Two doctors from Belgium provide a medical breakthrough. Together with a medical device developer, they made an implantable electrode that helps patients that suffer from cluster headache, the so-called "suicide headache". For patient Dirk Devolder, it means a world of difference. "I can enjoy life again."
© Joris Vergauwen
For patients, that headache is so heavy and severe that they are completely undergoing it. "They can not work anymore, can not pursue hobbies and eventually end up in social isolation with psychological problems. The pains come and go for fifteen minutes and often occur up to eight times a day. This kind of headache is not to be confused with migraine.
'AnkerStim'
They have been researching the treatment of cluster headache for years. Together with Medtronic's research team, a developer of medical equipment, they have developed an implantable electrode, the 'AnkerStim'.
Positive results
The prototype of the electrode has already been introduced to 60 patients and the results are very positive. All patients succeed in suppressing or attenuating the attacks of cluster headaches, and some of them are even completely pain free. The electrode should be able to stay alive forever. This is a huge step forward in treating cluster headaches. There are also medicines, but they are often not as effective and at the same time very expensive.
The electrode is inserted just below the skin of the skull at the neckline and works on a battery. It is similar to a pacemaker. The battery will turn on the electrode. Some patients trigger the stimulator to send out pulses at fixed times. In this way, cluster headache attacks are under control. But there are also patients who prefer to manually operate the electrode. When they feel they are going to attack, they can suppress them by sending a pulse.
© Joris Vergauwen
Fully pain free
Patient Dirk Devolder suffered for five years with cluster headache. He was implanted the electrode a few years ago. "I've got my life back. For five years I struggled with cluster attacks that ended up in chronic headaches. I was constantly suffering from pain, which meant that I could no longer work. The electrode has made me feel completely pain free. I'm back to work now. I can also go to my son's basketball games and watch my daughter's gymnastics. I'm doing sports myself again. To me, it means a world of difference. I can enjoy life again. "
The AZ Nikolaas pain clinic is currently the only hospital in Belgium where the new technique is being used.
Source: hln.be
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Very interesting and cool technology. Hopefully this can help a lot of people!
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