Posted by Dave W (12.10.85.65) on June 21, 1999 at 10:54:53:
In Reply to: Centrifugal force(long) posted by Doug on June 17, 1999 at 10:45:37:
Doug,
My original background is in engineering, so I tend to think in terms of pipes and pressure for these headaches. I've experienced some brief relief by driving around a cloverleaf really fast with my head leaning into the curve, which tends to force blood toward my feet.
Most of the literature says our pain comes from extreme dilation of the cranial blood vessels, so it would seem to be a localized high pressure that would cause this. I know that when I pinch off the artery directly in front of my ear on the effected side (reducing the blood pressure wherever it feeds), I get a few seconds of instantaneous relief.
I have often wondered if some really sharp cardiovascular surgeon could come up with a way to implant a bypass valve in the same artery I usually try to crush during a headache. It could be automatic to regulate pressure, or it could be user-activated with a magnet or something. When an attack comes, I could divert blood away from the dilated vessels and relieve the pain. Could be tricky -- that blood is there for a reason and I wouldn't want to kill off all the flesh and organs that it feeds.....
Anyhow, if you come up with a plan and need a guinea pig, send me a note!!!!!!!!
Dave