Botox shown to relieve head and face pain

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According to a study in today’s issue of Neurology, botulinum toxin, more commonly known as Botox, can significantly reduce the pain caused by inflammation of the trigeminal nerve of the head and face.

Containing a small dose of the botulinum-A toxin, Botox has become a household name because of its use in the cosmetic field to smoothen out the appearance of facial wrinkles.  Over the years, Botox has also been studied in patients with migraines and temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ) pain. 

Trige minal neuralgia causes sudden, severe pain in one side of the jaw or cheek.  Triggered by everyday, regular movements while talking, swallowing or brushing teeth, the pain can last several seconds and return repeatedly in a series of attacks. 

American and Brazilian researchers looked at the effects botulinum toxin type A had on 13 people with trigeminal neuralgia, finding after 10 days of Botox treatment there was a significant drop in facial pain.  By 20 days after treatment, patients were, according to researchers, “almost symptom free.”

Sixty days after the Botox treatment four of the patients no longer needed medication, and the other participants cut their medication use by more than 50 percent, according to the report.  Researchers said there were no reported major side effects observed in the patients. 

 

 


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