Author: Joerg Trinkwalter

It is far more than just a “severe headache”. For many sufferers, an migraine attack means being at the mercy of others for days on end: pulsating pain, sensitivity to light, nausea, visual disturbances. Every step, every movement, every sound can become torture. Around 10 to 15 percent of the population suffer from this regularly. Jörg Trinkwallner, an expert in medical technology and digital health solutions, has found a way to alleviate the suffering. Migraines affect women significantly more often than men. The search for an effective therapy is often lengthy. Many medications only help to a limited extent or cause side effects that put an additional strain on everyday life. Those who regularly take painkillers also run the risk of so-called drug-induced headaches. And so, for many, a cycle begins that is difficult to break. But now there is a promising new option: transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation – tVNS for short – could be an effective and well-tolerated addition to existing treatment for many migraine patients. What is transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation? The vagus nerve is one of the longest and most important nerves in the body. It runs from the brain via the neck and chest to the abdomen and plays a central role in the so-called parasympathetic nervous system – the part of the nervous system responsible for relaxation, regeneration and inner balance. In tVNS, an externally accessible branch of this nerve at the so-called cymba conchae is stimulated using light electrical impulses. This is done using a small portable device that is connected to an electrode on the ear via a cable. The application is non-invasive, i.e. without surgery, and can be carried out comfortably at home. The sensation is similar to a gentle tingling – many even find it pleasant. How can tVNS help with migraines? Numerous studies show that stimulation of the vagus nerve at the cymba conchae (a small, curved bony structure located in the middle ear) has a positive effect on the nervous system – especially regions in the brain that play a role in pain perception and processing. The activation of these pain-modulating areas can help to reduce the frequency, intensity and duration of migraine attacks. Another possible effect is that vagus nerve stimulation has an anti-inflammatory effect. As attacks are often associated with neurogenic inflammation in the brain, this could be another mechanism of action. Particularly important for many patients: tVNS can also be useful if medication does not help sufficiently or is poorly tolerated.… weiterlesen