Cluster headaches and persistent migraines can cause severe pain and disrupt lives and careers. According to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, the sixth most common illness worldwide, migraines affect approximately 39 million Americans. Recent studies have also shown that migraine symptoms can be treated. “long-haul”Covid-19 states migraine is a long-lasting effect of the illness.
According to the Mayo Clinic: Common symptoms of migraines include a throbbing or pulsing sensation on one end of the head. This can often be accompanied by nausea, vomiting and extreme sensitivity of light and sound.
While medication may provide some relief, there are side effects that can make the headaches worse. Also, invasive procedures can lead to additional complications.
There are few effective treatments for cluster headache and migraine sufferers. Researchers have found that while some patients may try alternative therapies like biofeedback, acupuncture and cognitive behavioral therapy as well as herbal remedies, the success rate is very limited.
Evidence shows that cluster headaches and migraines can be alleviated by stimulating the vagus nerve. This large nerve helps to regulate pain.
Vagus nerve stimulation is particularly beneficial for those who are looking for simple, safe and drug-free treatments such as veterans and adolescents.
“Over time, we have learned about the incredible power of the vagus nerve,”Peter Staats MD, chief medical officers at the National Spine and Pain Centers and chief Medical Officer of electroCore (the makers of the gammaCore) says.
“We achieved a technical breakthrough in 2010 when we developed the ability to administer vagus nerve stimulation non-invasively by delivering a proprietary signal through the skin to either the right or the left branches of the vagus nerve in the neck,”He says.
Kerrie Smyres first started using gammaCore on June 2016. It helped her go from having migraine attacks every time she ate to eating anything she wanted. “I was also able to go from barely working to working full-time and have been able to stop taking all my preventive migraine medications and rarely use abortive medications.”
The gammaCore Sapphire™is a handheld, non-invasive device that uses gentle electrical stimulation to activate the vagus nerve. With a doctor’s approval, the device is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the prevention and treatment of cluster headaches and migraines.
Patients can use the device in just three steps at home. To activate the vagus nerve, first locate the area on your neck that is near your pulse. Next, apply the gel to the stimulation surface and turn it on. Finally, place the gel on the neck. Next, adjust the intensity until it is at a comfortable level. Hold on for 2 minutes.
Please visit this page for more details gammaCore.com. A Headache Discussion GuideYou may find it helpful to share this information with your healthcare provider.
gammaCore Sapphire™ (nVNS) is indicated for use in adult patients for the preventive treatment of cluster headache, the acute treatment of pain associated with episodic cluster headache, and the acute and preventive treatment of migraine in adolescent (age 12 and older) and adult patients.
Important Safety Information
- GammaCore is not effective in treating chronic cluster headaches.
- GammaCore is contraindicated in patients who:
- An implantable medical device that is active, such as a pacemaker, hearing implant or any other implantable electronic device,
- A metallic device such a stent (or bone plate) can be placed at the neck or nearby.
- Use another device simultaneously (e.g. TENS unit, muscle stimulator), or any portable electronic gadget (e.g. cell phone).
- These patients have not been able or willing to test the safety and efficacy gammaCore.
- Carotid atherosclerosis is a condition in which the arteries narrow.
- Patients who have undergone surgery to trim the vagus in their neck (cervical vasetomy)
- Pediatric patients (younger 12 years or less)
- Women who are pregnant
- Patients with clinically serious hypertension, hypotension or bradycardia.
Please refer the gammaCore Instructions for UsePlease refer to the following warnings and precautions for this product before prescribing it or using it. gammaCore.com.
