Managing Your Headaches

Frequent headaches seriously affect the quality of life for millions of sufferers. The result can be lost productivity and lost income, restricted ability, lower self-esteem, and even social isolation. For many it takes years to find the appropriate medication to manage their headaches effectively. In Managing Your Headaches, Drs. Mark and Leah Green explain what information you should record for your physician, what a physician is looking for in a neurological examination, and what you should and should not do to reduce the frequency and severity of your headaches. They discuss the effects of stress, psychological factors, food triggers, and environmental risks. The authors explain the symptoms of migraine, cluster, and tension-type headaches, as well as less common types. They address common concerns and misconceptions and explain current knowledge about headache causes in understandable terms. Managing Your Headaches will tell you what you need to know to better control your headaches. Armed with the information in this book, you can be aware of the latest treatment options and can have more helpful discussions with your physician. Frequent headaches seriously affect the quality of life for millions of sufferers. The result can be lost productivity and lost income, restricted ability, lower self-esteem, and even social isolation. For many it takes years to find the appropriate medication to manage their headaches effectively. In MANAGING YOUR HEADACHES, Dr. Mark and Leah Green explain what information you should record for your physician, what a physician is looking for in a neurological examination, and what you should and should not do to reduce the frequency and severity of your headaches. They discuss the effects of stress, psychological factors, food triggers, and environmental risks. The authors explain the symptoms of migraine, cluster, and tension-type headaches, as well as less common types. They address common concerns and misconceptions and explain current knowledge about headache causes in understandable terms. The newest most effective medications and their possible side effects are evaluated. The authors also explain how to prevent rebound headaches from overmedication and how nonmedical treatments, such as exercise and massage therapy, can be of value. MANAGING YOUR HEADACHES will tell you what you need to know to better control your headaches. Armed with the information in this book, you can be aware of the latest treatment options and can have more helpful discussions with your physician. Dr. Mark Green is a Professor of Neurology at New York Medical College and Associate Director of the Headache Institute at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center and Beth Israel Hospital Center in New York City. Dr. Leah Green is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at New York Medical College in Valhalla. Headache for History Buffs....Pages 1-9 Maybe I Have a Sinus Headache....Pages 11-25 Maybe It’s All Due to Stress....Pages 27-32 Are You Sure I Don’t Have a Brain Tumor?....Pages 33-45 What Causes Headaches?....Pages 47-56 Don’t Make It Worse....Pages 57-69 What Can I Do About My Headaches?....Pages 71-102 What Do I Have to Look Forward To?....Pages 103-106 Here’s the Take-Home Message....Pages 107-108