Botox Injections for Overactive Bladder

By Kai Colvin - Senior Medical Research Editor | October 3rd, 2012

Bladder dysfunction affects a confounding number of individuals worldwide. Overactive bladder is a problematic bladder storage matter that sources a sudden urge to urinate.

The urge may be difficult to suppress and can lead to the involuntary loss of urine.

Today, individuals worldwide are dealing with this embarrassing issue that can lead to self-isolation, or limit their work production and social life.

The good news— US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved using Botox injections to aid patients with neurological conditions who suffer from incontinence, or an overactive bladder.

Botox is used in a variety of bladder dysfunctions, including neurogenic detrusor hyperflexia, overactive bladder, Benign prostatic hyperplasia, bladder neck obstruction and cystitis.

"About 80 percent of patients with neurological conditions, such as spinal cord injuries, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis, see improvement after about a week, and the results can last four to nine months," indicated Charles Nager, MD, co-director of the UC San Diego Women's Pelvic Medicine Center at UC San Diego Health System.

Understanding Botox

Botox performs by attaching to the nerve endings of muscles, further hindering the release of the chemical that causes muscle contraction. When directed at specific muscles, the effect is to temporarily paralyze or weaken the muscles at the site of injection.

Botox was approved by the FDA in the 1980’s to treat certain disorders of the eye muscles and is now widely used in cosmetic surgery to treat wrinkles and facial aging.

Incontinence is the seventh condition, including chronic migraines and underarm sweating, that Botox has been approved to treat.

Dentists use Botox to treat dental problems such as TMJ disorders. Stroke victims who are left paralyzed also benefit by Botox injections.

"It (Botox) can really be life changing for someone with severe incontinence issues," stated Dr. Nager.

Talk to a specialist today to greatly reduce or eliminate the symptoms of overactive bladder, which can have an adverse effect on your daily life.

To learn more about overactive bladder, find an urologist in your area.