A Successful Treatment of Chronic Migraine With Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Abstract

The World Health Organization (WHO) ranks migraine as the most prevalent and disabling neurological condition. Management of migraines can be broadly divided into lifestyle and trigger management, acute treatments, and preventive treatments. Despite pharmacological advances, this medical problem has remained undertreated. A 40-year-old male presented to the authors’ hospital and complained of severe, constant, and throbbing pain over the right side of his head. There was occasional photophobia but no visual disturbances. Oral analgesics were not helpful. After careful evaluation, he was advised to receive hyperbaric oxygen therapy sessions. He underwent one session per day, 5 days per week for 4 weeks. At the end of the 20 sessions, the patient reported an improvement in his symptoms, and did not require any oral medication. The authors concluded that hyperbaric oxygen therapy should be explored further as a treatment for pharmacologically resistant migraine.