Helpful Resources and Information on Treatments for Migraine, Headaches & Craniofacial Pain
Migraine headaches are defined by an episodic neurovascular disorder characterized by recurrent unilateral headaches accompanied by nausea, vomiting, photophobia, phonophobia, conjunctival injection, and lacrimation. Not to mention loss of speech, dysestheia/hypoestesia of the tongue, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain, and dental pain. Often combination of these symptoms misdiagnosed as stroke. Current theories suggest that the initiation of a migraine attack involves a primary event in the central nervous system (CNS), probably involving a combination of genetic changes in ion channels and environmental changes, which render the individual more sensitive to environmental factors; this may, in turn, result in a wave of cortical spreading when the attack is initiated (General hypothesis). Other hypothesis’ suggest that the genetic etiology of the Migraine Headaches. Some researchers speculate that genetically, migraines are a complex familial disorder in which the severity and the susceptibility of individuals are most likely governed by several genes that vary between families. However, most of these suggestions lack genetic studies of the hypothesis.
The exact pathogenesis that causes migraine headaches remains controversial andremains to be doubtlessly understood. Factors such as bright lights, ultraviolet waves, flickering lights, as well as certain visual patterns, smells, noises, tastes may trigger migraine. Life style stressors and emotional events can also trigger a migraine attack, and it has been hypothesized that visual cortical hyperexcitability can be responsible for migraines too. Migraines are a common and potentially serious chronic, disabling disease. The prevalence of migraines in the U.S. adult population is roughly 80% among women and 20% among men. This equates to approximately 30 million American adults who suffer from migraine headaches. Data shows that more than 75% of patients report one to 14 headaches per month. Over half of these attacks produce severe impairment, forcing the individual to bed rest. Estimates range as high as 112 million bedridden days a per year, translating into reduced productivity with the likelihood of missing work, planned events, and interfering with daily activities. The financial burden on patients and businesses is immense; with the cost to employers calculated to be $14 billion annually. (Cephalgia)
Migraine attack may begin at very young age as of 10-12 years of age, and continue as of age 88. For these reasons, it is imperative for primary health care professionals to understand and treat migraines as a potentially burdensome and chronic disease. Yet, ironically, epidemiological studies show that about 50% of patients seeking medical consultation for migraines are not being diagnosed, regardless of what they reported.
The pattern of disorder consequently demonstrate associated byproduct of the migraine
such as depression, anxiety, generalized phobias, and other nonspecific mood disorders, mental status changes which may aggravate the health condition. With the broad range of manifestations, the dynamic of Migraine attacks gave rise to plenty of scientific and nonscientific cause theories and hypotheses. It is important to note that most of them have yet to be scientifically proven.
What our research reveals is unbiased and simply routing in the life at earth:
The autonomous nerve system is an independent, self-managed, and self-controlled system that serves a complex multifunctional internal system of organs. Autonomous nerve system responds to overtly damaging stimuli from our physical and chemical environment, although this system responds to vigorously to stimuli that are threatening. Process of pain in all species is a complex hierarchical complex process. This process starts with vasoconstriction, which results in hypoxia/anoxia (called ischemia), and production of the cytokines locally at the cell basis.
“Ischemia induces tissue damage and changes in the cell biology, which if not interrupted, may cause cell death and permanent damage. Pain, a major subjective protective system in our DNA, manifests the strong possible signaling system. Repetitive ischemic events of the nerve cells in neuralgias of craniofacial pain defining dysbalance between ischemia and oxygenation status of the cell cycle where neither of either condition could get the upper hand and the final triumph”
The perception of pain is a sensory, emotional, and cognitive experience when the brain is intact. However, autonomous nerve system function continues even when the cognitive cerebral centers are out of cognitive function (vegetative state). Pain signals are processed in humans and other mammals by the pain system. Structure of this system is well studied and established. However, scientist is still challenging the molecular biologic mechanism of pain.
The autonomous nervous system demonstrates the dual function of pro and contra functioning systems called the sympathetic and parasympathetic “nervous system”. Their activities may affect human and animal emotions and vice versa. The autonomous nerve system is the primary defense mechanism in the vertebrate and most of the animals for survival and continuation of life. Its mechanism directly related to the sensory systems of:
Visual, Acoustic (Vestibuloacustic),Taste (Gustatory),Smelling (Olfactory) and Palpation (Somatovisceral) systems, which are providing our vital communication and interference with the physical, chemical and emotional world.
