Migrane Cure Approved Using Botox

UK drug regulators have approved the use of botox to cure migraines.

The approval comes after a trial of more than 1,300 people showed that it was successful in reducing the amount of headaches suffered.

However the approval will only affect those people who suffer more than 15 migraines per month according to the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.

Exact mechanics of how botox works are unknown but are thought to relax the muscles and block pain signals to the areas it is applied to.

The UK sees an estimated 700,000 people suffering from migraines and charities have previously been concerned that more chronic migraines are not diagnosed properly leaving sufferers struggling to find any effective treatments or remedies.

In clinical trials, patients were given up to five courses of injections of botox into specific head and neck muscles every 12 weeks.

After 24 weeks, those treated with Botox had fewer days with a migraine than those who received a placebo injection.

By one year, nearly 70% of those treated with Botox had a 50% reduction in the number of migraines compared with before the trial.

Lee Tomkins, director of Migraine Action, stressed it was not a “cure” but offered hope for those who suffer the most frequent migraines.

“We have been following these studies really closely and the evidence is really pretty solid.

“These people spend half their lives in pain.

“Even if they get half the attacks, it can really improve their quality of life.”

Sufferers are advised to consult their GPs before attempting the use of botox to see if it was an appropriate treatment.

by Jon Osterland July 11,2010 for http://www.worldnewsheardnow.com/migrane-cure-approved-using-botox/1113/