Migraines are more than severe headaches. They can cause throbbing or pulsating pain along with nausea, sensitivity to light or sound, visual disturbances, and other symptoms that can interfere with work, family life, sleep, and everyday activities. For people living with chronic migraine, the frequency and unpredictability of attacks can be particularly disruptive.
At The Kaga Institute, Dr. Mira Kaga offers BOTOX® for chronic migraine as a preventive treatment for appropriate adult patients. Rather than treating a migraine after it begins, BOTOX is used on a scheduled basis to help reduce the frequency and severity of future attacks.
What Is Chronic Migraine?
Migraine is a neurological condition that can produce recurring headache attacks along with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity, sound sensitivity, and visual changes.
Chronic migraine is generally defined as having 15 or more headache days per month, with migraine features on at least 8 of those days, for more than three months.
Because headaches can have many different causes, an accurate diagnosis is important before determining whether preventive migraine treatment is appropriate.
How can The Kaga Institut help me treat my migraines?
At Dr. Kaga’s concierge practice, we provide treatments that can help prevent headaches and migraine attacks before they even start:
How Can The Kaga Institute Treat Chronic Migraines?
BOTOX® for Migraines
BOTOX® is FDA-approved to prevent headaches in adults with chronic migraine.
While BOTOX is widely known for its cosmetic applications, migraine treatment works differently. Small amounts are injected into specific areas of the head and neck associated with migraine pain. BOTOX helps block the release of chemicals involved in pain transmission, reducing activation of migraine pain pathways.
Treatment is typically repeated approximately every 12 weeks. Results vary, and some patients notice greater improvement after subsequent treatment cycles.
Who Is a Candidate for BOTOX® Migraine Treatment?
BOTOX is specifically approved for the prevention of chronic migraine in adults, rather than occasional headaches or every type of migraine.
During your consultation, Dr. Kaga will review factors such as how frequently your headaches occur, how long they last, associated symptoms, previous treatments, and how migraines affect your daily life. This helps determine whether BOTOX is appropriate or whether another approach should be considered.
Are There Warning Signs Before a Migraine?
Some people experience symptoms before the headache phase begins. These may include changes in mood, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, food cravings, neck stiffness, or increased sensitivity to light and sound.
Some migraines also occur with an aura, which can cause temporary neurological symptoms such as flashing lights, blind spots, zigzag patterns, tingling, or changes in speech. However, not everyone who experiences migraines has an aura.
Migraine vs. Tension Headache: What’s the Difference?
Migraines often cause moderate to severe pulsating or throbbing pain and may be accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light, sound, or movement. They can last for hours or, in some cases, days.
Tension-type headaches more commonly produce a pressing or tightening sensation and are generally not accompanied by the same combination of neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms.
If you’re experiencing new headaches or a significant change in your usual headache pattern, medical evaluation is important rather than assuming the symptoms are migraine.
Chronic Migraine Treatment in Marlboro & East Brunswick, NJ
If frequent migraines are interfering with your daily life, Dr. Kaga can evaluate your symptoms and determine whether preventive BOTOX treatment is appropriate for you.
At Dr. Kaga’s practice, we aim to provide effective treatments to help you live a happier, healthier life. If you suffer from chronic migraines, we will develop a treatment plan to help you. Call today at 848-8-DRKAGA (848-837-5242) or request an appointment through our website. We look forward to seeing you!
