Headaches and Botox Injections
By Dr. Larry A. Johnson, D.C.
Most people are unaware that the use of Botox for the prevention of migraine
headaches came about purely by accident. It all happened through the use of
Botox by plastic surgeons. Patients undergoing plastic surgery, who were also
experiencing headaches, noticed that their injections of Botox helped with their
migraine headaches.
Botox, also known as botulinum toxin, is a neurotoxin (a toxin that attacks
nerve cells). It was originally approved by the FDA for use in conditions where
hyperactivity of muscles was an underlying problem of related health and medical
conditions. The theory is that Botox weakens or paralyzes muscles by inhibiting
the release of acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is an ester of choline that is thought
to play an important role in the transmission of nerve impulses at synapses
and myoneural (muscle-nerve) junctions. By inhibiting the release of acetylcholine
the nerves cannot cause a muscle contraction, thus relaxing the muscle. Botox
is administered by being directly injected into the affected muscles.
There are differing theories as to how Botox works to eliminate migraine headaches,
but the exact reasoning remains unclear. One theory is that muscle tension and
spasms are a cause of migraines and by eliminating the muscle tension with an
injection of Botox it will also eliminate the cause of the headaches. If given
Botox before the headache begins it is possible to eliminate the headache before
it even starts.
When muscles spasm it can irritate nerves that innervate them. When these nerves
send signals to the brain in an increased amount it causes pain and possibly
headaches. Botox may affect these nerve cells, inhibiting their transmission,
causing a lessening of the perception of pain. Many researches think that migraine
headaches are a result of inflammation of blood vessels. However, muscle tension
may also play an important role in the cause of headaches.
When researchers test a medication's effectiveness they usually test it through
a double-blind study. This means that some patients are given the medication
being tested while others are given a placebo. A placebo is an inactive substance,
such as sugar, that is given in place of the medication that is being evaluated.
Some tests have been performed that did not involve double-blind studies, but
showed that Botox could prevent migraine headaches. One double-blind study involving
Botox and headaches showed only a small positive effect.
Initial studies may not have shown the full effectiveness of Botox for the
prevention of headaches. The injections were not placed in the typical locations
of the headache pain, but in areas normally injected during plastic surgery.
In subsequent studies, using larger doses and injecting into more specific localities
for the headache pain, the results were improved. These tests were concerning
migraine headaches. However, with tension headaches, or muscle tension headaches,
the studies have shown improved results. This is to be expected due to the weakening
or paralyzing nature of Botox on the muscles that are experiencing tension.
When being injected with Botox for the prevention of headaches it may take
several weeks before the injection takes effect. For this reason it is usually
necessary to have it injected no more often than once every 3 months or so.
People that have Botox administered for the treatment of headaches typically
need it injected every few months. If there is too long of an interval between
injections the headaches may be experienced by the patient.
However, the question arises about the safety of these regular injections of
a neurotoxin. Since 1989, when it was first used as a headache treatment, it
has appeared to be fairly safe. Most migraine headache medications are taken
orally and eventually end up in the blood stream. Because of this common symptoms
of migraine headache medication will be dizziness and drowsiness among other
symptoms. Since Botox is injected directly into the muscle tissue and does not
get absorbed into the blood system as does the typical headache medicine there
are fewer side effects. Most commonly, the only side effects of injecting this
neurotoxin is pain in the area of injection for a couple of days or drooping
of the eyelids for a few days.
Studies are still being performed on this medication and as yet the FDA has
not approved it for the treatment of headaches. However, physicians do prescribe
it to their patients and if you think you are a candidate to use it you should
discuss it with your doctor. If you do not respond to other headache medications
it may be something to talk with your physician about. As the studies continue
the effects and safety issues involving this medication should become more clear. About the Author Dr. Larry A. Johnson, D.C. has patented a popular chiropractor-recommended cushion for the home treatment of headaches, both tension and migraine. Visit his site about headaches - migraine headaches and tension headaches for more information.
Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/article/16789.html
If you wish to add the above article to your website or newsletters then please include the "Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/article/16789.html" as shown above and make it hyperlinked. |
Some other articles by Dr. Larry A. Johnson, D.C. | Are Pain Killers Causing Your Headaches? Do you take analgesics (pain pills) for your chronic headaches? If you do you are not alone, but you may be surprised to ...
5 Ways to Relieve Migraine Headaches Naturally! Most people just take a pain pill, but how safe is that? If you are worried about taking potentially dangerous medications for your migraine headaches maybe you should try one of ...
Do I Have Migraine Headaches? If you have headaches and are wondering if they could be migraine headaches we can probably help you figure that out. There are some very distinctive characteristics of migraine headaches that can differentiate ...
|
|
|