Possible Botox Side Effects
All medicines carry side effects. In addition to the desired therapeutic outcome, medications could engender adverse effects in individuals taking them. Botox, the popular treatment for facial lines and wrinkles, being also a medicine, has side effects that could affect those who take it. The good news is that majority of those who undergo Botox treatment do not manifest any side effects.
Although the chances of experiencing side effects from Botox treatments are minimal, it would be very useful to know what the Botox side effects are. These side effects were identified through the analysis of the results of thorough clinical studies in which the condition of a control group not taking Botox was compared to that of a group undergoing Botox treatment.
Studies conducted on the use of Botox for cosmetic treatments such as in the reduction of facial lines and wrinkles have established that Botox could cause high blood pressure, dental problems, droopy eyelids, nausea, indigestion, heartburn, muscle weakness and facial pain. These Botox side effects were experienced singly or in combinations by about 1 to 3 percent of those undergoing Botox treatments.
Studies also show that in about 11 to 21 percent of patients being treated with Botox for certain medical conditions such as hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), cervical dystonia, blepharospasm (eyelid spasms), and strabismus (crossed eyes), the commonly observed Botox side effects include misalignment or vertical deviations of the eyes, difficulty in swallowing, upper respiratory infections, neck pain, droopy eyelids, and headache.
2 to 10 percent of those being treated with Botox for medical or cosmetic purposes also experience other common Botox side effects. These side effects include back pain, flu-like symptoms such as chills and fever, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, bleeding at the injection site, infection, soreness at the injection site, sore throat, dry mouth, cough, runny or stuffy nose, and anxiety.
If you experience chest pain, double vision, speech problems, dry eyes (if being treated for muscle spasms near the eyes), and allergic reactions (such as difficulty in breathing or swallowing, unexplained rashes, itching, hives, unexplained swelling, and wheezing) while undergoing Botox treatments, these should be reported to your doctor at once. This is because such Botox side effects are potentially serious.
While undergoing Botox treatments, there will be times when you have symptoms for which the exact cause can be difficult to tell. These symptoms may or may not be Botox side effects. The best thing to do if you feel or see anything unusual is to consult your physician. Not only will your physician determine the cause, he will treat the condition as well.
In the course of your Botox treatments, just remember that medications can be double-edged swords. The benefits almost always outweigh the disadvantages. The main thing is to recognize Botox side effects and know what to do in case you experience them.
If you want to know more about Botox side effects, go to www.botoxinjection-facts.com where author Jane Villardo provides accurate and useful advice about the pros and cons of Botox treatment.
