Botox: New age cure all?

A friend of mine who just arrived from the US told me that nowadays Botox is used not only to remove wrinkles and frown lines but also for other medical conditions. I find this hard to believe. However, I read in one of your articles that it is used to reduce profuse sweating and to cure migraine headaches, too. Aside from these, what else can Botox be used for? I don’t believe that a poisonous substance can be used in more ways than one.

Doubting Botox’s Power

It is too early to say that Botox is the penicillin of the 21st century but the deadly poison turned wrinkle remover is being put to some startling new uses. Botulinum Toxin (Botox for short) is now being tested by scientists (and often with encouraging results) as a treatment for stroke paralysis, migraine headaches, facial tics, stuttering, lower back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, incontinence, writer’s cramps and tennis elbow. They are also testing its ability to treat obesity by weakening the muscle that allows food to leave the stomach, prevent ulcers by weakening the muscles that force gastric acids into the esophagus and to calm spasms in vaginal muscles that make sex painful. It is also being used to treat newborns with clubfoot from surgery and giving patients with spastic vocal chords back their voice. "It has an enormous potential for relaxing muscles and treating some pain, including severe headaches," says Dr. Robert Daroff. Now virtually any muscle that can spasm and produce painful or embarrassing reactions (like excessive sweating, the kind that can ruin shoe soles, business deals or love lives) is being experimented on. Its importance is being compared to the discovery of corticosteroids and chemotherapy.

In Sickness And In Health?

I fell in love six months ago and I felt like I was walking on clouds. I knew I had to come back down to earth sometime. I didn’t know it would be so soon, and with a loud thud to boot. My girlfriend experienced some pain last month and after a thorough check-up she was diagnosed with having a tumor in her uterus. She will have to undergo surgery and the tumor could turn out to be malignant. I am at such a loss because we just started to get to know each other. Although our relationship is very deep we think we should wait a while because we want to enjoy each other’s company before talking about marriage. We were both married before. But with this tragedy that has happened I don’t know what to think. I love her deeply and care for her but I am afraid of the responsibility of having to cope with a sick person. Of course, she has her family rallying behind her but a lot is expected of me, because I am her special someone. And if I break up because of the illness my guilt feelings will haunt me for the rest of my life. Can you help me sort this out? – Tormented

Now that she is sick, your sweetheart needs your tender loving care more than ever. The power of love and prayers have been known to be the most powerful panacea against any illness. If you love her the way you say you do, your love will be her fortress of strength in this battle for her life. You say you are afraid of the responsibilities of coping with the needs of a sick person but with her family behind her, the sole responsibility is not on you. Give her all the love, support and prayers you can and you will see how fast she will recover from her illness. If you turn your back on her now that she needs you most, no amount of justification will save you from guilt feelings. If the situation were reversed, wouldn’t you want your girlfriend rallying behind you and doing her utmost for you to get well? The Golden Rule applies both ways.

Seeing is believing

I have been wearing contacts and eyeglasses for many years and I would like to do without them. I have read that a minor eye surgery called Lasik can do wonders for me. One of my friends had it and she is happy with the result. Can you please tell me the pros and cons of this operation as I will be spending a good amount of my savings to have this surgery.– Benjo

There is no such thing as a minor eye surgery. Complications such as overcorrection, undercorrection, making the pupil off center, damaging the cornea, inflammation and infection can leave you miserable. You may hear statistics about two percent to five percent complications, but this could still happen to you. You have to talk to a doctor who will tell you the best way to treat your situation. According to an eye doctor I talked to, the first step is to know if you are eligible for Lasik because it is not for everyone. People with severe dry eyes, certain corneal diseases and other select eye conditions should not undergo Lasik. It is used to help correct nearsightedness and astigmatism. But it will not prevent you from needing reading glasses as you get older. As of this writing, I am told that Lasik patients will need reading glasses later in life. The majority of people with mild or moderate nearsightedness can expect to have good results after Lasik surgery. Good results become less certain in cases where the nearsightedness is more severe. Carefully choose a doctor who has had a lot of experience in these innovative new methods. It’s hard to beat solid experience. You wouldn’t want to play Russian Roulette with your eyes.

To sell or not to sell?

I would like to know where and how I can dispose of my expensive house décors, appliances, and furniture. When my mom passed away we did not know what to do with her valuables as we were all married by then. I read of a lady who was able to sell her valuables at a good price and this helped her start a business. I would like to do the same. – Flor

Here are ways and means to dispose of your valuables:

a) Advertise them in the newspapers.

b) Have a tea party and invite all your friends with the purpose of selling all your goods.

c) Consign the house decors in boutiques that are willing to take them.

d) If inviting friends to a tea party is too much work, call up all your friends and tell them about your sale and tell them to spread the word around.

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For your questions: write to Mayenne Carmona, Star Media Inc., 6th floor, Jaka Bldg., Ayala Ave., Makati City.