Symphony Park – January 2016

Symphony Park – January 2016

1/12/16

If you live in Las Vegas, you hear “Botox®” you generally think “cosmetic” – as in smoothed-out traces of aging, such as frown lines and crow’s feet. But for many people who suffer from an under-recognized neurological disorder known as dystonia, Botox and other brands of botulinum toxin mean almost instant relief from pain and disability.

Just ask Brent Bluett, DO, a neurologist who specializes in movement disorders at Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. Each week, the center offers a full-day clinic, the first of its kind in southern Nevada, where Dr. Bluett administers botulinum toxin injections to dystonia patients.

“The effect of the injections can drastically improve one’s quality of life,” he says. “The injections helps patients with constantly tense, contracted muscles relax again. It can work wonders for these people.”

The Treatment of Choice
It’s estimated that up to 300,000 people in the United States have some form of dystonia. Untreated, patients have uncontrollable muscle contractions that cause twisting and repeated movements or abnormal postures, which can be painful and disabling. Dystonia can affect a single muscle, a group of muscles or the entire body. If you know someone who involuntarily blinks one or both eyes, has a head tremor or suffers from “writer’s cramp,” that person may have dystonia.

Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for dystonia, and oral medicines rarely work well. Surgery is available, but it’s considered a last resort. Bottom line: Botulinum toxin injections are the primary and most effective treatment option for most types of dystonia.

How It Works
Any therapy involving the word “toxin” may sound scary, but botulinum toxin injections are approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of dystonia, and very small doses are safe in the hands of a trained professional like Dr. Bluett. “Injected into an affected muscle, botulinum toxin blocks the signal transmitted between a nerve and the muscle,” said Dr. Bluett. “The muscle can then relax temporarily, which allows the patient to regain function and relief from pain. The effect usually lasts about three months, and then the patient returns for a repeat injection.”

So the next time you hear about Botox, remember that it’s good for more than looking younger. It has a medical purpose, too. To learn more about the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health’s botulinum toxin clinic, or to make an appointment, call 702.483.6000.

Photo: Courtesy of Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Brent Bluett, DO, administering a Botox injection to a dystonia patient.

  • Dayvid Figler and Rae Lathrop

    DF: Downtown was great as a kid and it is even greater as an adult. I love all of downtown’s hidden gems, its vibrancy, history and sense of connection. Rae is relatively newer to Las Vegas, but just as passionate about downtown. Downtown lends itself to the shared experience, and as a couple we both love seeing this part of the city through each other's eyes. Photo: Lucky Wenzel

     

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    Some of the best nights I’ve experienced started out with no plan other than walking around to check out what’s going on. The great thing about having so many bars and restaurants downtown is the ability to move around if you’re not feeling the vibe in one place. There are plenty of options just outside the door. Photo: Lucky Wenzel

  • Brandon Wiegand

    The downtown Las Vegas of today has much to attract residents - a burgeoning restaurant and nightlife scene, growing diversity of businesses, and major centers of art and culture. Plus, living downtown I am easily within walking or biking distance of it all. Photo: Lucky Wenzel

  • Hank Gordon, Chairman of Laurich Properties

    It is always a pleasure to deal with the city of Las Vegas’ economic development department. The staff is really interested in helping create a positive business environment to work with.

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    As our company continues its rapid growth, we quickly realized the need to set up a formal U.S. headquarters. We explored multiple cities and were about to make the move to San Francisco, and then we heard about the complete reinvention of downtown Las Vegas. Coming from China where things are booming and growing, we love that downtown Vegas now has a similar vibe of energy and change. Not only is there an exciting tech community here and much lower costs than the Bay Area, but we love the fact that almost every industry group brings their conventions to our front door once a year.

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    The city has been great in helping us with the licensing and procedures necessary to start a business. There hasn't been a brewery built in the city of Las Vegas for probably 10 years. So for them it hasn't been a typical ‘cut and paste’ thing. We're something different. It was a team work process to get us opened – a lot of talk and listening on both sides. And now the city started opening up the doors for other breweries once we were up and running. Good news for us and good news for the future. (Photo: Lucky Wenzel)

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    This downtown area… is emerging and where many events are happening.

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    The city and the department of economic development have been very helpful to us and all the other downtown business owners. It’s such a community here, and everyone asks you what you need. That kind of help launching a business is amazing and priceless.

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    The city is so supportive of new businesses. Things are popping up constantly. (Photo: Lucky Wenzel)

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    Downtown is becoming very much in demand…there’s a limited supply. Run fast, don’t walk.

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    Historically, downtown Las Vegas has not been a top destination for many locals, but in recent years… that trend is reversing itself. Given all the recent openings and progress, there’s much to explore and experience downtown.