As a parent, watching your teenager suffer from chronic headaches is heartbreaking. You would do anything to help safely and effectively relieve the pain. Botox – the brand name of onabotulinumtoxin A – is a therapy that might offer help. While most people think of Botox as an injection that smooths wrinkles, it is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a number of other uses, including treatment of migraines in adults. Researchers at the renowned Cleveland Clinic are now using it for managing chronic daily headaches in teens when other therapies have failed.
Chronic Daily Headache
Chronic daily headache affects about 2 percent of teenagers. Teenagers with CDH may experience 15 or more headaches each month. The first line of treatment consists of lifestyle modifications, including:
- getting sufficient sleep
- stress reduction and counseling
- caffeine avoidance
- regular exercise
- limited use of over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
Antidepressants may be prescribed to relieve CDH in some teens.
Affected Teenagers
High-achieving high school students and those dealing with stressful issues at home are often afflicted with CDH. It is important to address academic or personal stress factors that trigger these chronic headaches.
Botox Injections
If conventional treatments are ineffective, your child’s doctor may recommend Botox injections. The FDA approved Botox for treatment of chronic migraines in adults in 2010. In an article published in the April, 2012 edition of Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports, researchers at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center recommend Botox therapy for any patient diagnosed with CDH “if they fail two or more preventive medications.” Their study showed a 30 point drop in pediatric disability score between the initial Botox injection and the following injection, changing affected patients from “severely disabled” from CDH to “moderately disabled.”
Consult the Doctor
If your child has been diagnosed with CDH and standard therapy is not working, speak with the doctor about whether Botox is a suitable treatment for your teen.
Your Laser Skin Care
Your Laser Skin Care Los Angeles will be happy to address any skin care issues or concerns you might have.
We specialize in Botox and Fillers injections, laser hair removal and IPL among many other services. Please please call us at (323) 525-1516 or visit us online at www.yourlaserskincare.com to schedule a free consultation.
