OTHER CONDITIONS
Bruxism is the medical term for teeth grinding. Most people probably grind and clench their teeth from time to time. It is an oral Para-functional activity. However, if Bruxism occurs on a regular basis the teeth can be damaged. Teeth grinding may be caused by stress and anxiety, it occurs during sleep and represents one of the most common sleep disorders.
Symptoms of Bruxism are:
- Insomnia
- Headache
- Hot, cold, or sweet sensitivity in the teeth
- Earache (the structures of the temporo-mandibular joint are very close to the ear canal, and one can feel the referred pain.
- Sore jaw
Bruxism can change the appearance of your face. In particular, the enlargement of the masseter muscle (one of the four muscles involved in mastication, which closes the jaw during chewing) may lead to a square jaw contour.
Bruxism is successfully treated with Botulinum toxin (type A) injections into the masseter muscle.
It is indicated in two types of conditions:
- a therapeutic indication (to release the symptoms of Bruxism)
- an aesthetic indication aiming to triangulate and soften the facial contour.
Botulinum toxin injections help to treat the symptoms of Bruxism and reshape the lower face. Relaxation of the masseter muscle reduces muscle hypertrophy and accentuates cheek prominence creating a highly desirable “blush” effect, a more aesthetically pleasant, slimmer, oval-shaped lower face.
Botulinum toxin treatment for bruxism should be repeated every 6 months
BOTULINUM TOXIN TYPE A INJECTIONS FOR TREATMENT OF HYPERHIDROSIS (EXCESSIVE SWEATING)
WHAT IS HYPERHIDROSIS?
Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition in which a person sweats excessively and unpredictably. Sweating is very important for the normal thermoregulation of our body. People with hyperhidrosis produce sweat in far greater quantities than normal.
There are two main types of hyperhidrosis: primary and secondary.
Primary or focal hyperhidrosis affects 1% of the population and it involves excessive sweating of the feet, hands and armpits.
Secondary hyperhidrosis occurs as a result of various medical conditions and it may manifest all over the body or in one particular area. Conditions that cause secondary hyperhidrosis include: acromegaly, anxiety conditions, cancer, carcinoid syndrome, certain medications and substances of abuse, glucose control disorders, heart disease, hyperthyroidism, lung disease, menopause, Parkinson’s disease, pheochromocytoma, spinal cord injury, stroke, tuberculosis or other infections
HOW TO TREAT HYPERHYDROSIS?
Those with hyperhidrosis appear to have overactive sweat glands. The uncontrollable sweating can lead to significant discomfort, both physical and emotional. At Aesthetic Essentials we offer one of the most popular treatments of Hyperhidrosis using Botulinum toxin injections.
Botulinum toxin type A is US FDA approved for the treatment of severe underarm sweating, a condition called primary axillary hyperhidrosis. Small doses of purified botulinum toxin, injected into the underarm, temporarily block the nerves that stimulate sweating. Side effects may include pain at the sites of injections and flu-like symptoms. Consult your doctor prior to considering Botulinum toxin treatment for other areas of excessive sweating.
HOW DOES BOTULINUM TOXIN WORK?
Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter, which stimulates striated as well as smooth muscles and the secretion of sweat glands. Botulinum toxin blocks the action of Acetylcholine and thus relaxes the muscles responsible for sweating and prevents the glands from producing sweat.
HOW IS BOTULINUM TOXIN INJECTED? IS IT PAINFUL?
Pre care involves the following:
- The patient should remove underarm hair and not use antiperspirants/deodorants for at least 24 hours prior to treatment.
- Prior to injections a Minor’s iodine-starch test is performed on the areas to be treated. The starch test helps us to define sweat distribution.
Botulinum toxin type A is injected by using a very fine needle quite superficially into the skin and in very small amounts that are non-toxic to the body as a whole.
The mild pain felt during the injections is comparable to a mosquito bite.
HOW LONG DOES THE EFFECT OF BOTULINUM TOXING LAST?
Different people have different responses to Botulinum toxin treatment. But for 95% of patients the effect of Botulinum toxin injections for Hyperhidrosis lasts eight to nine months.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I DECIDE TO STOP TREATMENT?
Sweating will gradually return to the level it was before you started treatment.
Possible side effects and post treatment care are similar to those described in the section: Wrinkle Treatment with Botulinum Toxin Type A for Aesthetics and Anti-Ageing.
Other treatment options for hyperhidrosis include:
- Antiperspirants. Excessive sweating may be controlled with strong antiperspirants, which plug the sweat ducts. Products containing 10% to 20% aluminum chloride hexahydrate are the first line of treatment for underarm sweating. Some patients may be prescribed a product containing a higher dose of aluminum chloride, which is applied nightly onto the affected areas. Antiperspirants can cause skin irritation, and large doses of aluminum chloride can damage clothing. Note: Deodorants do not prevent sweating, but are helpful in reducing body odor.
- Medication. Anticholinergic drugs, such as glycopyrrolate (Robinul, Robinul-Forte), help to prevent the stimulation of sweat glands. Although effective in some patients, these drugs have not been studied as extensively as other treatments. Side effects include dry mouth, dizziness, and problems with urination. Beta-blockers or benzodiazepines may help reduce stress-related sweating.
- Iontophoresis. This FDA-approved procedure uses electricity to temporarily down regulate the sweat glands. It is most effective for sweating of the hands and feet. The hands or the feet are placed into water, and then a gentle current of electricity is passed through it. The electricity is gradually increased until the patient feels a light tingling sensation. Several therapeutic sessions are required, each 10 to 20 minutes long. Side effects include skin cracking and blisters, although these are rare.
- Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS). In severe cases, a minimally-invasive surgical procedure called sympathectomy may be recommended when other treatments fail. ETS permanently interrupts the transduction of the neural signal that causes the excessive sweating. It is usually performed on patients whose palms sweat much more heavily than normal. It may also be used to treat extreme sweating of the face. ETS is less effective in patients with excessive armpit sweating.
Contact Details:
Cnr Athol Oaklands Road and Fort Street
Birnam 2196