Both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems are deeply and hierarchically functional independent systems that naturally exist to balance one another.
Physiologically, there are switching signal systems that genetically determine the silencing or desilencing of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves. For example, nerves innervating the dilator pupillary muscle are sympathetic, and nerves innervating the pupillary sphincter muscle are parasympathetic. Dilation and constriction of arteries and veins demonstrate the same pattern.
It is well known that diffuse and broad band’s network of sympathetic and Parasympathetic nerve fibers make it impossible for surgeons to have a complete and successful sympathectomy, and even neurectomy. The painful malfunctions return after a period of time. Reflecting the complexity of understanding and decoding the interconnections of “rami Communicants”, and ganglion hierarchy, which seems extremely challenging when it comes to molecular Neurophysiology.
Migraine headaches seem to demonstrate a dysbalance between sympathetic and Parasympathetic innervations of the cerebrovascular system rather than a central cortical event per se. The shortcoming of evidence among electroencephalogram (EEG) studies in the event of Trigeminal or Occipital Neuralgia speaks for itself. There seems to be a chronic periodic vasoconstriction in the ganglia and the associated peripheral nerves, which are predilections to anoxia/hypoxia and consequently acute inflammatory chain of reactions, neuritis and perineuritis.
DE NOVO Approach
Our treatment algorithm is based on taking into account underlying pathological processes, the anatomical distribution of craniofacial pain, pain characteristics, and independent of the patient’s age, medical condition or other comorbid medical problems. We did considered the history of previous surgical, and non-surgical interventions, and the results of psychological evaluation. The treatment modalities involved in this algorithm include diagnostic patterns, failure of any other provided procedures, and detailed history pharmaceutical abortive treatment.
Our procedure includes complete personal and family history of Migraine headaches, associated neuralgia, and neurologic disorders. This is done after the initial introductory visit. The patient is asked to complete our questionnaire form, and provide detailed pattern of pain and effect of medications she or he took.
The initial consultation may take 45 to 60 minutes depending upon the complexity of the headache complaint, medical records evaluation, and other (comorbid) findings. The doctor might want to obtain ancillary tests including brain or neck imaging such as MRI or CT scans or MR angiogram. Allergy test, blood test might also be necessary. Therefore, we recommend providing us all previous diagnostic test results, labs, and treatment suggestions or actions surgical/nonsurgical. We prefer to discontinue all medications in tapering fashion to 4-6 weeks period to avoid withdrawal symptoms after our treatment. At the end of the consultation, a diagnosis will be advanced and a treatment plan will be discussed which may include our advanced De Novo formula.
All patients requiremaintaining aheadache diary to maximize objective documentation of headache events. This gives the doctor the best advantage at effective treatment and controlling the headaches. Follow up appointments are scheduled at various time intervals to monitor progress and address any issues that emerge after treatment. A consultation visit might also simply include a diagnosis and suggested treatment plan and prognosis to help the patient’s headache disorder in future
Patient selected after ruling out cranial neoplasia, possible family history of cerebral aneurysm, allergies, dental and visual source of their Headaches. The history of their Migraine headaches, medications and prior procedures is considered in the selection as well. In general we included all type of migraine headaches, independent of age and gender, with and without seizure activities, patients with and without aura, patients with or without intractable migraine headaches. We do not limit our selection to only one group or certain category. However, we rule out the possibility of other involved disorders and or cervical misalignment, deformities that may play a significant role in the process of migraine headaches. Those causes may become a recurrent burden for pain events.
We implement a combination of medications including a potent sterilesteroid, sterile local anesthetic, and substance X in a calculated proportion. Using 30-27 gauge needles,doctorapproaches each nerve branch and ganglion environment.
In DE NOVO procedure nerve branches of each trigeminal nerve divisions approached by multiple injections in a small amount simultaneously and bilaterally. The total dosage utilized is minimal and way below the dosage utilized by other experts for migraine treatment. All medications we implement are FDA approved and for decades in use.
