There's a new reason for chronic migraine sufferers -- most of whom are women -- to smile. Health Canada has given doctors the go-ahead to use Botox injections in adults who get migraines 15 or more days a month, according to the Globe & Mail.
While Botox is commonly used as a temporary cosmetic procedure to reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles, regularly injecting 195 units of Botulinum toxin A into seven muscles in the head and neck has been found to keep migraines at bay.
Although Health Canada announced in 2009 that the neurotoxin used in Botox may also spread to other parts of the body, no doubt many sufferers will be delighted to go under the needle if it helps ease their migraine attacks which the World Health Organization claims can be more disabling than "blindness, paraplegia or rheumatoid arthritis."
The triggers of migraines vary, from stress and diet to sleep habits. Ironically, the side effects for Botox treatment include droopy eyes, muscle pain, bronchitis – and migraines.
Migraine sufferer? I am, but certainly not 15 times a month. Will you give Botox a try?
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