Before the Needle Although many people have heard about Botox, few people know what it actually is. So, what are Botox injections? Many people would be surprised to learn that it actually is a drug derived from a neurotoxin created by a specific bacterium, the Clostridium botulinum. This is the same toxin that causes botulism, a life-threatening form of food poisoning. When ingested in its natural form, Botox can cause paralysis that spreads through the body until it eventually works its way to the breathing muscles, causing respiratory failure. This is why it is important to educate yourself before considering Botox injections. Why Do People Get Botox? Although this is a toxin, it is safe to use in small doses for medical use. Doctors often use the substance cosmetically. It is probably best known as an anti-wrinkle agent used to treat fine lines and signs of aging. Most commonly, it is used to treat wrinkles in the neck or face. Some people also get Botox injections to minimize their forehead lines. [youmaylike] In addition to smoothing skin to give it a more youthful appearance, it serves other medical purposes. Some patients use it to treat severe underarm sweating, migraines, uncontrollable blinking, overactive bladder and strabismus (misaligned eyes). How Does Botox Work? Botox causes paralysis. While this can be fatal in large, targeted doses, it is the property that helps with treatment. It acts locally, upon the injection site where it will weaken or paralyze targeted muscles. This is done as the neurotoxin attaches to nerve ending and blocks impulses from coming through. Instead of contracting as normal, the injected tissues will remain relatively frozen. Reducing the pulling of the skin is what makes the skin look more youthful. This signal-blocking property is also assisted with the other medical applications of Botox. It is important to realize that these are not the same as a filler. How Long Does Botox Last? The effects of Botox do not last forever. After a while, the signals will begin to pass through again. Procedures are expected to have a visual effect that lasts three to six months. Botox will not lose its effect overnight. Rather, you will experience a gradual decline in results as the muscles slowly regain their movement. The effects of your first session will wear off faster than the later sessions. Your first session is expected to last around three months where the later sessions will gradually last up to six months. Is Botox Safe? Under controlled medical environments, Botox injection procedures are considered low-risk. Most procedures are carried out safely and effectively with little side effects. The side effects one does experience are normally what is expected from any sort of injection procedure. This would be some temporary redness, bleeding or bruising at the injection site. In rare cases, one may experience a headache in the first two days after the procedure or temporary drooping. With this being said, there are certain situations where you should avoid getting Botox injections. You should not undergo treatments if you: Are 65 years of age or older, or under 18 years old. Have breathing problems. Have bleeding problems. Are allergic to or have sensitivities to Botox products. Be sure to talk to your doctor about any medications or supplements you are currently taking as there may be some interactions that could be dangerous. If you immediately experience signs of an allergic reaction upon the treatment, seek medical help immediately. To reduce any of the potential complications, it is important that you thoroughly research the performing physician. You need to make sure you are going to someone who knows what they are doing and has an adequate environment to perform hygienically and legally. It is not worth the risk to seek other methods. Does Botox Hurt? Botox procedures use very tiny needles. While injections are associated with some pain, the size of the needles keeps this pain at a minimum. Botox injections are generally preceded by some sort of anesthetic treatment to numb the pain. This is often done with a topical anesthetic cream or a cold pack. Most people report minimal to no pain at all. The Cost of Botox The cost of Botox will vary greatly depending on the specifications of your procedure. Some facilities will charge you by the area covered, but more often they charge you per unit of Botox used. On average, you will pay about $20 per unit. As the average treatment is about 20 to 60 units on average, you will likely pay between $500 and $800. The number of units used in a session will vary greatly depending on the space that you want to be covered. The bigger the area, the more units you will need to pay to achieve results. When it comes to cosmetic procedures, insurance will likely not pay for any of the costs. You can talk with your insurance provider to find out if they offer financial compensation for non-cosmetic procedures.
Is Endometriosis Genetic?
It’s not uncommon for people to feel some discomfort or pain before, during, and after their menstrual cycle. However, if you find this pain extreme or consistent, there may be underlying medical problems worth addressing. It’s important you talk with your doctor about any reproductive health concerns so you can get the treatment you need to feel better and stay healthy. Many people are surprised to learn that their pain is caused by a condition called endometriosis.
