Friday, June 14, 2013

Using Botox To Treat Migraines

By Cali Marinaw


In recent times, the uses for botulinum toxin treatments has increased significantly. Applications in cosmetic surgery and muscle spasticity disorder are now well recognized and are offered at a number of different centers all over the world. For a short time now, some patients have been receiving botox injections in order to treat their migraines.

Below, we will be going over how botox treatments have been used as of late to for this reason.

Background

Botox injections work by paralyzing the nerves and blocking the flow of nerve signals, thus relaxing the muscles. Clostridium botulinum is a bacterium contained in these injections, and that is the cause of the effect. The main usage is for muscles different parts of the eyes, face and body to be relaxed, which will increase muscle tone and make the general muscle function be improved.

Botox for migraine treatments

The release of the neuro-chemical serotonin is the main way for migraines to be mediated. This is not affected by botox, however, patients notice a decrease in pain from migraines after having the treatments.

This is still being researched and the reasons for the correlation are not clear at this time, but people are still pleased with the results they receive for their migraine issues. Botox has been suggested to be injected at 31 to 39 different points in the scalp. The most common theories that have been put forth:

Number one would be that pain signals in nerves are blocked by these injections.

Next, that it relaxes the scalp muscles and may help reduce blood pressure within the brain

The research is still preliminary, but at this point, it seems that patients are finding that their headaches are less painful and frequent, and they are happier in general.

When a patient reports migraine headaches that happen for over 15 days a month, and do not receive relief from other types of treatment are sometimes recommended to have botox injections. There is another condition that migraine sufferers sometimes are face with at times called analgesic overuse headaches, which are caused by the overuse of painkiller medication.

If they treatments make it so that less than 15 days a month are headache free, or if they have at least 2 cycles of botox without seeing any relief, then this may not be the right treatment for that particular patient.

Are risks a factor?

Botox injections into the scalp may cause neck pain and allergic reactions, but these are rare.

Conclusion

The uses of botox are still growing and its application in migraine is novel. Botox treatments for chronic migraine look like they are effective, but at this time, further study needs to be concluded in order for these claims to be verified.




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