New Migraine Surgery Could Reduce Side Effects of Migraine Drugs

 Posted on December 02, 2014 in Acetaminophen

A breakthrough in the medical community came for migraine sufferers this November, according to MedicalXPress.com. A study from Case Western Reserve School of Medicine found that nerves in the brains of patients who suffered migraines show abnormalities of the “myelin sheath that serves as insulation around nerve fibers,” MedicalXPress.com reports. The study involved observing 15 patients who underwent a surgical treatment that attempted to reduce the negative effects of serious migraines, and included electron microscopy that assessed the structure of cell nerves in patient's brains. The study also examined the presence and function of cranial proteins in migraine patients.

Ultimately, the study found that patients whose myelin sheath was damaged were more likely to suffer migraines. As a result, one doctor in the study “developed migraine surgery techniques after noticing that some migraine patients had reduced headache activity after cosmetic forehead-lifting.” This type of cosmetic surgery removes some of the muscle and vessel tissue surrounding cranial nerves.

This is great news for people who suffer migraines because migraine drugs have long been very prone to negative side effects in patients. According to Healthline, painkillers, often prescribed and taken for migraines, can have severe side effects affecting the stomach and kidneys and can result in heart attack or stroke. Because these painkillers are so common, doctors sometimes neglect to make their patients aware of how serious of a drug they can be if misused.

Other classes of drugs commonly taken for migraines include ergotamines and triptans. Ergotamines cause blood vessels around the brain to contract, according to Healthline, which can cause heart disease, birth defects, and cardiac problems, and can have severe negative interactions when taken with other antibiotics or antifungal medicines. Triptans increase the levels of serotonin in the brain, but can carry the risk of numbness, dizziness, nausea, or drowsiness. If they are taken with other drugs that change serotonin levels (such as anti-depressants), they can have potentially fatal side effects.

If you or someone you know has been taking migraine medication that has caused side effects about which you were not made accurately aware, you may be eligible for compensation. Do not go through it alone. Contact an Arlington Heights defective drug product attorney for a free initial consultation today.