Migraine is one of the most common causes of chronic headache, significantly affecting patients' quality of life. It is estimated that approximately 15% of the population suffers from migraine, and for some people, these symptoms are chronic. Diagnosis of migraine and appropriate testing allow for effective treatment and prevention of migraine attacks. Modern medicine offers various methods of treating migraine, including innovative therapies using botulinum toxin, which offer the chance to reduce the number of attacks and improve quality of life.
A migraine is a recurring, throbbing headache that most often affects one side of the skull and intensifies during physical activity. It may be accompanied by nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and so-called neurological symptoms, such as migraine with aura. We distinguish between migraine without aura and chronic migraine, in which headaches occur at least 15 days a month.
The causes of migraine are complex and still being studied—they include genetic and hormonal factors, stress, lack of sleep, diet, and even changes in the weather. Untreated or poorly treated episodic migraine can become chronic, which is referred to as the transformation of episodic migraine to chronic migraine.
The symptoms of migraine include not only severe migraine pain, but also aura symptoms, visual disturbances, numbness in the limbs, and difficulty speaking. A typical migraine attack can last from several hours to up to 3 days and often leads to the patient being completely unable to perform daily physical activities. Migraine headaches are usually one-sided, throbbing, and intensify with movement.
The prevalence of migraine is high—it is the second most common cause of neurological disability worldwide. Migraine attacks cannot be completely predicted, but they can be reduced through appropriate preventive treatment.
One of the modern and effective methods of treating migraines is the use of botulinum toxin. Although mainly associated with cosmetic procedures, botulinum toxin has also found application in neurology—primarily in the treatment of chronic migraines.
Botulinum toxin treatment for migraine involves administering small doses of the preparation to specific points on the head, neck, and shoulders. Botulinum toxin treatment for migraine leads to muscle relaxation, which reduces nervous tension and the frequency of pain attacks.
According to the guidelines of the Polish Headache Society and the International Headache Society, chronic migraine therapy using Botox is considered the most effective treatment for chronic migraine.
Botulinum toxin treatment for migraine is safe and well tolerated. The procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia and takes about 20–30 minutes. It is an outpatient procedure, so the patient can return home the same day.
The effects of therapy are noticeable after a few weeks – there is a reduction in the number of days with headaches, a reduction in their intensity, and in some patients even a complete disappearance of headaches. Treatment of migraine with botulinum toxin improves the overall well-being and quality of life of patients, reducing the need for pain medication.
Botulinum toxin is used in both aesthetic and therapeutic medicine, from smoothing and reducing wrinkles to treating migraines, bruxism or hyperhidrosis.