BOTOX THERAPY

Botox is a drug that is manufactured from a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium clostridium botulinum called clostridium botulinum toxin. It is used medically to treat certain muscular conditions and cosmetically to remove wrinkles by temporarily paralysing muscles.

Botulinum toxin is injected with a fine needle into specific muscles with only minor discomfort. It is administered in extremely small concentrations. Botox blocks signals from travelling along your nerves. When administered properly, it blocks signals that cause problems such as muscle spasms in your throat. Botox therapy is not only used as treatment for excessive sweating, muscular disorders and some bladder and bowel disorders; it may also be used in otolaryngology by ENT surgeons. Botulinum toxin, the most potent known biological neurotoxin, holds a great promise in the therapy of many diseases.

Botox therapy in otolaryngology is effectively used to treat conditions, including:

• Oromandibular dystonia:
  This is a condition that's characterised by forceful contractions on the face, jaw and tongue which may cause difficulties in opening and closing the mouth. This normally affects speech and chewing ability.
• Muscle tension dysphonia:
  This is a voice disorder which occurs when the muscles around the voice box (the larynx) become tight when speaking resulting in the larynx not working efficiently.
• Dysphagia:
  A condition which causes difficulties swallowing. In some cases, swallowing may be impossible. Dysphagia normally occurs when you eat too fast or don't chew your food well enough.
• Blepharospasm:
  This is a condition which causes your eyelid to involuntarily twitch or blink.
• Migraine:
  This is a type of strong headache and often comes with nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light. Migraines can last hours or days.

Procedure

Botox therapy is performed under local anaesthesia to numb your throat. As an ENT specialist, Dr. Martin Vanlierde will use a laryngoscope or electromyography machines to view your vocal cords during the botulinum toxin treatment. He will use a curved needle to administer the botox to the affected area according to the condition that’s been treated, normally into the muscles around the larynx. Results normally last for several months and can be repeated.