Amused
Elite Member
Study Finds Botox Stops Excessive Sweating
By JIM SALTER, AP
ST. LOUIS (July 29) - Even in the dead of winter, David Nolda would wear light-colored short-sleeved shirts, tucking extra cloth up into his armpit in a futile effort to hide the sweating.
From as early as he could recall, Nolda, now 32, would sweat a lot, regardless of the temperature. Making matters worse, as director of annual giving at Saint Louis University, his job involves standing each night in front of 60 to 70 student volunteers.
"You're aware of it, you're always trying to hid it," Nolda said. "It can be hot, it can be cold, it can be raining, it doesn't matter. I would still sweat."
Not anymore. Nolda participated in a university study of those suffering from severe primary axillary hyperhidrosis - severe underarm sweating. Interim results released Friday found that Botox not only smooths wrinkles, it greatly reduces perspiration.
"The fact that this condition causes more debilitation than such serious ailments as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and depression indicates the importance for patients to get the right diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible," said Dr. Dee Anna Glaser, professor of dermatology and lead investigator of the study.
Botox is the brand name for a government-approved substance derived from the botulism toxin. It is best known for temporarily paralyzing muscles to smooth out wrinkles.
The findings are among several new studies assessing Botox safety, usefulness and cost-effectiveness that will be presented this week at a meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology in Chicago.
Those with hyperhidrosis may sweat up to four times as much as an average person, Glaser said. Her past research indicated that up to eight million Americans have the condition. The excessive sweating causes social embarrassment and interferes with daily activities.
Glaser said it is believed the condition results from a malfunction in the sympathetic nervous system, which regulates body temperature. Those with hyperhidrosis apparently produce too much of a specific neurotransmitter, or have sweat glands that overreact to normal levels of the neurotransmitter.
The three-year study at Saint Louis University looked at 193 people. Botox was injected under the arms in some, while others received a placebo.
Nolda said he received 12 to 15 shots in each armpit. The first injections worked for about seven months, the second nearly 10 months. He received another injection in December. "No sweat," he said.
Interim results of the study found that Botox continued to be effective with repeated treatments. It also found that:
Before treatment, 66 percent to 72 percent of patients were dissatisfied with their ability to perform work activities due to sweating. Afterward, just 9 percent to 20 percent were dissatisfied.
The number of patients saying they were "emotionally damaged or injured" because of hyperhidrosis was reduced by about half - 76 percent to 83 percent of patients before treatment, 32 percent to 43 percent after treatment.
Before treatment, only 17 percent to 33 percent of patients were satisfied with their abilities in social settings. Afterward, 78 percent to 88 percent were satisfied.
A few mild side-effects were reported, mostly infections and pain at the injection site.
Nolda called the Botox "life-changing."
"I just don't have to worry anymore," he said.
By JIM SALTER, AP
ST. LOUIS (July 29) - Even in the dead of winter, David Nolda would wear light-colored short-sleeved shirts, tucking extra cloth up into his armpit in a futile effort to hide the sweating.
From as early as he could recall, Nolda, now 32, would sweat a lot, regardless of the temperature. Making matters worse, as director of annual giving at Saint Louis University, his job involves standing each night in front of 60 to 70 student volunteers.
"You're aware of it, you're always trying to hid it," Nolda said. "It can be hot, it can be cold, it can be raining, it doesn't matter. I would still sweat."
Not anymore. Nolda participated in a university study of those suffering from severe primary axillary hyperhidrosis - severe underarm sweating. Interim results released Friday found that Botox not only smooths wrinkles, it greatly reduces perspiration.
"The fact that this condition causes more debilitation than such serious ailments as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and depression indicates the importance for patients to get the right diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible," said Dr. Dee Anna Glaser, professor of dermatology and lead investigator of the study.
Botox is the brand name for a government-approved substance derived from the botulism toxin. It is best known for temporarily paralyzing muscles to smooth out wrinkles.
The findings are among several new studies assessing Botox safety, usefulness and cost-effectiveness that will be presented this week at a meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology in Chicago.
Those with hyperhidrosis may sweat up to four times as much as an average person, Glaser said. Her past research indicated that up to eight million Americans have the condition. The excessive sweating causes social embarrassment and interferes with daily activities.
Glaser said it is believed the condition results from a malfunction in the sympathetic nervous system, which regulates body temperature. Those with hyperhidrosis apparently produce too much of a specific neurotransmitter, or have sweat glands that overreact to normal levels of the neurotransmitter.
The three-year study at Saint Louis University looked at 193 people. Botox was injected under the arms in some, while others received a placebo.
Nolda said he received 12 to 15 shots in each armpit. The first injections worked for about seven months, the second nearly 10 months. He received another injection in December. "No sweat," he said.
Interim results of the study found that Botox continued to be effective with repeated treatments. It also found that:
Before treatment, 66 percent to 72 percent of patients were dissatisfied with their ability to perform work activities due to sweating. Afterward, just 9 percent to 20 percent were dissatisfied.
The number of patients saying they were "emotionally damaged or injured" because of hyperhidrosis was reduced by about half - 76 percent to 83 percent of patients before treatment, 32 percent to 43 percent after treatment.
Before treatment, only 17 percent to 33 percent of patients were satisfied with their abilities in social settings. Afterward, 78 percent to 88 percent were satisfied.
A few mild side-effects were reported, mostly infections and pain at the injection site.
Nolda called the Botox "life-changing."
"I just don't have to worry anymore," he said.
