Migraine Disease - We CAN Cope!

Do you have Migraines or know someone who does? Do you know that Migraine is a genetic neurological disease? It's just as much a disease as diabetes, epilepsy, thyroid disease, or others. But, it's still very misunderstood, even by people who have it and by many doctors.

Learning about Migraine disease is the best thing we can do for ourselves. It empowers us to be less afraid, work better with our doctors, and to take control of this disease instead of it controlling us.

None of us needs to be alone with the pain and misery of Migraine. None of us. Nor do we have to "just live with it." We can get the help we need and live well. Please join me in doing just that!

This lens will be updated frequently, so please visit often!

Information about Migraine disease

Helpful articles and other information about Migraines

Anatomy of a Migraine: The phases of a Migraine attack and their symptoms.
Is Migraine a Progressive Brain Disease?: A study and JAMA article, "Migraine as a Risk Factor for Subclinical Brain Lesions," examine the connection between Migraine disease, brain lesions, cerebral infarction (stroke), and the frequency of Migraine attacks.
Migraine and Stroke Risk: What Did the Studies Say?: What's the truth about the connection between Migraines and stroke risk?
What Is Abdominal Migraine?: Abdominal Migraine is a form of Migraine seen mainly in children, but it can affect adults too.
Basilar-Type Migraine: What Is It?: A Basilar-Type Migraine is a Migraine that has aura symptoms originating from the brainstem and/or affecting both hemispheres of the brain at the same time, but with no motor weakness...
What Is Hemiplegic Migraine?: Hemiplegic Migraine is a rare form of Migraine disease, made more confusing by there being two variations: Familial Hemiplegic Migraine (FHM) and Sporadic Hemiplegic Migraine (SHM)...
PFO and Migraine: "Hole in the Heart" and Migraine Connection?: A major topic of discussion today is that of PFO, 'the hole in the heart' that may contribute to Migraines. Learn about PFO and its possible connection to Migraine.
What Is "Alice In Wonderland" Syndrome?: Imagine: You're hallucinating, and you know it. Time is messed up. First it seems slowed, then it seems to be speeding up. Even more noticeably, when you look at your body, it seems to be morphing. You're getting smaller. Minutes later, you're growing larger and larger. That's a description of "Alice in Wonderland" syndrome.
Medication Overuse Headache: What's a person to do?: Unfortunately, it seems that any medication we take for headache or Migraine relief has the potential to cause medication overuse headache if used more than two or three days a week. We need to learn as much about it as possible. Let's take a look at what causes it, how to avoid it, and other important issues.
Prevention - What Do Migraineurs Want from Meds and Doctors?: Data suggests that approximately 50% of Migraineurs could benefit significantly from preventive measures, but only about 10% of that 50% is actually receiving preventive treatment. Some patients may not be receiving preventive treatment because their doctors don't recognize the need, but doctors feel that there's a problem on the part of their Migraineur patients. What is it?
What is Transformed Migraine?: Transformed Migraine (TM) is Migraine disease which began manifesting in episodic Migraine attacks, increasing in frequency and changing characteristics, and resulting in almost daily less severe headaches punctuated by severe and debilitating Migraine attacks.
Transformed Migraine Related To Sleep Problems: Although sleep issues have been linked with headaches and Migraine for more than 100 years, information about the types and prevalence of specific sleep problems in adults with transformed Migraine (TM) has been scarce. Now the findings have been published on a study to look at the connection between nonrestorative sleep and TM. The study was conducted at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, led by Dr. Anne Calhoun.

Recommended Web sites

Accurate information about Migraine disease.

About Headaches and Migraine: Fully researched information, advocacy information, forum, free email newsletter.
Help for Headaches and Migraine: In-depth well researched content, advocacy advice, forum, free email newsletter.
MAGNUM, the National Migraine Association: Information, support, advocacy.
Need a good Migraine specialist?: Directory of recommended Migraine specialists.
MigraineBlog: Issues of importance to Migraineurs.
The World Headache Alliance: Helpful information for Migraineurs around the World.

Helpful Items from Amazon

to help us on our path to living well.

Learning about headaches and Migraines is one of the easiest ways to fight them. Here are a few of my favorite books. I also recommend the MedicAlert E-HealthKEY as a superb way to always have medical records readily available.