For most of the population, the word "botulinum toxin" associated with botulism rather than with the use of this substance for medicinal purposes. This is not strange, because botulism – severe toxic-infectious disease, often fatal.
However, today, purified botulinum toxin is widely used in medicine, in particular in cosmetology and neurology. There is even a whole medical direction – botulinum therapy.
Today, the effectiveness of botulinum therapy in the treatment of such a common and unpleasant phenomenon as migraine is of particular interest. To learn more about how the use of botulinum toxin can be used in the treatment of migraines, read on estet-portal.com in this article.
- Almost one in five women suffers from migraine attacks
- The estet-portal.com team attended a master class by Dr. Vadim Beloshitsky
- Why does a migraine attack occur: the mechanism of pain development
- How Botulinum Toxin Can Prevent Migraines
- Are there any contraindications to migraine botulinum therapy
Almost every fifth woman suffers from migraine attacks
About 10% of the population suffers from migraine attacks. The disease is more common in women than in men: almost every 5th woman has a migraine.
Chronic migraine is a headache of a migraine nature, the duration of which exceeds 15 days per month. It occurs in approximately 2% of the population and can significantly impair their ability to work and quality of life.
The presence of migraine attacks is defined by the following characteristics:
1. headache attack lasts from 4 to 72 hours;
2. more often the headache is unilateral (60% of cases), although it can be bilateral;
3. during a migraine attack, you want to take a supine position, physical activity increases the intensity of pain;
4. localization of migraine pain may vary;
5. migraine headache has a throbbing character;
6. headache may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting;
7. photophobia: sensitivity to light during a migraine attack;
8. phonophobia: sensitivity to sounds during a migraine attack.
The presence of at least one of these symptoms is a reason to see a doctor. Independent treatment of migraine with analgesics is not only ineffective, but also dangerous, as it can lead to the development of addiction. Treatment for migraine must be prescribed by a physician on a case-by-case basis.
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The estet-portal.com team attended a master class by Dr. Vadim Beloshitsky
The estet-portal.com team attended a master class on the use of botulinum toxin in the treatment of migraine, which was conducted by the MD, head of the chronic pain treatment group, neurosurgeon Vadim Beloshitsky.
Beloshitsky Vadim Vasilyevich is one of the best specialists in the treatment of chronic pain, including migraine. Trained in Headache and Migraine Management at the Chronic Pain and Neuromodulation Center at St.Thomas Hospital (London, UK).
In her practice, she uses both medical and modern injectable methods of treating headaches, in particular botulinum therapy.
The estet-portal.com team thanks Vadim Vasilyevich Beloshitsky for an informative lecture on the causes and symptoms of migraine, as well as a master class on the use of botulinum toxin preparations in the treatment of this disease.
You can make an appointment with Dr. Beloshitsky Vadim Vasilievich by phone: +380973915641 (from 18.00 to 20.00) and by e-mail: headinjury@ukr.net.
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Why does a migraine attack occur: the mechanism of pain development
We have known since school that the cause of pain is the action of a painful stimulus on the nerve ending.
The onset of migraine headache has slightly different mechanisms.
The fact is that the nerve endings located in the meninges can not only perceive painful stimuli, but also release some substances into the "environment" themselves. These substances are called pain mediators (a mediator is a biologically active substance through which nerve impulses are transmitted).
Affecting the vessels of the head, pain mediators contribute to their expansion, the development of vascular paralysis, blood stasis and aseptic (that is, not microbial) neurogenic inflammation.
Thus, the development of a migraine attack is based on an imbalance at the level of the nervous system, and not at the level of blood vessels, as was previously believed.
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How can botulinum toxin prevent migraines from developing
Botulinum toxin is captured by nerve endings and inhibits the release of vesicles, that is, vesicles containing those same pain mediators. Thus, botulinum toxin blocks their subsequent effect on blood vessels, reduces neurogenic inflammation and improves the patient's condition.
Botulinum toxin also eliminates the sensitization (oversensitivity) of nerve endings to painful stimuli. Thus, injections of botulinum toxin at certain points may temporarily prevent the risk of developing a migraine attack in the future.
It must be understood that it is unfortunately impossible to completely cure migraine. But following all the doctor's recommendations can lead to a significant reduction in the number of migraine attacks, thereby improving the quality of life.
On average, the therapeutic effect of botulinum toxin therapy lasts about three months, after which it is possible to repeat the administration of drugs.
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Are there any contraindications for migraine botulinum therapy
There are also some contraindications to the use of botulinum toxin in the treatment of migraine.
Among them should be highlighted:
1. Individual intolerance to drugs;
2. Age up to two years, pregnancy and lactation;
3. The presence of inflammatory changes in the areas intended for botulinum toxin injections;
4. Presence of myasthenia gravis.
Botulinum Therapy provides for 31 injections of botulinum toxin preparations in the areas determined by the treatment protocol as a result of the studies. It is worth noting that botulinum toxin therapy is not the only method of treating migraine. It is also not a method with which to begin the treatment of the disease. Therefore, the expediency of prescribing botulinum therapy in the treatment of migraine is determined by the doctor in each individual case.
Thus, we can conclude that botulinum toxin therapy is an effective treatment for chronic migraine and can significantly improve the quality of life of people with this disease.
We also note that botulinum toxin therapy is used to prevent the development of migraine attacks, and not to treat the attack itself.
Thank you for staying with estet-portal.com. Read other interesting articles in the "Medicine and Health" section.
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