Chronic migraine disrupts scores of people’s lives. We know that about 40 million Americans live with the condition.
Migraine isn’t just a simple headache — this is a disabling neurological condition that causes intense pain, nausea, light sensitivity, and more symptoms — which differ significantly depending on the individual.
Even more challenging is living with chronic migraine, which means you’re struck by 15 or more migraine headaches within a 30-day window of time.
Though there’s no cure for migraine, there are treatments that can provide relief, and an exciting one is BotoxⓇ, the cosmetic treatment that most people associate with reducing facial wrinkles and lines.
The caring provider team of neurologists and sleep specialists at Houston Neurological Institute is dedicated to finding the most effective treatment for each individual patient, and Botox treatment for those living with migraine is helping more and more patients.
As we noted before, migraine manifests differently in each individual affected, and symptoms can include:
The phases that precede and follow a migraine attack also cause symptoms. The prodrome phase, which begins up to 24 hours before the pain phase arrives, can be accompanied by food cravings, changes in mood, fluid retention, and urinating more than usual.
Some people experience an aura phase, which can occur right before or during the pain phase. The aura can cause you to see uneven lines in a zig-zag pattern and bright or flashing lights, or to struggle with speech.
For people who experience something called the postdrome phase, which follows the headache, symptoms may include intense fatigue, weakness, and even confusion that can linger for as long as a day.
It’s obvious that enduring these symptoms continually has a major negative effect on a person’s quality of life, interfering with relationships, work, school, and more.
The discovery that Botox also helps migraine has been a game changer for those who live with chronic migraine.
When you have a migraine attack, some nerves become extremely active. Botox is successful at delivering relief for migraine because it blocks pain signals prior to their reaching your brain.
Treatment involves quick injections with a very small needle in certain muscles on your head, neck, and shoulders that direct pain signals during a migraine attack. The Botox moves through your nerves toward your brainstem and prevents chemicals that trigger pain from being released.
Most who’ve gotten treatment describe it as a brief pinching sensation.
Significant benefits that Botox treatment for migraine offers patients include:
After you’re treated with Botox for migraine, you should lie down for four hours and refrain from playing sports or washing/rubbing your face, head, or neck. You should also wait at least 24 hours to color your hair or use any chemical treatments.
The Houston Neurological Institute team is here not only to treat your chronic migraine, but they do all they can to find the root cause of your headaches and create preventive strategies — including lifestyle changes — as part of your detailed treatment plan, as well as offer tips for shutting down a migraine attack when it happens.
If migraine has made your life unmanageable, call our Pearland or Pasadena office today to book an appointment, or use our convenient online booking tool.
