How can Botox be used to treat bladder dysfunction and overactivity?

Botox isn’t just to fix those frowns or wrinkles! Many people believe that Botox is a legit tool for plastic surgeons or aestheticians, not for urologists. Still, to your surprise, Botox treatment is a well-tolerated solution to treat overactive bladder symptoms. The application of this overactive bladder treatment ranges from a simple condition like urinary incontinence to severely spastic bladder problems, including bladder dysfunction associated with neurological disease.

From running to coughing to laughing out loud, if you have caught yourself leaking urine, then you aren't alone. Approximately 17% of women and 3-11% of men experience urinary incontinence at some point in their life. It is prudent to apprehend that bladder dysfunction and urge incontinence are not caused by physical activities; they are primarily an outcome of stress that triggers the nerve endings that prompt the brain to send signals at the wrong time, causing bladder muscles to squeeze without warning. The good news is that an overactive bladder is a treatable medical condition.

Botox treatment has been dubbed as a clinically sound measure showing dramatic improvements to subside the symptoms of a bladder infection among women who haven’t aptly responded to other OAB treatments and medications.

What are the causes of bladder dysfunction?

• Too much stool buildup in the colon keeps putting pressure on the bladder resulting in chronic bladder problems.
• Diabetes can damage the nerves around the kidneys that facilitate bladder control.
• Unhealthy diet including beverages, artificial sweeteners, and excess spicy foods can worsen bladder problems.
• Large kidney stones may travel down the ureter, causing an overactive bladder.
• Temporomandibular disorder can trigger chronic bladder problems. At Lip Doctor Canada, a specialized team of experts offers therapeutic Botox treatment, primarily to relieve the patients suffering from a chronic pain condition known as TMD.

At Lip Doctor Canada, Health Canada Approved Botox injections are injected at the targeted areas to relax muscle spasticity causing great discomfort. The certified hub proffers exquisite Botox services to relieve jaw pain, shoulder and muscles spasm, and tightness.

Symptoms of an overactive bladder

1. Feeling a sudden rush to urinate that isn't easy to control.
2. Leaking urine without any warning or urge.
3. Wetting bed at night.
4. The urge to urinate frequently.
5. Waking up frequently at night to urinate.

How does Botox treatment work for overactive bladder symptoms?

Botox is a neuromuscular blocking agent that works on the bladder nerves to relax the bladder. When Botox is injected, it treats the thick muscle bands known as trabeculation, typically present in conditions that cause overactive bladder symptoms or obstruct the seamless urine flow. The drug temporarily paralyzes the bladder muscles, dwindling the spasms that cause an overactive bladder.

The botox treatment reduces:

• Bladder spasms
• Persistent Urinary urgency
• Frequent urgency urinary incontinence

How is Botox treatment administered to cater symptoms of a bladder infection?

Botox intervention is known to be a simple overactive bladder treatment. It is administered as a day stay procedure at a clinic or hospital under light sedation. The doctor performs a cystoscopy by inserting the cystoscope through the urethra. It is a fine tube containing a tiny camera that facilitates the doctor to examine inside the bladder vigilantly. The OAB treatment procedure generally takes 25-30 minutes.

To treat the overactive bladder symptoms, the physician will inject small amounts of Botox into the muscles of the bladder via a tiny needle that is passed through the scope. The actual injection procedure takes 5 minutes or less. Only 6 out of 100 patients require a catheter. It usually takes 24-72 hours before this overactive bladder treatment shows its effects.

Botox Benefits

The benefits of this OAB treatment are imperative. Approximately 70-75% of people experience a drastic improvement in bladder infection symptoms after undergoing this treatment. The treatment relaxes the muscles and prompts in:

• Reduction or elimination of frequent episodes of urinary incontinence.
• Improving overactive bladder, thus giving you ample time to get to the bathroom when you feel the need to urinate.
• Turning down the number of times you urinate during day or night.

This OAB treatment is ideal for all ages and the majority of the insurance plans cover the cost of this Botox treatment.

Side effects of Botox treatment?

• Generally, the Botox injections are well-tolerated, but one of the most potential Botox side effects is urinary retention which occurs in 5-8% of patients. In other words, Botox decreases the bladder's natural contractions, thus making it difficult for the patients to empty their bladder independently. Some residual urine doesn't cause any harm, but a catheter has to be placed to drain the bladder if the residual urine is high.
• Another common Botox side effect is UTI (24% vs. 17% placebo).
• The reaction may also include fatigue, painful or difficult urination. If you experience any bladder infection symptoms, it is essential to consult your physician immediately.
• It is prudent to consider any potential Botox contradictions if you are allergic to any other botulinum toxin product such as Myobloc®, Dysport®, or Xeomin® because it may cause severe life-threatening problems resulting in drooping eyelids, dizziness, troubled swallowing, speaking, and breathing.
• Don’t undergo Botox treatment if you have UTI or cannot empty your bladder independently.

It should be recognized that this overactive bladder treatment is not permanent. Once the treatment is carried out, the effects will start wearing off after 6-8 months. It is viable for patients to take a gap of at least three months between treatments, and this treatment can be repeated as many times as required to treat overactive bladder.

Lip doctor is a Canada based aesthetics clinic that offers professional services of non-surgical and non-invasive nature. Lip doctor offers various treatments and procedures for hair, skin, body, and lips. To know more or book an appointment visit we