Imagine a headache so severe that every ray of light is too bright and every sound is too loud. People who suffer from chronic migraines are often confined to their bed for days, waiting for it to pass. But a treatment that has already taken the cosmetic world by storm is on the rise to fight migraines: Botox.
What is a migraine?
A migraine is a severe, pulsating headache that usually occurs on one side of the head. With about 12 percent of the United States experiencing migraines, it is a relatively common condition that affects children, teenagers, and adults alike.
The phases of a migraine:
Migraines can be divided into four stages, although it is important to note that not everyone will necessarily experience all stages, as every migraine is different.
The first stage is called prodrome, and it occurs up to 24 hours prior to the headache. Symptoms include mood changes, increased urination, nausea, fatigue, insomnia, and food cravings.
Aura is next. During this stage, vision loss, muscle weakness, pins and needles sensation, sensitivity to light, and difficulty speaking are common. Aura can happen before or during a headache. It usually lasts for around 60 minutes.
The third stage is the headache attack, which lasts between four and 72 hours. This stage is characterized by a throbbing pain on one or both sides of the head, nausea, and sensitivity of the sensory organs.
Finally, postdrome occurs. During this stage, which lasts no longer than 2 days, patients experience symptoms like neck stiffness, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.
What is Botox?
Botulinum toxin, also known as Botox, uses a toxin to temporarily prevent muscle movements. Botox is injected into the lower skin layer, called the dermis, where it blocks chemical signals from nerves that cause muscle contraction. The injection isn’t very painful; however, the skin is usually numbed beforehand using ice, local anesthetic, or massage. While Botox is most commonly used to smooth wrinkles, it can also ease the symptoms of medical conditions like neck spasms, lazy eye, and migraines.
How does Botox stop migraines?
Though it isn’t entirely certain how Botox relieves or prevents migraines, researchers assume the following:
During a migraine, neurotransmitters released from the brain travel beyond the spinal cord to the head and neck through neural pathways. These neurotransmitters carry pain signals from the brain, and when they arrive at nerve endings, we feel the pain associated with migraines.
Botulinum toxin helps relieve this pain by interrupting its transmission pathway. When injected into the muscles around the face, head, and neck, Botox is absorbed by the nerves at the neuromuscular junction (the place where nerves and muscles meet). There, it stops the transmitters before they reach the nerve endings, thereby relieving pain.
What to expect
Botulinum toxin treatment is recommended for people over the age of 18 who experience more than 15 days of migraines per month.
During Botox treatment, specialists inject the substance into the muscles of the face and neck using a small needle. The specific injection sites vary from patient to patient, but the most common locations include the forehead and the temples. The procedure is typically painless, as the area is numbed.
Some patients report relief from migraine pain after two to three weeks, while others require multiple treatments and several weeks to see results.
Overall, Botox is a highly effective treatment option for migraines. If you meet the criteria for eligible patients, I recommend consulting your physician about it.
Sources
Migraines
Botox
How does Botox stop Migraines
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https://narainhospital.com/spine_and_brain/migraine/ Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board