My Aching Head: Migraines and Facial Surgery

By Brooke Strickland
Writer for FEP International

For those of us who have had migraines, we know that they can be excruciating and sometimes debilitating to every day life. A new study suggests that facial surgery to remove sections of muscles or nerve tissue that often elicit migraines may provide steady relief for those who suffer from regular migraines [1]. The study, conducted by Dr. Guyuon and his colleagues from the University Hospitals of Cleveland and Case Western Reserve University, examined individuals who had migraine headaches that originated in the front, side, or back of the head. They injected Botox into the muscles to paralyze the muscle; patients were then divided into two surgical groups. One group received a face lift operation combined with the removal of muscle tissue or nerves in the area that triggered their headaches. The second group received a placebo procedure that made incisions but all muscles and nerves were left in place. After one year, 57% of the patients who received the face lift surgery reported they had no more migraines, and 84% reported their migraines were reduced by half.

This migraine treatment will likely not become the “norm” in treating those who suffer from these headaches. While migraines sometimes come on out of no where, there are certain triggers that can fuel their arrival. So, if you are prone to getting headaches of this capacity, know some of the common triggers so you can try to avoid them when possible.

- Certain foods and drinks: Some of these include beer and wine, aged cheeses, caffeine, chocolate, monosodium glutamate, salty foods, or processed foods. Also, skipping meals or fasting can be a sure way to bring on a headache.
- Stress: Stress at home or at work are common causes of migraines.
- Sensory stimuli and physical activity: Loud sounds, strong smells such as perfume or secondhand smoke, bright lights, or heavy physical exertion can instigate migraines.
- Changes in sleep patterns: Getting too little or too much sleep has been shown to trigger some migraines in people.

If your head is throbbing, you don’t necessarily have to sign up for a drastic treatment like face surgery. Lie down in a quiet room, try a massage, hot or cold packs, or aromatherapy to ease the pain.

Reference

1. Facial surgery may offer migraine cure. CNNHealth.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/08/04/migraine.surgery/index.html.
Accessed on the web August 5, 2009.