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Botox is believed to be primarily a purely cosmetic procedure, but it can also treat health conditions, including chronic migraines.
Since its inception in the late 1980s, Botox has become a popular way to treat conditions like wrinkles and works by injecting a toxin known as Botox into the skin.
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Botox temporarily inhibits nerve cells responsible for sending specific signals to the muscles, causing them to contract, according to Michael Green, a New York-based cosmetic dermatologist. “Botox works by freezing the ends of the nerves, which can cause pain and even relax the muscles,” he added.
How Does Botox Help Treat Migraines?
Worldwide, approximately 30% of people aged 18 to 65 experience migraines each year, with between 1.7% and 4% of adults suffering from chronic migraines.
Migraine goes beyond the usual headache because it causes a throbbing sensation or severe pain, or both. Migraines can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days and can cause nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light. A person suffers from chronic migraines for at least 15 days a month.
Botox is approved by the FDA for the management of chronic migraine at a dose of 200 units / 4 mL or 100 units / 2 mL every 12 weeks.
While not a permanent solution, botox has been shown to help stop migraines before they occur.
“Botox enters the nerve endings around where it is injected and prevents the release of chemicals that go to transmit the pain. This prevents the pain networks in the brain from being activated,” Green says.
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Green has found that many of his patients can limit or completely forgo oral migraine medications after starting botox injections.
Some research has found that around 80% of patients who received botox treatment for migraines experienced a pain reduction of at least 50% after three sessions.
“Botox has one of the best efficacy characteristics we have seen of all migraine treatments,” says Shalini Shah, MD, Vice President of Anesthesiology and Director of Pain Services at the University of California, Irvine.
Are there any risks of using botox for migraines?
The side effects of Botox on the face and neck are the same, both for aesthetic reasons and to treat migraines.
According to Ilan Danan, a neurologist and pain management specialist at the Center for Sports Neurology and Pain Medicine at Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute, the potential side effects of Botox include:
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Headache
Neck pain
Discomfort at the injection sites
Skin irritation
– Dizziness
Sagging face
Flu symptoms
In severe but uncommon cases, the toxin in Botox can spread to other areas of the body. This can lead to difficulty swallowing and breathing, Shah says. If so, contact a doctor immediately.
To help mitigate the risks, Danan and Shah say that taking botox should be avoided in a number of situations such as:
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Pregnancy
– Breastfeeding
Allergy to Botox
Having a skin infection
Who has been diagnosed with a neurological disorder such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or myasthenia gravis (MG)
What to expect when using botox for migraines?
Botox is injected into the forehead, above the eyebrows, between them, the base of the skull and the neck, and these spots are the irritating spots for migraines, Green says.
Botox injections only take a few minutes and don’t cause much pain. After receiving treatment, keep your head upright for at least four hours and avoid massaging the injected areas for three days.
Rubbing the area to be treated can transfer the botox to unwanted areas. Botox is injected superficially and therefore needs enough time without movement for it to dissipate properly, according to Green.
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And refrain from exercise on the day of treatment because it can increase blood pressure, which can cause bruising and swelling.
Shah says patients can start experiencing migraine relief within seven to ten days after treatment. However, Danan adds that some people may need multiple sessions to feel the results.
He explained: “After the injection, we usually see more efficacy in the post-injection sign for six weeks, so we rest until the toxin is separated from the receptor within 12 weeks.”
Source: Business Insider
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