Botox Is Not Just for Crow’s Feet - Migraine Sufferers Now Benefit from Botox - By: Carol DesRuisseaux

Botox has been used for over a decade to smooth away wrinkles, especially crow’s feet and forehead wrinkles. More than 11 million people worldwide have received Botox treatment to reduce the appearance of aging. Yet, to the surprise of many people, Botox is not just for crow’s feet. It has been used since the late eighties to treat various medical conditions and now the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Botox for the treatment of chronic migraine headaches.

Chronic migraine headaches are debilitating and is a condition that affects nearly 12 percent of Americans. Not only does the patient suffer from painful headaches that last for days or weeks, the headaches are often accompanied by nausea and the inability to tolerate light and sound. Thus, patients who suffer from chronic migraine headaches usually find their home, work, and social lives greatly affected.

Now migraine sufferers have a new option available to them for treatment. Following two clinical studies published in the medical journal “Cephalalgia” in March 2010, the FDA approved Botox (OnabotulinumtoxinA) for the treatment of chronic migraine headaches. The studies were double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled with more than 1,300 study participants. At the end of the two clinical trials, the researchers concluded that Botox is safe and “effective for prophylaxis of headache in adults with chronic migraine.”1,2 Further, multiple studies since the initial March studies continue to be published on the ongoing effectiveness of Botox treatment for chronic migraines.

Patients interested in receiving Botox treatment for chronic migraine headaches should consult with a physician to determine if treatment is right for them. Cosmetic surgeons are skilled and experienced in performing Botox injections. Botox treatment for migraines is administered in multiple injections into specific head and neck sites identified to reduce the severity and frequency of the migraine headaches. Treatment is given at 12 week intervals with results lasting up to three months. Results vary by patient.

Botox treatment is not for everyone and should be administered only by a licensed medical professional. Allergan, the maker of Botox, and the FDA warn of the adverse side effects of Botox, which some people may experience. These include neck pain, hoarseness, headache, vision problems, and muscle weakness in some patients. Patients receiving treatment should communicate immediately with their physician about any side effects they experience.

In addition to treatment for chronic migraines and its cosmetic applications in reducing the signs of aging, Botox is also being used and studied as a treatment for various other medical conditions. These conditions include neck and facial spasms, head and neck tremors, excessive sweating, and even writer’s cramp.

Botox is a non-surgical procedure applied with needle injections. It has proven to be safe and effective in clinical studies for various conditions including chronic migraine headaches. Additional benefits of Botox continue to be studied. For more information or to receive a Botox consultation, visit a local cosmetic surgery center with experience in performing Botox treatments.

References

1. Aurora SK, Dodick DW, Turkel CC, DeGryse RE, Silberstein SD, Lipton RB, Diener HC, Brin MF. OnabotulinumtoxinA for treatment of chronic migraine: results from the double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled phase of the PREEMPT 1 trial. “Cephalalgia.” 2010 Jul;30(7):793-803. Epub 2010 Mar 17.
2. Diener HC, Dodick DW, Aurora SK, Turkel CC, DeGryse RE, Lipton RB, Silberstein SD, Brin MF. OnabotulinumtoxinA for treatment of chronic migraine: results from the double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled phase of the PREEMPT 2 trial. “Cephalalgia.” 2010 Jul;30(7):804-14. Epub 2010 Mar 17.

About the Author

Laern more about Botox and Butt Lift Houston visit us at: Gohoustoncosmeticsurgery.com.

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