The throbbing headaches, sensitivity to bright lights or loud sounds, and other symptoms that characterize a migraine attack can bring life to a standstill. Oral migraine medications taken at the first sign of a migraine attack may help alleviate symptoms, but if you tend to get migraine headaches very often, preventive treatment in the form of Botox injections might be the best treatment option for you.
Botox a.k.a. OnabotulinumtoxinA was approved for treatment of adults who suffer from chronic migraine attacks in the year 2010. You should have a history of migraine attacks and get headaches for 15 or more days in a month to be a candidate for this treatment.
How Botox Works
Doctors found that Botox injections which were injected to treat facial wrinkles had an unexpected positive side effect. Patients (who coincidently suffered from headaches) reported that their headaches improved after the injections.
In subsequent studies conducted on patients with chronic migraine headaches, Botox shots reduced the number of days patient experienced migraine headaches and even other types of headaches. In one study, 50% patients reported the number of days they suffered from migraine headaches reduced to half after just 2 rounds of Botox shots. After 5 rounds of Botox injections, 70% of patients reported a similar reduction of symptoms.
It has been suggested that Botox injections block certain chemicals (neurotransmitters) which carry pain signals from the nerves of your head and neck region to the brain. For best results you should seek treatment from doctors that are trained to administer Botox injections specifically for relief of migraine symptoms.
North Suffolk Neurology is a full-service Neurology, Headache Medicine, and Sleep Medicine practice consisting of dedicated, experienced staff committed to helping our patients and their families maintain and improve their health. To schedule an appointment, please call: (631) 364-9119.
