subject: Do You Suffer From Migraines? Here's How BOTOX Can Help [print this page] Do You Suffer From Migraines? Here's How BOTOX Can Help
We've all experienced an intenseheadache at some point, and know how incapacitating they can be. For 12% of Americans thesedebilitating headaches whichcause severe pulsing or throbbing pain occur on a regular basis, and are better known as Migraine headaches.
Migraine headaches, however, are not like your simpleheadache. Theycan trigger a wide range of symptoms including nausea/vomiting, fatigue, shoulder/neck pain, and a sensitivity to light and sound. Migraine sufferers usually isolate themselvesto adark and quietsetting until the episode of pain passes, which often can take anywhere from a fewhours to days. Patients often find themselves makinglifestyle adjustments, and trying several different prescription medication in order to cope with their migraines.
Just as finding an exact cause for the development of migraines has been a challenge, so has finding an effective treatment. Common medications used in the treatment of migrainesinclude antidepressants, blood-pressure medications and medications that target the brain chemical serotonin, which is involved in regulating mood, satiety and satisfaction. Each of these targets a specific aspect in the suspected cause of migraines, howevereach also comes withits own set ofside effects, andnone have been veryeffective in treatingmigraine patients. Moreover, while certain medications may be useful in the treatment of an acute episode of a migraine, there is a limitation of effectivemedical options when it comes to the prophylaxis and prevention of the onset of migraine headaches.
It was by pure accident that the use of BOTOX was found to be effective in the prevention of migraine headaches. Physicians using BOTOX on their patients for cosmetic purposes were being told by certain patients that ithad also resulted in relief of theirmigraine symptoms. This led to numerous case studies over the past seven years which provided evidence that migraines andchronic tension headaches may respond to BOTOXinjections.
The exact mechanism by whichBOTOX prevents headaches is unclear. One theory is thatBOTOXmay reduce the perception of pain, which means sufferers become less sensitive to headaches and triggers overall.BOTOX alsorelaxes muscles and reduces tightness in various areas,therefore reducing patients'sensitivity in potential trigger points. If migraine sufferers receiveBOTOXinjections in the muscles that become constricted often, they may reduce the frequency of migraine episodes and related symptoms.
The administration of BOTOX for the treatment of migraines is technically simple, and usually takes about 10 minutes when done by a qualified physician.Multiple injections are giveninto seven specific sites around thehead and neck. BOTOXdoes not cause anysystemic or serious side effects, and when injected at labeled doses in recommended areas, is expected to produce results lasting up to three months depending on the individual patient.
Since its discovery as a benefit for the prevention of migraine headaches many patients have started toprefer BOTOXinjections over conventional prescriptiondrugs because of its apparently high efficacy and remarkable safety. This led to the FDA's approval of BOTOX in October, 2010 for treatment of patientswith chronic migraines, which is defined as a "distinct and severe neurological disorder characterized by patients who have a history of migraine and suffer from headaches on 15 or more days per month with headaches lasting four hours a day or longer."
If you or someone you know fall into this category of chronic migraine patients, make sure youdiscuss with yourdoctor to seewhetherBOTOX is appropriate for you.
