What is a Migraine?
A migraine is a very painful type of headache. Those who get migraines often describe the pain as pulsing or throbbing in one area of the head. During migraines, there is sensitivity to light and sound. Nausea and vomiting are also common.
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, migraine is three times more common in women than in men. Some can tell when they are about to have a migraine because they see flashing lights or zigzag lines or they temporarily lose their vision.
Headache Management Tips
Raising your migraine I.Q. is an important step toward understanding and managing your headache pain. The Headache Management Tip sheet will help you quickly assess your own headaches and your success in managing them.
Headache Diary
The Headache Diary can be used as a tool to keep track of your headaches and also help your doctor better understand your headaches. The headache diary helps to monitor deterioration and improvement in headache frequency, severity, and disability. Patterns in headache frequency, identification of triggers, and the impact on life can be clearly captured by keeping a headache diary.
Headache Action Plan
Migraine headaches cannot be cured. But you can get greater relief and control of your headaches with a headache management plan. A good headache management plan has two parts: the treatment you get from your healthcare practitioner and the steps you take for yourself.
Resources
1on1Health® - www.1on1health.com - by learning all you can and working with your healthcare practitioner, you can find out which treatments fit your needs. 1on1health has lots of information to help you manage your headaches. The content on the 1on1health website was developed by GlaxoSmithKline.
National Headache Foundation - www.headaches.org - The National Headache Foundation exists to enhance the healthcare of headache sufferers. It is a source of help to sufferers' families, physicians who treat headache sufferers, allied healthcare professionals and to the public.
Important Events/Observances
National Headache Awareness Week: June 7 – 13 2009
National Headache Foundation
820 North Orleans, Suite 217
Chicago, IL 60610-3132
(888) NHF-5552 (643-5552)
(312) 640-9049 Fax
info@headaches.org
www.headaches.org
Materials available
Contact: None designated |
