Botox, known for removing wrinkles and all traces of character from a person's face, has caused sixteen deaths this year and scads of lesser injuries. Only one of those deaths has been from the cosmetic procedure, however.
Many problems occurred during a treatment of Cervical Dystonia, a disease that knots up the neck muscles. The Botox gets injected about the throat and neck, usually causing relief for the sufferer but can sometimes paralyze the esophagus, causing swallowing and breathing difficulties.
Botox is a paralytic neurotoxin that can really screw up your moving parts, and once injected into the body, may spread to internal organs or important muscle groups.
Imagine buying a Spider-Man action figure with 12 points of articulation. Let's say that Spider-Man's arm breaks off at the shoulder. You repair it using crazy glue, but some of that glue drips down into the elbow joint. Now Spider-Man can't move his elbow. I've just drawn an unnecessary parallel to Botox. You are welcome.
Some Danish guys found over 600 Botox-related dangers. The biggest danger is long-term muscle weakness.
"It will make you weak as a kitten," said a Danish scientist, "not even a kitten who works out, but a wimpy kitten that gets picked on by other kittens. All the bully kittens wear leather jackets that have the word "TUFFY" written on the back."
"Winters are long here," he added.
Botox is still a viable medicine that can treat a variety of ailments, but patients need to be warned about its possible side effects.
Cervical Dystonia is treated by Neurologists. Dermatologists use Botox to treat wrinkles. Find a doctor near you.
