Part 1. All About Migraine

Questions 1–17 give basic background about migraine, including:

• What is the history of migraine?

• What is a migraine?

• What are the changes that occur in the brain that lead to migraines?

• What causes migraine?

Part 2.Treatment and the Doctor’s Visit

Questions 18–46 describe how migraine is treated:

• What types of pharmacological approaches do physicians use in the treatment of

migraine?

• What are some of the medications my doctor might recommend or prescribe?

• What if none of my usual migraine treatments work? At what point do I go to

the emergency room?

Part 3. Migraine Across the Lifespan

Questions 47–52 detail how migraine affects people of different age groups,

including:

• How common is migraine in children? Is migraine different in children than

they are in adults?

• Why does it seem that women have more migraines than men?

• What happens to migraine during pregnancy?

Part 4. Managing Your Migraines:Taking Control

Questions 53–72 describe strategies for alleviating or preventing migraines, such as:

• Does it help to keep track of my migraines?

• What is a migraine trigger?

• Why is it important to identify my triggers? How can I identify what my

migraine triggers are?

Part 5.The Emotional Side of Migraine: Learning to Cope

Questions 73–88 discusses psychological problems that may be associated with

migraine, including:

• I’ve been feeling increasingly depressed and anxious. Is there a connection

between depression, anxiety, and migraine?

• My doctor prescribed an antidepressant medication for me. Does this mean that

my migraines are caused by depression?

• I find myself struggling with emotions such as anger, guilt, and shame. Are these

types of feelings common?

Part 6. Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Questions 89–100 discuss non-standard treatments for migraine, including:

• What is complementary and alternative medicine?

• What are the primary treatments included in complementary and alternative

medicine?

• When should I consult with a CAM practitioner or think about using a complementary

and alternative treatment?

Feature: Exercises for Migraine Prevention

Appendix 229

A list of web sites, organizations, and literature to help migraine patients and their

families find additional information on general and specific topics related to

migraines.