When most people think of botox, they think about cosmetic procedures and wrinkle free skin. The same botulinum neurotoxin that is responsible for extending youthful beauty can also be a great way overactive bladder syndrome treatment. The primary neurotransmitter that causes the bladder to contract is acetylcholine and botox can act as a barrier and prevent this chemical from affecting the bladder.
Why is controlling how much acetylcholine is being released into the body so important? The more that is released the more bladder triggers can occur. Blocking this chemical is not terribly difficult, but takes a precise placement of the botulinum neurotoxin. Targeting the specific parts of the bladder that need this neurotoxin is accomplished through the use of a cytoscope. This same piece of equipment is used to also visually investigate the bladder and decide on an exact plan of attack before the shots are administered. This is a very important step, as the process requires up the 40 injections in order to blanket the bladder with enough tiny doses of botox to stop contractions. It only takes a few minutes for a competent doctor to administer the injections, though.
Once injected the neurotoxin goes to work by freezing the bladder muscles by semi-paralysis. This is only a temporary effect and will not cause any permanent damage. Many overactive bladder sufferers can experience relief from hourly contractions for a period of several months. Like with any medical procedure there is certainly a risk of minor side effects. Some people may get a urinary tract infection or pass trace amounts of blood when urinating. Fortunately, neither of these are serious complications. There may still be leaks and a reliable incontinence product may still be needed. If you are incontinent and want to learn more about bladder disorders visit www.condomcatheters.net for product reviews and information relating to many common incontinence problems.