Neurologist Advises: Botox for Chronic Migraines Provides Relief to Those Suffering
(PRWEB) July 16, 2014 -- For adults with Chronic Migraines, clinically indicated as 15 or more headache days a month, each lasting 4 hours or more, BOTOX® is the first and only FDA-approved preventive treatment proven to reduce headache days every month. BOTOX® can prevent up to nine headache days a month. Brody Henkel, M.D. of Neurological Specialties of Tampa is now speaking about the administration of Botox within his practice to help those suffering from this chronic condition and want to shed light on this new prevention therapy.
Not knowing when a headache or migraine will occur can be challenging. While other treatments may help you once you already have a headache, a preventive medication like BOTOX® therapy is approved to help prevent headache days.
BOTOX® (onabotulinumtoxinA) is a prescription medicine that is injected to prevent headaches in adults with chronic migraines, according to Allergan, the manufacturer of BOTOX®. There are many ways to manage Chronic Migraines; most medications are either acute or preventive.
Headache Specialists often prescribe preventive medications for Chronic Migraine patients; however, a treatment plan may include acute and preventive treatment, so it's important to understand how they work to manage Chronic Migraines.
Henkel provides insight that patients should discuss with their doctor whether it is appropriate for them to include BOTOX® as a preventative treatment. Appropriate questions to consider should include:
1. On average, how many days each month do you experience headaches?
2. On average, how many days per month are you headache-free?
3. Do you have headaches that last 4 hours or more?
4. Do you experience nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light or sound with your headaches?
5. How much of an effect do headaches and/or migraines have on your daily life?
“It may take several weeks for a patient to experience a response to the treatment,” says Henkel. “Patients typically experience an initial response by the time we check in for their four-week evaluation and then at 24 weeks, the treatment has proven to prevent chronic migraines.”
BOTOX® therapy is injected every 12 weeks.
Henkel also explains, “A total of 31 injections are made to seven key areas of the head and neck. We use very fine needles, so that the injections feel like tiny pinpricks. Some patients experience temporary mild discomfort, but overall the treatment is fairly manageable for our patients.”
About Neurological Specialties: Founded in 1980, Neurological Specialties is the only medical group in the Tampa Bay area with both neurologists and neurosurgeons together in the same practice. The office is located at 2816 West Virginia Avenue, in Tampa, Florida. For more information, visit http://www.neurologicalspecialties.com.
About Dr. Henkel:
A Florida native, Dr. Brody L. Henkel graduated from the University of Florida, earned his medical degree at St. George’s University, and completed his Neurology Residency and Fellowship in Clinical Neurophysiology at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Dr. Henkel is a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, and is board eligible in Electrodiagnostic Medicine. He has a special interest in the delivery of EMG/NCS and EEG studies, which are available in the office on a full-time basis.
Jennifer Vickery, National Strategies Public Relations, 813-865-3093, [email protected]
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