Living Well with Migraine Disease and Headaches

October 31, 2005
In this addition to the "Living Well" series, patient advocate Robert provides current information on headaches and migraine disease, treatments, personal stories and coping techniques. The author, a longtime migraineur, stresses that although many migraine sufferers are unaware of treatment options, at least 95 percent of sufferers can benefit from preventive regimens once correctly diagnosed. Migraines, Robert explains, are not simply bad headaches, but a "genetic neurological disease that flares up when we encounter triggers" and can take many forms-tension, cluster, or rebound, which is brought on by medication overuse-each of which require different treatments. Robert notes new medication developed to treat stroke, seizures and depression are now used for migraine disease, welcome news for sufferers who have for years ridden out migraine attacks with over-the-counter pain medication. She details "trigger" identification and management by listing the many triggers of headaches and migraines, and reviews preventive, "abortive" (which adjust neurotransmittal levels) and complementary therapies. With case studies and examples of patient advocacy, Robert also urges her readers to learn coping skills and to seek support from others, providing a clear overview of her subject with the authority of personal experience and a researcher's determination.

December 5, 2005
In this addition to the "Living Well" series, patient advocate Robert provides current information on headaches and migraine disease, treatments, personal stories and coping techniques. The author, a longtime migraineur, stresses that although many migraine sufferers are unaware of treatment options, at least 95 percent of sufferers can benefit from preventive regimens once correctly diagnosed. Migraines, Robert explains, are not simply bad headaches, but a "genetic neurological disease that flares up when we encounter triggers" and can take many forms-tension, cluster, or rebound, which is brought on by medication overuse-each of which require different treatments. Robert notes new medication developed to treat stroke, seizures and depression are now used for migraine disease, welcome news for sufferers who have for years ridden out migraine attacks with over-the-counter pain medication. She details "trigger" identification and management by listing the many triggers of headaches and migraines, and reviews preventive, "abortive" (which adjust neurotransmittal levels) and complementary therapies. With case studies and examples of patient advocacy, Robert also urges her readers to learn coping skills and to seek support from others, providing a clear overview of her subject with the authority of personal experience and a researcher's determination.

Copyright 2005 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.