A Medical Outcomes study of chronic headache patients was completed at the Cleveland Clinic.  They compared loss of various life functions suffered by patients with persistent headaches with the loss of functions in individuals with numerous other medical conditions.    They concluded that:

1. patients with chronic headaches have a level of function worse than that of patients with such chronic diseases as arthritis, diabetes, depression, and back problems.  …the only chronic conditions having similar levels of functional impairment…were myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure.  The only disease state with worse levels of patient well-being and functioning was symptomatic HIV infection (AIDS).
2.  while chronic headache patients may be physically able to function, they routinely function at a level significantly below their physical capabilities.  …the level of functioning of patients with chronic headaches is significantly impaired…  Chronic headache disorders cause significantly more morbidity and impairment of function than has previously been appreciated (Headache Journal, Vol. 33, No. 7, July/August 93).

Botox is being used in many offices (but not ours) in an attempt to reduce migraines and other headaches.  Following are side-effects which have been listed in the medical literature:

-                           Death

-                           Pneumonia

-                           Heart arrhythmia

-                           Myocardial infarction (Heart attack)

-                           Skin rash

-                           Allergic reactions

-                           Weakness of adjacent muscles (may occur due to spread of toxin)

-                           Dry mouth

-                           Dysphagia (difficulty or inability to swallow)

-                           Neck pain

-                           Headache

-                           Back pain

-                           Dizziness

-                           Injection site pain

-                           Dyspepsia – upset stomach

-                           Nausea

-                           Flu-like symptoms – weakness, muscle aches

-                           Torticollis (sudden repeated head movements)

-                           Pain related to Torticollis

-                           Arthralgia (joint pain)

-                           Cough

-                           Myasthenia – muscle weakness

-                           Asthenia – general feeling of weakness

-                           Rhinitis (running nose)

Our goal is to heal the cause rather than mask it with Botox which is made from Botulin toxin which is a poison.

Our goal is to find the cause of migraine and other headaches so that the patient can heal rather than masking the condition with medications.  All medications have side-effects.  The  U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) now warns that one of the most common migraine preventive medications called Topamax causes serious birth defects.

Warning: If you are taking medications for migraines, read this: Certain migraine medications are known to cause death, particularly in patients with heart problems. An article in Pain Medicine News indicated that these warnings are ignored in many cases. Fortunately, by treating the causes, in the vast majority of cases, we are able to resolve persistent migraines without the use of medication.

Click here to see the article: www.painmedicinenews.com/ViewArticle.aspx?d=Clinical%2bPain%2bMedicine&d_id=82&i=February+2012&i_id=814&a_id=20135

Be sure to check back for the latest information on the treatment of headaches and facial pain.  Let Headaches.com be your resource for more treatment information.  Dr. Ira Klemons has successfully treated countless patients with headaches, jaw pain, face pain, tmd, tmj, tinnitus, eye pain, ear pain, and movement disorders.  His knowledge and compassion lend themselves to his successful treatment.  Many hopeless patients turn to the Center for Headaches and Facial Pain in order to finally get relief.