One migraine can ruin an afternoon. Chronic migraines can ruin much more. The condition can affect your productivity at work, your participation in hobbies, and your physical and mental health. Find out how Botox injections can make life much easier for anyone living with this chronic condition. 
 

Migraines in Canada

 
This is not a rare problem. Statistics Canada reported that approximately 2.7 million Canadians had received an official diagnosis for their migraines. Health experts assume that the number is likely higher — an estimated 5 million Canadians — because many people won’t receive a proper diagnosis or understand that their symptoms are related to migraines. 
 

More Than a Simple Headache

 
Migraines often get dismissed as a simple headache. While a tension headache can be just as painful as a migraine, it doesn’t come with other symptoms like nausea, dizziness, vomiting, auras (seeing flashing colours/lights/shadows) and sensitivity to light, sound and smell. Most patients get a small degree of relief when they get to a quiet and dark room. There, they can take a painkiller and wait until the pain finally subsides. 

Migraine patients just can’t power through the situation. No one can complete their office work when colours and lights are obscuring their vision, forcing them to close their eyes. No one wants to finish running errands when their forehead feels like it’s in a vice grip. And they certainly don’t want to push themselves through a workout class when they’re nauseous and willing themselves not to get sick. These debilitating symptoms typically last for up to four hours and leave patients exhausted by the time it’s over.

The reality is that there is a stigma experienced by migraine patients that’s similar to the stigma of mental illnesses like anxiety and depression. Patients feel like their chronic health problem is ignored or disbelieved. They’re suspected of exaggerating the symptoms for personal gain, whether that’s to get out of responsibilities or to get attention.

The distrust can be a massive barrier for patients. It can affect their time in the workplace. An unsupportive employer may refuse to give them time off to recover. And if they have an employer that gives them ample time off, colleagues can assume that they’re getting preferential treatment or that they’re lying about the illness. Even healthcare providers can give disappointing responses to migraine complaints. 
 

How Botox Can Help Migraines

Botox is a solution for chronic migraine patients that feel like they’ve tried everything else — prescription medication, acupuncture, cognitive behavioural therapy, etc. — with unsatisfactory results. Anyone who suffers from 15 or more headaches a month is recommended to try this treatment option for relief. Many patients find that it reduces the number of headaches they have in a month, making it easier to manage the demands of everyday life.

The use of Botox for migraine relief was first approved by Health Canada in 2011 and has been touted as an effective treatment ever since. Botox is a neuromodulator, so it blocks the chemical signals to your brain telling it that it’s in pain. For patients, this can mean fewer headaches.

Migraine patients receive a total of 31 injections. The Botox injection sites are located on the forehead, temples, the back of the head, the back of the neck and in the shoulders. They will have to return to the clinic every 3 months to maintain the results.

Gender Differences with Migraines

Women are more likely to deal with migraines. The theory behind this is that women deal with more hormonal fluctuations throughout their life, which can trigger migraine phases. The problem often begins with puberty and it can worsen during menopause.

Reports show that fewer men experience migraines, but the information should be taken with a grain of salt. The results about gender can be skewed because men are less likely to seek help for their symptoms and get official diagnoses from medical professionals. This forum research poll revealed that men are less likely to speak about their health concerns and are more likely to delay doctor appointments when they fear something is wrong. It’s possible that there are more men out there dealing with chronic migraines.
 

Stigma with Botox

 
While there is a stigma for migraines, there is also a stigma for Botox. People are worried about getting the treatment because they think others will judge them. The representation of the procedure in the media isn’t favourable. TV shows only focus on the cosmetic side of Botox, never on the medical side. You can click here to see what television shows get wrong about the clients looking for treatment, the results and more.

Women are less likely to worry about judgment over Botox. On the other hand, men experience more social pressure to avoid injections. The men that get the injections can feel compelled to hide the information, even from close friends and family.

Luckily, there has been a steady rise of men and Botox over the years, meaning that the stigma is starting to fade and will soon disappear. More male clients are coming into the clinic and admitting that they’ve had work done. Almost half of the patients at Baywood are men.
 

Come in for a Consultation

 
If you’re thinking of getting Botox treatment for migraines, you should call our clinic and book a consultation. During this consultation, you will talk to one of the top Botox experts in Toronto about your chronic problem to see if you’re a good fit for the procedure. If they feel like you’re an appropriate candidate, they will explain the details about your first appointment and answer all of your questions.

Before going to your first session, you should explore more of our website. You can find out essential information like the cost of Botox treatments in Toronto and what to do directly after getting your injections. If you have any pressing questions or concerns, give us a call or send us an email. We’ll get back to you right away.

Chronic migraines aren’t easy to live with. If you suffer from this exhausting problem, you should consider using Botox injections to reduce the number of headaches during the month and lower their intensity. After getting frustrating results from other medications and treatments, a single round of Botox could feel life-changing.