A revolutionary technique has been discovered to alleviate migraine pain in just 15 minutes. By delivering a blast of air up the nose, the nerves at the back of the nose responsible for generating severe headaches can be cooled, providing relief. In a small trial presented at the American Headache Society’s annual meeting, nearly half of the participants who received the air blast treatment reported being pain-free afterwards. While some experienced significant relief, it was not complete.
Traditionally, individuals suffering from migraines rely on painkillers or prescription drugs known as triptans to shorten the duration of their attacks. However, CGRP inhibitors, a new class of drugs, can prevent migraines from occurring altogether. These inhibitors are administered via injection into the stomach, arms, or legs, but they are costly and restricted to those experiencing severe migraines at least once or twice a week.
Most people who suffer migraines rely on painkillers, or prescription drugs called triptans, which can shorten the length of attacks (stock image)
The new treatment targets a group of nerves called the sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) located behind the nose. The SPG is connected to the trigeminal nerve, responsible for facial sensation. Overstimulation of the trigeminal nerve by triggers such as hormonal changes, alcohol, caffeine, or stress can activate migraines. The SPG transmits pain signals to the nervous system and brain, which causes migraines.
In severe cases, doctors resort to injecting anesthetic through the nose into the SPG nerves to numb them and prevent the transmission of pain signals. This procedure, known as an SPG block, offers temporary relief but can lead to side effects like nose bleeds, light-headedness, and numbness in the throat. The new technique provides a simpler alternative.
Trans-evaporative cooling is the underlying principle behind the treatment. This method, currently under investigation for cooling the brain during cardiac arrest to minimize the risk of injury, involves pumping dry air (air devoid of moisture) into the nostrils through a mask. The air passing over the soft tissue around the SPG nerves causes moisture particles on the surface to evaporate, resulting in a cooling effect. Animal studies have shown that this cooling effect disrupts the transmission of headache pain signals.
A blast of air up the nose could ease migraine pain in just 15 minutes. The technique works by cooling nerves at the back of the nose involved in generating the severe headaches (stock image)
In a preliminary trial conducted by researchers from Michigan State University, the nasal air blast treatment was tested on 24 migraine sufferers. Participants were instructed to visit the university research center as soon as they felt a migraine coming on and received the treatment using a device called the CoolStat Transnasal Thermal Regulating Device. The results, yet to be published in a peer-reviewed journal, revealed that almost 90% of the patients experienced significant pain relief two hours after the treatment, and nearly half of them reported being completely pain-free, with some experiencing relief within just 15 minutes.
The researchers aim to further develop the device to make it more portable, allowing patients to use it at home. Dr. Andrew Dowson, clinical lead at NHS East Kent and Bromley Headache Services, described the results as encouraging, noting the simplicity of the approach with minimal potential for side effects. However, the study’s small sample size prevents definitive proof of its effectiveness.
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