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Migraine Headaches
(NR009)

Introduction


Migraine is a syndrome characterized by recurrent headaches with or without aura that can include various combinations of neurologic, gastrointestinal, and autonomic changes.
Migraine headaches are experienced by persons of all races, cultures, and geographical locations. Migraine can not be diagnosed after a single episode. Migraine is by definition, recurrent, and symptoms must meet certain criteria to establish the diagnosis and to be classified according to type of migraine.

It is estimated that more than 23 million Americans - about 17% of women and 6% of men - experience migraine. Migraine is the most common cause of severe recurrent headache in children and one child in nine (10.6%) of school age children suffers from migraine. The annual financial burden to society is estimated to be in the range of $1 billion to $17 billion.

Treatment strategies for migraine fall into two broad categories: symptomatic (abortive) and preventive (prophylactic). The goals of treatment are to relieve pain and the associated symptoms and to optimize the person's ability to function normally.

Treatment strategies are based on the frequency, nature, and severity of attacks. Individualization of treatment is an important aspect of successful care. Symptom relief should include not only on the pain of the headache, but associated symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. The rare occurrence of intractable, acute migraine may require hospitalization and aggressive intravenous treatment.

MediFocus Guides... When You Need Trustworthy Medical Information


The Medifocus Guide on Migraine Headaches provides answers to the following important questions and medical issues:


What Your Doctor Reads:


This MediFocus Guide contains an extensive listing of citations and abstracts of recent journal articles that have been published about this condition in trustworthy medical journals. This is the same type of information that is available to physicians and other health care professionals. A partial selection of journal articles that are abstracted in this MediFocus Guide includes:


MediFocus Guides... When You Need Trustworthy Medical Information


MediFocus.com understands that consumers who are facing serious medical issues need access to credible, up-to-date medical information to help them make informed health-care decisions. That's why we've developed the MediFocus Guides...the most advanced and trustworthy patient research guides for over 200 chronic and life-threatening conditions. Each MediFocus Guide includes a detailed overview of the condition including information about diagnosis, treatment options, cutting-edge research, and new developments; excerpts of important journal articles from the current medical literature focusing on standard treatments and treatment options; a directory of leading authors and medical institutions who specialize in the treatment of the condition; and a listing of organizations and support groups where you can obtain additional information about the illness.

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