Health Wrap: Studies on Botox, Migraines and Drinking

Researchers have discovered a novel way to increase the potency of Botox, which would translate into less frequent injections and perhaps even enhancing its cosmetic benefits, and it might mean lower prices for the popular wrinkle-remover.

In a medical setting, small doses of the Botox toxin causes localized, temporary paralysis that erases wrinkles and unwanted muscle spasms.

The researchers developed a synthetic molecule that can ‘super-activate’ the neurotoxin, thereby increasing the toxin’s paralyzing effect by as much as 14 times that of the untreated toxin.

But Dr. Michael Bruck, the Director of Plastic Surgery at Juva Skin and Laser Center says this won’t be beneficial for some patients. “Most cosmetic patients we use so little Botox that increasing the potency wouldn’t be so advantageous in fact, it could possibly become disadvantageous if it were too potent than it might be hard to minimize the dose because we adjust the dose for the needs of the patient.”

The new treatment has not yet been tested in humans or animals.

But if further studies prove successful, the technique could be available to consumers in four to six years, according to the researchers.

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Now, Botox is not only used for wrinkles, it’s also a treatment for migraines.

But it’s not getting to folks who really need it, especially teens.

A new study of nearly 19,000 12 to 19 year olds shows migraines are substantially under treated in these teens.

The study found that over a one-year period, 5 percent of boys and close to 8 percent of girls had frequent migraines.

Still, only 39 percent used prescription medications to treat a migraine, and even fewer teens are taking medicines to prevent migraines.

Less than two thirds of teens who met the criteria for preventative treatment of migraines received it.

The findings were presented this week at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology.

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A drink or two a day may be associated with better cognitive function in women, according to a report from an ongoing study of New York City residents.

Their average age was 69.

Women who had up to two drinks a day scored about 20 percent higher on cognitive ability tests, compared to women who didn't drink at all or who consumed less than one drink a week.

It’s believed alcohol prevents cholesterol plaque that blocks arteries, and here, it may be affecting the small vessels in the brain.

It’s recommended that people who drink alcohol do so in moderation.

This means having an average of no more than two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women.

To be clear, a drink is one 12 oz. Beer, 4 oz. of wine, 1.5 oz. of 80-proof spirits, or 1 oz. of 100-proof spirits.

And many experts don’t recommend that nondrinkers start drinking alcohol to seek health benefits.

Drinking alcohol increases the risk of alcoholism, along with high blood pressure, obesity, suicide and accidents.

You should talk to your doctor on the benefits and risks of consuming alcohol in moderation.