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A stream of air directed into the nose can relieve migraine pain in just 15 minutes. This technique works by cooling the nerves at the back of the nose that are involved in triggering severe headaches.
Results from a small trial conducted in Texas this past June revealed that nearly half of the participants who received this air therapy experienced no pain afterward. Others in the experiment reported significant—though not complete—relief.
Old and New Ways to Treat Migraine Pain
Most people suffering from migraines rely on painkillers or prescription medications that can shorten the duration of attacks. New drugs (CGRP inhibitors) can primarily prevent migraine attacks. They are administered via injections in the abdomen, arms, or legs. However, these treatments are expensive and strictly limited to those who experience severe migraines at least once or twice a week.
The new therapy targets a bundle of nerves behind the nose known as the sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG). This ganglion is connected to the trigeminal nerve, which provides sensation to the face. When the trigeminal nerve is overstimulated by triggers such as hormonal changes, alcohol, caffeine, or stress, it can activate a migraine.
The sphenopalatine ganglion is responsible for sending pain signals to the nervous system and the brain. In very severe cases, doctors sometimes inject an anesthetic through the nose into this nerve bundle to numb them, preventing them from transmitting pain messages. This procedure is known as SPG block.
However, pain relief from this method may only last a few weeks. Additionally, the injection can cause nasal bleeding, dizziness, and a tingling sensation in the throat.
The modern migraine relief technique may offer a significantly simpler alternative to this procedure. It is based on a process called transnasal cooling. This technique is typically used when someone is experiencing cardiac arrest. However, some researchers are currently exploring it as a way to cool the brain and reduce the risk of damage.
How Was the Experimental Migraine Treatment Conducted?
For the new migraine treatment, patients wear a mask, and then dry air, from which all moisture has been removed, is pumped into their nostrils. As the air passes over the soft tissues surrounding the SPG nerves, it causes the evaporation of tiny moisture particles on the surface. This cools the nerves, as the evaporation process draws energy from the body.
Animal studies have shown that the cooling effect interrupts the transmission of headache signals. During a preliminary trial, researchers from the Department of Head and Facial Pain tested the treatment on 24 migraine patients.
Participants in the experiment were required to come to the research center as soon as they felt a migraine attack. They then underwent a nasal ventilation procedure using a device called the “transnasal thermoregulator CoolStat.”
Results showed that nearly 90% of patients experienced significant pain relief two hours after treatment. Almost half of the participants reported that their migraine had completely disappeared, with some feeling relief within just 15 minutes.
As noted by the Daily Mail, researchers are now hoping to reduce the size of the device so that patients can use it at home. According to Dr. Andrew Dawson, the results are encouraging, and this is a straightforward approach with minimal potential for unwanted side effects. However, the current number of patients tested is too small to demonstrate its effectiveness.
