July 2008

Magnetic Pulses May “Zap” Migraine Headache Pain:

IA lightweight, handheld device helps migraine sufferers zap away pain, sometimes within two hours, according to a new study.

Called a transcranial magnetic stimulation device (TMS), it transmits magnetic pulses that interrupt the “hyper-excitability” of neurons in the brain, which some experts believe is to blame for launching the migraine.

“This is based on a new understanding of how migraines start,” says Yousef Mohammad, MD, a professor of neurology and principal investigator of the study at Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus. The findings will be presented at the annual meeting of the American Headache society in Boston.

About 35 million Americans suffer from migraines, according to the American Headache Society.

SOURCE: Doheny, K. (2008). Magnetic pulses may “zap” migraine pain. WebMD Health News. Available online at http://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/news/20080627/magnetic-pulses-may-zap-migraine-pain
Retrieved June 30, 2008.
 

SUBMITTED BY:  Rhonda S. Olson, MS, RN, CRRN