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Dr. Adam Lowenstein
MD, FACS
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805-969-9004
Migraine Quiz
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What are Migraines?
Migraines are severe, painful and recurring headaches that typically last from 4 to 72 hours. A migraine is characterized by throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation, usually on one side of the head. You may also experience nausea, vomiting or an extreme sensitivity to sound and light. In severe cases, these symptoms can be debilitating and can affect your daily activity. Though the exact cause of migraines remains unclear, they are generally brought on by abnormal brain activity. Triggers can include caffeine withdrawal, hormonal changes, alcohol, stress and changes in sleep. For some migraine sufferers, a warning symptom known as an aura occurs before or with a headache. Auras are reversible symptoms of the nervous system. They can include visual disturbances, such as blind spots, flashes of light or vision loss, or bodily disturbances, such as a numbing or tingling sensation on one side of the face or in the arm or leg. Some people also experience weakness or difficulty speaking before or during headaches. If you experience these symptoms, or you think you may suffer from migraines, take our quiz to determine whether migraine surgery is an option for you.
What is Migraine Surgery?
Migraine surgery is a procedure designed to reduce and prevent migraines. New studies have shown that many migraines are initiated by irritation of nerves in the head and neck outside of the brain, also called peripheral neuralgias. Migraine surgery involves reducing this inflammation by decreasing pressure from surrounding structures, such as muscles and blood vessels, and decompressing the nerves that have shown to trigger headache symptoms. This treatment is a breakthrough therapy that has significantly improved migraine symptoms for approximately 90 percent of patients treated. Depending on the severity of your condition, migraine surgery may either result in a complete disappearance of symptoms or a significant reduction in pain and discomfort associated with headaches. For many patients, the benefits of this surgery have proven immeasurable, having included increased productivity, decreased sensitivity to light and sound, and easier and more comfortable social interaction. Even for patients with less than perfect results gain the ability to rejoin life and spend more time with loved ones. For patients who suffer severe or chronic migraines, medications and other remedies do not always prove useful. In these cases, headache symptoms can be debilitating and can eventually affect your quality of life. Our headache center in Santa Barbara is dedicated to restoring the comfort and happiness of patients who suffer migraines. Having endured these symptoms himself for many years, highly accomplished surgeon Dr. Adam Lowenstein developed the Migraine Surgery Specialty Centre to provide patients with world-class care, expertise and treatment that would allow them to embrace a higher quality of life. Our migraine quiz is the first step to helping patients understand more about their symptoms and whether migraine surgery is a suitable option. Take the quiz today to determine if you are a candidate!
Are your headaches accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea or photophobia (difficulty with bright light)?
Yes
No
Explanation
Nerves in the lining of the nose can cause migraine pain when inflamed. This is why migraines are often associated with nasal congestion and a runny nose in some sufferers. Nasal surgery, or septoplasty, is a surgical procedure designed to decompress the nasal lining, which serves to reduce the congestion and improve these symptoms as a result.
Do your headaches hurt primarily in your forehead region?
Yes
No
Explanation
Nerve branches that extend to the upper portion of the orbit (eye socket) and emerge from the rim of the orbit are often inflamed and compressed by bone, muscle and connective tissue. When irritated by this compression, these nerves can cause migraine pain in the forehead and behind the eye. Migraine surgery involves surgical decompression of these nerves to reduce this tension and discomfort. If your headaches hurt primarily in these areas, you could be a candidate for migraine surgery.
Do you find yourself massaging the area above your eye when you have a headache?
Yes
No
Explanation
The nerves above the eyes that trigger migraine pain run just below the skin. Massaging the area can provide temporary relief in migraines caused by compression of these nerves. While massaging may loosen the tissue for short-term relief, patients who rub this area when they are in pain are often candidates for migraine surgery.
Do your headaches hurt primarily in your temple?
Yes
No
Explanation
Two nerves that run through and over the temporal muscle can trigger migraine pain when compressed and irritated. One of these nerves is in the front of the temple near the eye socket, and the other is in the back of the temple above the front of the ear. Irritation of each of these nerves can be relieved with a short surgical procedure that can provide significant migraine relief.
Do you find yourself massaging your temple when you have a migraine headache?
Yes
No
Explanation
The zygomaticotemporal nerve is located in the front of the temple region, while the auriculotemporal nerve is found above the front of the ear. Both nerves in these regions run directly beneath the skin. For migraines that are caused by compression and inflammation of these nerves, massaging these areas can provide temporary relief. Migraine surgery is a more permanent solution that can not only reduce the pain but also prevent the headaches from occurring.
Do your headaches start in the back of your neck and at the base of your skull?
Yes
No
Explanation
Nerves in the occipital region that run through the muscles which stabilize your head can become irritated and compressed by the surrounding muscles. These irritated nerves are the cause of many migraines. This condition is also known as Occipital Neuralgia. If you experience this type of pain, you could be a candidate for migraine surgery, as this would help to release the nerves and improve discomfort.
Is stress a major trigger for your migraine pain?
Yes
No
Explanation
The nerves in the back of the neck often become tense with stress. When this occurs, the tightness of the muscle compresses the occipital nerves, which in turn triggers migraine pain in the back of the head and neck. Migraines can also radiate to the side or front of the head. In decompressing the nerves with surgery, fat is positioned next to the nerve to prevent tight muscles from causing the nerve irritation that triggers migraine pain. If your headaches are a result of stress, you could be a candidate for this procedure.
Do you find yourself massaging your neck during a migraine attack?
Yes
No
Explanation
Massaging the muscles in the neck and back of the head may help to relax these tight regions. Relaxation of these muscles relieves compression of the nerves that are causing occipital migraine headaches. Massaging these ‘trigger points’ when these nerves are compressed and irritated often provides a slight improvement in migraine pain. However, surgical decompression of these trigger points can provide a more permanent solution and can prevent migraines from occurring. If you are seeking a long-lasting solution to migraine attacks, you may be a candidate for migraine surgery.
Have you discussed your migraines with your primary care physician?
Yes
No
Explanation
Some primary care physicians can successfully treat migraine symptoms with various medications. When migraines are more severe, your primary care physician may refer you to a specialist, often a neurologist.
Have you seen a neurologist for your migraines?
Yes
No
Explanation
Neurologists are often the doctors that provide various medications and regimens for migraine patients. Many of these advanced medications can provide migraine relief by either treating a migraine once it begins or preventing migraines from occurring. If your neurologist has not been able to control your pain, or the prescribed medications have unpleasant side effects, the next step may be scheduling a screening for migraine surgery.
Have you seen a pain specialist for your migraines?
Yes
No
Explanation
Pain doctors may offer procedures such as nerve blocks or nerve stimulators to help control your migraine pain. If these maneuvers have only provided temporary relief or have been unsuccessful, the next step should be a consultation with a qualified surgeon who can determine whether you are a suitable candidate for migraine surgery.
Have you been prescribed narcotics for control of your migraine pain?
Yes
No
Explanation
Narcotics can be difficult to manage in the long term. Though migraine patients are not ‘abusers,’ the emphasis currently placed on preventing narcotics abuse can make pain management with narcotics an ongoing struggle. Migraine surgery can reduce or eliminate the need for narcotics and provide a longer-lasting solution.
Yes you may be a good candidate for Migraine Surgery.
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No you are not a good candidate for migraine surgery. If you feel like this may have been a mistake or you want a second opinion feel free to contact us at 805-969-9004.
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