Migraine Headache Treatment

A migraine is a severe headache that usually occurs on only one side of the head and is accompanied by a throbbing or pulsating sensation. It increases the chances of nausea and vomiting, and the patient experiences an extreme sensitivity to light and sound.

The causes of migraine are unknown, but scientists attribute the cause to the trigeminal nerve. The trigeminal nerve sends out sensations of pain, touch, and temperature to the brain. When an overactive nerve triggers the trigeminal nerve, it causes inflammation in the blood vessels of the brain. To counter it, our body releases neurotransmitters that develop a feeling of pain.

Here is a list of a few proven methods for treating migraines:-

• Pain reliever medicines
• Nausea medicine
• CGRP receptor antagonists
• Preventive medicines
• Single-pulse Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (STMS)
• Neuromodulation devices

Surgeries

If over-the-counter medications fail to control migraine, our healthcare advisors at metro Hospitals recommend going for surgeries to control migraine attacks and enhance your quality of life. Let’s see the list of two possible surgical procedures:-

Nerve Decompression Surgery

In this procedure, the surgeon uses a small incision behind the neck or head and inserts a specialised instrument through a small cut in the skin. The tissues that are constricting the flow of blood or compressing the nerves will be removed. Once the pressure is released, the surgeon will add extra padding of fat to eliminate the chances of further constriction of nerves.

Neurectomy

Another method employed by our surgeons is Neurectomy, where the surgeon cuts the end of the nerve, preventing it from sending pain signals. Before this procedure, the surgeon & physicians will identify the exact area from where the pain originates and then use an ultrasound scanner to identify the nerves causing pain.

Pre-procedure Preparations

If the experts determine the cause of the migraine and advise surgery as the best possible treatment option, then we give the following instructions to our patients apart from personalised recommendations depending on the complete diagnosis:-

• Maintain a well-balanced diet and keep yourself hydrated before the procedure.
• Quit smoking three weeks before the surgery. Avoid alcohol, blood thinners, and supplements ten days prior to the operation.
• We also recommend you go through blood chemistry and urinalysis to rule out any other causes of headaches.
• We also check your prescribed pain medications before performing any operation.
• You will be advised to shower the night before surgery using antibacterial soap and avoid using shampoo or hair products.

Benefits of the Procedure

Studies suggest that migraine surgeries have a success rate of over 70%. However, we have always been able to keep this rate over 70 owing to the latest advancement in the medical field that we incorporate and our highly qualified & experienced surgeons at Metro Group of Hospitals. Let’s go through the further benefits.

• One in three patients gets completely cured of a migraine
• Prevents any chances of recurrence of the attack.
• Decrease in migraine attack frequency, if not full recovery.
• Hope for a pain-free life.

Eligibility for Migraine Surgery

• Have severe migraines more than once every week.
• Have tried and not benefited from behavioural approaches, medications, and other therapies.
• Be at least 18 years old.

Our healthcare professionals team will also perform the following tests to determine your eligibility:-

• CT scan – A CT scan is used to get an image of the cross-section of the body. This test rules out any other causes of migraines.
• MRI – This test is an alternative to a CT scan since the latter does not produce clear results of the back of the head and spine.
• EEG – This test can be performed if you are suffering from seizures.
• Eye Examination – This test is performed so that we can eliminate eye ailments such as glaucoma as a cause of headaches.
• Spinal Tap – We also remove fluid from the spine to check for brain and spine infections.

Who is not eligible for Migraine Surgery?

Our healthcare professionals will advise you against taking the surgery if:-

• You are allergic to anaesthetics.
• You have kidney ailments and have side effects from the dyes used in CT scans or MRIs.
• You have recently been diagnosed with migraine and are taking medications.

Migraine surgeries are completely safe, and our certified team of medical professionals at Metro Group of Hospitals analyses each and every case to determine whether one is eligible for surgery. Once the treatment is performed, it shows considerable improvement in the patient, which helps you live a pain-free & qualitative life.