What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a condition referring to the abnormal development of the endometrium. The endometrium is the tissue that lines the uterus. This tissue is normally different from tissues in the surrounding organs of the reproductive system.
However, abnormalities sometimes result in tissues similar to the endometrium growing beyond the uterus. Endometriosis manifests itself differently between individuals. Most often, cases involve tissue abnormalities in the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the pelvic region. In severe cases, tissue may expand beyond this area.
The condition may result in several different symptoms, including:
- Dysmenorrhea — painful periods are common for many people; however, excessive or extreme pain is sometimes the result of a medical condition. Discuss painful periods with your physician.
- Painful intercourse — many different factors cause sex to be painful. Pain during or following intercourse is sometimes a sign of endometriosis.
- Heavy bleeding — very heavy bleeding or intermenstrual bleeding (bleeding between periods) should be discussed with a primary care physician.
- Infertility — although not everyone that experiences endometriosis has problems getting pregnant, infertility is a common symptom. Many individuals who have endometriosis discover their condition when consulting with a fertility doctor due to difficulties conceiving.
Those with endometriosis may also suffer from diarrhea, constipation, nausea, bloating, or loss of energy. Sometimes, these symptoms are only present during the menstrual cycle. The severity of symptoms varies between individuals, and while some may suffer from severe symptoms, others only experience mild troubles. In many cases, endometriosis is ignored or misdiagnosed as a “normal” period.
How Do I Get Diagnosed for Endometriosis?
Early diagnosis of endometriosis is key to getting treatment and managing symptoms. In addition to the physical exam where doctors ask you questions about your condition, diagnosing endometriosis requires several physical evaluations.
Pelvic Exam
In a pelvic exam, a trained medical professional will manually feel your pelvic area. They do this to determine any abnormalities around your pelvic such as cysts or scars. While this can help, many times, an endometriosis examination requires additional diagnostic tests.
Ultrasound
Ultrasounds use sound waves to create images of your internal anatomy. This technique is incredibly useful for capturing images of internal organs, including those of the reproductive system. Standard ultrasounds may help detect cysts, but transvaginal ultrasounds are more common for diagnosing endometriosis. It involves using a transducer, a unique camera device used in ultrasounds. Doctors may press it directly against your abdomen or insert it into the vagina.
MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is another popular technique used to capture the body’s internal images. Rather than using high-frequency sound ways, MRI machines use a strong magnetic field and radio waves to capture detailed pictures of internal tissues.
Laparoscopy
Laparoscopes are like cameras meant to allow surgeons to see inside of the body. Physicians make a small incision and insert the device inside your body to see direct pictures of your internal anatomy without exposing your internal organs.
What Causes Endometriosis?
There are several different reasons why an individual may have endometriosis. While it is difficult to determine the exact cause of a particular case of endometriosis, scientists have found several explanations to explain the condition.
Retrograde Menstruation
When an individual experiences a period, their menstrual blood that contains endometrial cells expel from the body. With retrograde menstruation, these cells would go back into the pelvic cavity and thicken and grow.
Peritoneal Cell Transformation
Peritoneal cells, which normally line the inner side of your abdomen, undergo a transformation into endometrial-like cells during maturation.
Scar Attachment
Following a medical procedure resulting in a scar forming around the reproductive area, such as during a cesarean delivery (C-section), endometrial cells attach to the scar and continue to flourish.
Blood Flow
Vessels may carry endometrial cells to other areas in the body.
Other Conditions
There is also a theory that other people do have endometrial cells growing outside of their uterus occasionally, but their body knows to attack it and prevent growth. Individuals suffering from immune disorders may not have the fighting power to prevent this growth.
Is Endometriosis Genetic?
Researchers found a strong connection between cases of endometriosis and genes. If an individual has a mother, sister, or grandmother who has endometriosis, the chances of her receiving a diagnosis significantly increases. If you believe you or a loved one may be suffering from endometriosis, make an appointment with your physician.