Chronic headaches: Is there more to it?

McLaren Macomb neurologist adds proven, FDA-approved migraine treatment option.

They can begin as a dull pain but can steadily escalate to the dizzy and vice-like “squeezing” sensation, and it can cause a number of side effects that effectively end your day.

But, so what, everyone gets headaches.

By their nature, some are worse than others, true? It’s nothing that a drug store pain reliever can’t fix, right?

This is not always the case, unfortunately. People can reach a point where their headaches become unbearable and far too frequent. Those people should be evaluated by their doctor, who may even feel the need to refer them to a specialist.

Make an appointment with a doctor if:

• For five or more days each month you’re taking medication for a headache.
• Headaches prevent you from continuing tasks, and you may have to stop, lay down and rest.
• If headaches come with additional symptoms:

Botox® for migraines

One treatment for chronic migraines becoming increasingly more common has been Botox®.

Long used for cosmetic procedures, Botox as an FDA-approved migraine treatment option has been proven to significantly reduce the number of days every month patients have had a migraine.

“Chronic headaches can really hamper anyone’s overall quality of life, and as the frequency and severity of these occurrences increase, the more debilitating the results can be,” said Dr. Alex Steinbock, McLaren Macomb neurologist. “Migraines are the most common complaint I get from my patients, and to now have a safe, proven treatment that will have a lasting impact on them is an advantage for everyone.”

Botox blocks the brain’s pain network from activating — through an injection, the substance enters the nerve endings and blocks the release of chemicals that transmit pain.