March brings springtime, and the ever-changing weather can be a headache. Literally. For people who suffer from migraines, this time of year can be challenging, especially when there is a risk of developing sinus congestion. Nasal congestion can trigger sinus migraines at this time of year.
Most people will experience a headache at some point in time but when a headache becomes more serious, it could be considered a migraine. It is estimated that 13% of Americans suffer from migraines and often are undiagnosed and untreated.
Common symptoms of migraines:
- Sharp, intense or throbbing pain, often on one side of the face
- Vision disturbances like blurred vision, sensitivity to light or auras
- Nausea
- Symptoms persisting longer than four hours
- Over the counter medications are ineffective
Treatments can vary as well from lifestyle changes and medications to injectable Botox. These treatments can work for many, but for some it can be temporary.
In 2000, Dr. Bahman Guyuron, a world-renowned plastic surgeon, pioneered a revolutionary new surgery for migraine sufferers. Dr. Guyuron became curious when many of his patients who had a forehead lift also reported migraine relief. He conducted several studies to develop what is known today as migraine surgery. The surgery is designed to decompress the nerve, or nerves, identified as a migraine trigger. The surgery is an out-patient procedure done under local and/or general anesthesia and can take up to one hour to complete.
Dr. Guyuron has achieved a 90% success rate with migraine surgery. This means that the surgery effectively reduces migraine symptoms for 9 out of 10 patients, and many patients are living migraine-free.
The first step is to determine the source of migraines, and many people have more than one trigger. Migraine triggers are located in many areas of the face, head, and neck, including the forehead, temples, behind the eyes, and sinus area. Dr. Guyuron works with Dr. Michelle Roda, a neurologist with the American Migraine Center in Lyndhurst, Ohio, who can diagnose migraine headaches in patients who may be candidates for migraine surgery.
If you are looking for lasting migraine relief, and other treatments have failed, consider giving Dr. Guyuron a call. You can schedule a consultation through our website or by calling Zeeba Clinic at 440-461-7999.