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Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Image by Anthony Tran

Migraine Headaches

A migraine headache is a neurological disorder that causes recurring moderate to severe headaches, often on one side of the  head. Migraines can last hours or days and can be accompanied by a number of other symptoms, including: 

  • Digestive problems, such as bloating, constipation, or diarrhea 

  • Food cravings or lack of appetite 

  • Nausea and vomiting 

  • Sensitivity to light, sound, and odors 

  • Fatigue 

  • Mood changes, such as irritability or sadness 

Studies on Migraines and HBOT

Revisiting the expanded use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for treatment of resistant migraines

David V. Matera1, *, Brian Smith2, Benjamin Lam3
1 Department of General Surgery, Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Wilkes-Barre, PA, USA, 2 Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA, 3 Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA

 

Abstract

There are currently 13 indications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The European Consensus Conference on Hyperbaric Medicine has 28 indications approved for its use. However, neither includes the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for neurological conditions such as migraines with aura. Recent research has made the attempt to fully understand the use of hyperbaric therapy in treatment of neurological conditions, but results have so far been inconclusive. We report a 23-year-old female with an 11-year history of migraines with aura who has received inadequate pharmacological treatment for her migraines since she began having them. Migraines have led her to significant loss of function. The patient underwent treatment at 1.5 absolute atmospheres in a hyperbaric chamber Monday through Friday for 1 hour each day for a total of 40 sessions but reported missing a few sessions over the 8-week period. No more than 1 session during a given week was missed and the patient received no other treatments for her migraines throughout this time period. By her 24th treatment, the patient had only experienced a single migraine with aura but without debilitating pain. The patient stated she had never had a migraine with such little intensity prior to initiation of hyperbaric treatment and did not have to take any days off from work or school. Follow-up at the end of her 40-day treatment period revealed a highly-satisfied patient who had only experienced the single episode of a mild migraine during the entire course of treatment. Thus, we believe that further research needs to be done to realize the full potential of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of neurological conditions as this case highlights the potential for using hyperbaric oxygen therapy as prophylaxis against attacks in patients with treatment resistant migraines with aura.

A Successful Treatment of Chronic Migraine with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Rahmah Shafee,1 Mohd Amirullah Hamzah,1 Rajesh Kumar Muniandy2

1. Healing Chambers of Asia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu,

Malaysia

EMJ Neurol. 2021; DOI/10.33590/emjneurol/20-00262

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Abstract

The World Health Organization (WHO) ranks migraine as the most prevalent and disabling neurological condition. Management of migraines can be broadly divided into lifestyle and trigger management, acute treatments, and preventive treatments. Despite pharmacological advances, this medical problem has remained undertreated.

A 40-year-old male presented to the authors’ hospital and complained of severe, constant, and throbbing pain over the right side of his head. There was occasional photophobia but no visual disturbances. Oral analgesics were not helpful. After careful evaluation, he was advised to receive hyperbaric oxygen therapy sessions. He underwent one session per day, 5 days per week for 4 weeks. At the end of the 20 sessions, the patient reported an improvement in his symptoms, and did not require any oral medication. The authors concluded that hyperbaric oxygen therapy should be explored further as a treatment for pharmacologically resistant migraine.

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