Individuals who suffer from chronic headaches or migraines know that they can be disruptive and debilitating. Not only are they painful, but many patients who get frequent migraines live with a fear that a migraine could come on suddenly and ruin their plans at any moment. There are two ways to treat migraines.
- Abortive treatment is a medication that a patient takes once the migraine begins. These medications can be pills, injections, or nasal sprays. Patients who experience nausea or vomiting with their migraines often find these medications to be helpful because they work quickly.
- Preventative treatment is used by patients who get migraines more than once per week, or if the symptoms are very intense. Preventative medications will lessen the frequency and severity of the migraine attack. In order to use a preventative medication, patients must first work with a physician to determine what is causing their migraines. Some of these medications include beta-blockers to treat high blood pressure, antidepressants, and anti-seizure medications. However, additional treatments such as oral appliance therapy are used in some instances.
Dr. Michael Stern of Smile Brighter Willoughby Hills is a skilled and trusted dentist who not only helps patients achieve a happy and healthy smile, he also helps patients manage certain areas of pain, including headaches and migraines. Dr. Stern advises his patients to consult with a physician, but to recognize that migraines and headaches could be related to the neuromuscular structure of the jaw. If a patient’s headaches are caused by this condition, it can’t be treated with traditional medications.
Instead, Dr. Stern uses oral appliance therapy to prevent patients from clenching their jaws while they sleep. This device, known as the NTI-tss system has been featured on Good Morning America and has helped countless patients reduce the frequency of their headaches.
For more information about working with Dr. Stern to manage your headache or migraine pain, call Smile Brighter Willoughby Hills today.