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How Migraines Work, and What Science is Doing about It

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How Migraines Work, and What Science is Doing about It

By Phin Upham

Migraines hit most of us at least once in our lives, and most people report that they can’t function when in the throes of one. Migraines go much deeper than being just another bad headache, they are deep neurological problems that occur during a migraine. Attacks can last as long as 72 hours in extreme cases, so patients are clamoring for relief as you might imagine.

Fortunately, there have been two major breakthroughs in the past few years that seem to show some promise for those suffering from these recurring aches and pains.

Why Drugs Fall Short

Every ten seconds, someone suffers from a migraine and many of those people go to the Emergency Room for relief. There was a time when the migraine was viewed as some form of neuroses, and doctors would send patients away with a prescription to just get over it. Over the counter drugs promising migraine relief are often little more than high grade painkillers. They help, and they can help a patient function for a few hours, but they can’t really solve the problem on any deeper level.

Cefaly

Cefaly is a crown-like object that is placed on the head. It stimulates nerves deep within the brain through the use of electrical signals. There is another device called the SpringTMS that uses magnetic energy to accomplish the same task. The crown is placed on the head for 20 minutes each day, and the SpringTMS is placed on the back of the head when the migraine symptoms begin.


About the Author: Phin Upham is an investor at a family office/ hedgefund, where he focuses on special situation illiquid investing. Before this position, Phin Upham was working at Morgan Stanley in the Media and Telecom group. You may contact Phin on his Phin Upham website or LinkedIn page.

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