Can botox help with an aura migraine?

Migraines can be debilitating, causing nausea, pain and other symptoms that prevent you from carrying on with your day.

Migraines are a common condition. According to the National Migraine Centre, they affect around one in five women and one in twelve men.

There are two main categories of migraine – without and with an aura.

Here, we explain what an aura migraine is, its symptoms, causes and the effective treatment available to help you manage them.

What is a migraine with aura?

Whilst some migraines occur without an aura, for around 20%-25% of migraine sufferers* the ‘aura’ is the warning sign that a migraine attack is imminent.

*Source: National Migraine Centre

However, auras can also happen on their own, without the pain and symptoms associated with a migraine.

Auras usually develop over about five minutes and last for up to an hour.

According to The Migraine Trust:

“Auras are most commonly to do with your sight. Your speech can also be affected. Some people feel disoriented or confused, or can faint, although this is rare.”

Common aura symptoms associated with sight include:

Blind spots or temporary blindness
Seeing coloured spots or lines
Seeing flashing or flickering lights
Seeing zig zag patterns

Other aura symptoms can include:

A numb or tingling sensation in parts of your body
Muscle weakness
Feeling dizzy

Migraine symptoms

Following the aura warning signs, when a migraine strikes, the symptoms can be incapacitating.

Common migraine symptoms include:

A headache that is usually on one side of your head, often with throbbing pain

Nausea or vomiting
Sensitivity to light, sound or smells

What causes a migraine?

As the National Migraine Centre explains:

“The underlying cause of migraine is not yet certain, but most experts think the neuronal malfunction results from a disorder in the ion channels on nerve membranes. This disorder is thought likely to be genetic (passed on in families), but the triggers of attacks are often your environment or lifestyle.”

Common triggers for migraines can include:

Stress
Low blood sugar
Alcohol
Hormonal changes (such as during periods or menopause)
Lack of sleep

It can be helpful to start a ‘migraine diary’ to keep a record of migraine attacks and your symptoms. It will help you to better understand any triggers to help you manage recurrence.

Treatment for aura migraines

Migraines often require prescribed medication such as triptans or anti-nausea drugs. Understanding any triggers, making lifestyle changes, and managing stress can also be helpful.

Botox for migraines is a recognised medical treatment that is highly effective for all types of migraines. Our expert practitioner will assess you to ascertain whether this is a suitable treatment for you.

Botox for aura migraines

Botox (botulinum toxin type A) is a type of treatment known as a nerve toxin. Botox blocks the release of neurotransmitters from nerves. Neurotransmitters carry pain signals, therefore by blocking them the pain caused by migraine is prevented.

By relaxing muscles and reducing muscle contractions, botox also alleviates tension and helps to effectively manage migraines.

Where is botox administered?

A small amount of botox is carefully targeted into specific sites. These can include the areas above the bridge of the nose, forehead, temples, back of the head, top of the neck and the trapezius muscles that run from the neck across the shoulders.