Treat Hypertension and Migraine By Innovative Sound Therapy

A migraine, severe headache, affects millions of people worldwide. It’s accompanied by various symptoms, including sensitivity to noises and sounds, which is why a migraine has a major potential to have an impact on a person’s quality of life. According to a study published in the journal Australian Family Physician, migraine frequently coexists with hypertension. In fact, there’s a growing body of evidence suggesting that poor control of blood pressure exacerbates the frequency and severity of migraines. Since both conditions are common and affect millions of people both individually and in coexistence with one another, the innovative sound therapy poses as the promising solution to manage them.

What is the innovative sound therapy?
The innovative and non-invasive neurotechnology balances frequencies in the brain’s left and right hemispheres, thus reducing blood pressure and managing symptoms of a migraine. At the American Heart Association’s Council on Hypertension 2016, Scientific Sessions results of two fascinating studies were presented. These studies show that a sound therapy shows real promise in the successful management of a migraine and hypertension.

Both types of research used a neurotechnology called HIRREM which stands for high-resolution, relation, resonance based, electroencephalic mirroring. The technology utilizes sensors placed on the scalp to measure electrical activity and detect dominant brain frequencies, hyperarousal or imbalances between right and left portions of the brain.

According to the author of the study, Hossam A. Shaltout of the Wake Forest School of Medicine, most people have balanced electrical activities in right and left parts of the brain. When imbalances occur, they contribute to chronic stress which plays a crucial role in insomnia, depression, high blood pressure, migraine, hot flashes, and so on.

The purpose of HIRREM is to monitor the brain’s electrical activity while software program converts registered levels into an audible signal. Then, the technology repeats the message back to the patient. Why? It’s because this feedback plays a significant role in brain’s output. This happens because, over time, the brain will gradually, on its own, start to shift electrical patterns toward improved balance in order to reduce hyperarousal. The scientists refer to these sounds as a “reflection” of the person’s brain activity. Interestingly, our brain is capable of recognizing that tones that are repeated to it only reflect what is going on in the organ.

As mentioned already, scientists presented two studies associated with this device:
First research enrolled 10 participants with stage one hypertension. Patients showed significant improvement after average 17.7 HIRREM sessions spread over 10.2 in-office days. The systolic blood pressure reduced from 152 to 136 milliliters of mercury while diastolic blood pressure dropped from 97 to 81. Findings also showed that insomnia and anxiety improved as well

The second study included 52 adults with a migraine. After 15.9 HIRREM sessions over nine in-office days, patients experienced improvements in migraine pain, insomnia, and mood.

As of August 2016, a group of scientists enrolled 400 participants to their study to inspect the effects of the innovative sound therapy on insomnia, PTSD, stress, and so on.

Based on previous studies and findings that are presented, it is safe to say that HIRREM will prove to be useful tool that helps individuals suffering from a migraine and hypertension regardless of whether they have one of these conditions alone or they co-occur.

Tips to relieve a migraine
Although a migraine has the potential to disrupt your overall quality of life, there are many ways you can reduce it. Here are some tips that can help you:

• Certain stimuli contribute to migraine, recognize triggers and avoid them
• Avoid alcohol
• Eat regularly, don’t skip meals
• Get enough sleep
• Pour a few drops of lavender or peppermint essential oil into a bowl of water, damp a washcloth and put it on your forehead
• Practice relaxation techniques

Tips to tackle high blood pressure
High blood pressure isn’t something you should ignore. It puts you at a greater risk of developing various cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease or stroke. It’s important to check your blood pressure regularly and make necessary lifestyle adjustments that will help you avoid unfortunate scenarios.

• Exercise
• Manage weight
• Eat a healthy diet
• Reduce sodium in your diet
• Quit smoking
• Limit caffeine intake

Conclusion
Both high blood pressure and migraine are wide prevalent, and they affect millions of people worldwide. In some cases, both conditions occur in a person, while sometimes they appear on their own. The innovative sound therapy proved to be effective in the treatment of high blood pressure and migraine in two separate studies. HIRREM has a major potential that scientists are still investigating, but one thing is for sure – it’s a promising device that will help patients have a pain-free and healthier life. New studies regarding the efficacy and other usages of HIRREM are underway.

References
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11432020
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/312914.php