When it comes to “Botulinum toxin” type A, many might think of the realm of cosmetic surgery and aesthetics, but currently, Botulinum toxin plays a significant role in the medical field, being used to treat migraines and abnormal movement disorders.
Migraine Headaches
Headaches can occur from many causes, with the most common condition presented to doctors being migraine headaches. They are caused by genetic abnormalities, making the brain more sensitive to stimuli than usual, or due to inflammation of the blood vessels, brain, and nerves. It is more common in females than males, especially between the ages of 25 – 55 years.
Patients with migraine headaches often experience pain on one side of the head, but the pain may shift to the other side or become generalized to both sides. The pain can be severe enough to disrupt learning or work because movements or daily routines can exacerbate the pain. Additionally, patients might experience nausea, vomiting, or develop a sensitivity to bright lights and loud noises.
Botulinum toxin for Migraine Treatment
Patients experiencing chronic migraine headache symptoms, meaning having a headache for at least 14 days per month, can be treated with Botulinum Toxin type A injections. This causes muscle relaxation and is believed to inhibit the nerve endings that send pain signals to the brain, effectively reducing the severity of headache pain. Consequently, it might not be necessary to regularly take headache pain medication.
The doctor will inject Botulinum toxin into 31 points around the forehead, between the eyebrows, the back of the head, the neck, and the shoulders. Research has found that it can reduce pain by 60 – 70%, lasting about 3 months with minimal side effects. Aside from Botulinum toxin injections, migraine can be treated with other methods such as taking preventive medication for 6 months to a year, using vitamins or minerals, combining multiple types of injectable drugs to alleviate pain, and non-medication treatments like acupuncture, physical therapy, learning to control body functions such as breathing, and mindfulness practices.
Besides migraine, Botulinum toxin is also used to treat disorders involving abnormal movements, such as hemifacial spasm and cervical dystonia. This substance helps relieve muscle stiffness or twitching of the facial muscles or eyelids, and correct abnormally tilted necks. Botulinum toxin acts by inhibiting the release of Acetyl Choline at the nerve endings connected to muscles, causing the muscles to weaken. The drug does not work immediately but takes 3 – 4 days to begin acting, reaching its peak effect in the second week and lasting for 2 – 3 months before gradually diminishing.
