HEADACHE
FOCUS
Headache
migraine
Tension headaches
Cluster headaches
Neck pain
Traumatic brain injury
Chewing muscle tension (bruxism)
Headaches are among the most common health problems: about 4–5% of the population suffer from daily headaches and about 70% suffer from intermittent or chronic headaches.
Primary headache types
Over 90% of headaches are caused by the two primary types of headache: migraine and tension headache, which can also occur in combination. Primary headaches also include cluster headaches and medication-associated headaches.
In primary headaches, the pain itself is the underlying cause. Their cause is still unknown and therefore cannot always be completely eliminated. Prevention aims to avoid known triggers and factors that contribute to their development. Treatment consists of rapid and sustained pain relief.
Secondary headaches
This means that headaches that occur as a side effect of another illness are much rarer. However, they must be carefully monitored, and their causes must be eliminated quickly if necessary. One cause of secondary headaches can be a so-called dysfunction, for example, in which misaligned teeth and jaws cause tension, which can lead to headaches and even back pain.
We are the Botulinum Outpatient Clinic in Zurich
Botulinum toxin is a highly effective active ingredient used not only to treat wrinkles, but also to treat excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) and migraines. The brand name of this medication originates from the Irish pharmaceutical company Allergan, now ABBVIE, and is well known in society. However, for legal reasons, it cannot be mentioned here and is replaced with BTX.
Botulinum toxin is a protein produced by bacteria. The substance inhibits the release of acetylcholine from presynaptic vesicles, thus interrupting the transmission of impulses from nerve to muscle.
The toxin was first used therapeutically in the early 1970s by San Francisco ophthalmologist Scott to treat strabismus (cross-eyed eyes). In 1982, various research groups began using it for blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm. Since 1984, BTX has also been used for more complex dystonias (e.g., spastic torticollis).
or writer's cramp) and has been used successfully in patients with spasticity since the 1990s.
The treatment itself consists of injecting a few milliliters of the substance into the affected muscles. Pathologically spasmodic muscles can be relaxed by injecting botulinum without causing permanent damage. The effect usually begins after three to five days and lasts for three to four months. Therefore, the treatment is usually repeated quarterly.
Of particular importance is identifying the muscles that trigger the symptoms. This is achieved by examining electrical muscle activity using electromyography. This examination technique can determine which muscles are overactive and how severe this overactivity is.