Aug 21, 2009 11:00 am US/Central
Cosmetic Procedure Could Help Migraine Sufferers
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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There are more than 30 million people who suffer from migraines in the United States. (File)
CBS
There are more than 30 million people who suffer from migraines in the United States. The pain is debilitating, and medications just don't work.
But now researchers have discovered an extreme medical breakthrough that just may permanently put an end to migraine pain, CBS station WCBS-TV reported.
Migraine sufferers like Larissa Bizzulli said the headaches are so debilitating when one hits it's all she can do to crawl back into bed and hide under the covers.
"Like the whole top half is just going to shoot off," Bizzulli said. "The slightest little bit of sound feels like elephants running through your head."
She's been getting them for the last eight years, mostly triggered by damp weather and to get rid of them she's tried just about every over-the-counter medication.
"Oh my God my head hurts so much. Let's try two of these and two of these and let's see if two of these help, something has to help," Bizzulli said.
But for many patients over-the-counter medicines just don't work. Prescription drugs don't help all migraine sufferers, either.
"One of the problems with treating people for migraines is that a medication that may work for one person, may not work for another one," said Dr. Lawrence Newman, director of the Headache Institute at Roosevelt Hospital.
In a study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, doctors found a common cosmetic procedure may permanently erase more than just wrinkles. Believe it or not, it could cure migraines.
"The way the study came about was some plastic surgeons were doing an eyelid lift and they found that those patients who went for that procedure who were also migraine sufferers said that their headaches were better also," Dr. Newman said.
Here's how the study worked: Doctors gave one group of participants a face-lift, removing muscle tissue where the patient experienced pain. On a second group, doctors faked the procedure. The patients had no idea.
"Eighty percent of those patients who had the surgical procedure had a significant reduction in their migraine frequency or severity," Dr. Newman said.
With such encouraging results many migraine sufferers say they may be willing to go under the knife.
"I think on a bad day, I might actually consider it," Bizzulli added.
But Dr. Newman is cautious, saying additional studies need to be conducted because more than half the people who had the fake procedure also stopped getting migraines.
"Perhaps it's promising. It's very early and I would suggest people don't run out and ask their doctors for this," Dr. Newman said.
Migraines can be triggered by many factors -- from food and stress to hormonal changes or interrupted sleep. Identifying the trigger is the key to stopping the chain reaction.
Nearly 1 in 4 homes have someone afflicted by migraines.
To read more about the study, please click here.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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