counter act the twitching or paralysis. This will cause the lip to return a more normal position halting or slowing the drooling. For children botox is used to help alleviate locomotion or motor problems. When a child’s legs have too much spactisity, the child will walk upon their tip toes unable to put their feet flat upon the ground. This can cause the child to be in a walker or crutches. The limited motion can rob other muscles of a chance to grow normally. Using botox to relax the muscles in the lower calves, the child will achieve temporary flat footedness and be able to work on the muscles of the foot and leg. Botox injections are not a cure. As with most treatments for cerebral palsy, the treatment eases the symptoms. It does not cure the disease. Also botox should not be the only treatment. A team of specialists need to decide what treatment combinations are proper for the individual. |
