Migraine headaches are one of the most challenging problems doctors face. That’s because a variety of factors can trigger the headaches.
The most common trigger is stress. But, how does stress trigger a migraine? And, what can be done about it?
The researchers in a new study knew that decreased oxygen delivery to brain cells can be one of the triggers for migraines. They also knew that increasing the amount of carbon dioxide in the blood increases the blood flow and hence the oxygen delivery to the brain. The effect is so good that many migraine attacks can be aborted simply by increasing the level of carbon dioxide in the blood. So, here’s what they did.
They developed a device that a patient can breathe through that increases the blood levels of carbon dioxide. Then they tested the device to make sure that it worked and was safe. To do the study, they found eight women and three men who had migraines associated with an “aura.” An aura is a warning symptom such as blurred vision, an unusual smell, or some other unusual sensation that happens right before the migraine starts. About 30% of patients who get migraines also get auras. Here’s what they did.
They trained the patients on how to use the device, and instructed them to start using it as soon as they experienced an aura. Just to make sure that there was no placebo effect from the device, they had another identical device that did not increase the carbon dioxide levels.
During the study period, the men and women had a total of 41 migraine attacks. Half of the attacks were treated with the real device, and the other half were treated with the fake device. The main thing they were looking at is the headache intensity difference between first aura symptoms and two hours after the treatment.
The results of the study showed that when the real device was used, there was statistically less pain at the two hour mark. Additionally, the device seemed to work better the second time that the patient used it – 45% of the patients had relief the first time they used the device. That number rose to 78% the second time. The researchers stated that the “side effects were absent or mild.”
The device is being produced by a company located in Denmark called BalancAir. Right now, it is available in Denmark, Sweden, and Germany, but it’s not available for purchase in the U.S.. Until it is, here are some thoughts about the carbon dioxide effect and stress.
Why does stress seem to be such a major trigger for migraines? One reason is that when we are stressed, our breathing rate increases. The increase is subtle, but it’s often enough to decrease the carbon dioxide levels in the blood, which then triggers a migraine. In my book Bursting With Energy, I have a whole chapter on breathing. If you get migraines, you should read it.
There is a technique in there that I call “breathing in squares.” This technique is simple to do and has an effect similar to the device in the study. Just like the device, this technique can increase blood carbon dioxide levels and prevent migraines. Using this technique regularly, especially when you are feeling stressed, might prevent a lot of your migraine attacks.
Yours for better health,
Frank Shallenberger, MD
REF: Fuglsang CH, Johansen T, et al. Treatment of acute migraine by a partial rebreathing device: A randomized controlled pilot study. Cephalalgia. 2018 Sep;38(10):1632-1643.