TeachableMedicalNews article 12262020
Teachable moment in classrooms:
- muscular tissue chapter – neurotransmitter release at the neuromuscular junction
- autonomic nervous system chapter – parasympathetic division and its neurotransmitters
- urinary system chapter – role of detrusor muscle in emptying of the bladder
- microbiology – Clostridium botulinum and its toxin
The news item: Recently an unusual report appeared about the anti-wrinkle treatment, Botox:
https://westnewsmagazine.com/2019/11/13/117802/beyond-wrinkles-botox-offers-effective-treatment-for-common-bladder-condition
The article states that people suffering from an overactive bladder may find help for their symptoms from twice-a-year Botox injection.
So, Why Do I Care?? There are about 50 million people in the US suffering from overactive bladder symptoms. While this affliction is not life threatening, everyday life, ability to hold down a job are disrupted by it. There are several medical interventions to help patients, so Botox is the latest to join the remedies.
Plain English, Please!!! First, let’s talk about the mechanics of urination. For urination to happen the muscle (called detrusor) inside the wall of the urinary