Migraine: the ultimate treatment list
According to the Golden Rule of the Migraine World, there are no one-size-fits-all treatments. Therefore, how can you find the treatments and approaches that will help YOU? There are so many, it can be bewildering. How can you find your way among the quick fixes,…
Is it necessary to have a CT scan or an MRI to diagnose migraine?
My physician did not prescribe any imaging test even if I have frequent migraines since years. Should I be concerned? Imaging is not always necessary to clarify a headache situation. If: You do not present any red flags (See this post) You have a normal…
Your Migraine Team: you are not alone
Migraine can be a very mild problem for some people. One, two advils, and that’s it (lucky them). But for many people with migraine, there is no quick fix or easy solution. On your path to improvement and a better life, you may meet different…
Taking care of the person with migraine for health care providers
(If you are a patient, you can show this to your health care provider!) Creating a positive relationship and working alliance with your patient is an important step to getting the information you need to care for people with migraines. Remember this is team…
How to adopt a migraine-friendly lifestyle
Changing your lifestyle can improve your migraines, but it can be hard. Here are some tips on how to make the changes that you want to improve your health and migraines. 1. Look at the options on the Migraine Tree And pick some areas where…
Migraine: Facts, Fiction, and Frequently Asked Questions
Migraine is a very common health problem. It’s not surprising that myths on migraine are also common! Let debunk some of those false ideas that are still heard frequently. FICTION: A migraine is just a bad headache. FACT: Migraine is a neurological disorder and one…
What is the placebo effect and why is it important?
What is a placebo response? A placebo response is an improvement in symptoms after treatment that would not normally help the condition, such as a sugar pill or a fake (“sham”) injection. Why would migraine get better with a sugar pill or sham injection? Biological…
Triggers: avoid them or cope with them?
What are migraine triggers? Migraine triggers are things you come in contact with that your brain reacts to by starting a migraine attack. These things can be inside your body, like hormones and feelings, or outside of you, like weather changes and smells. Things inside…
The Ping Pong theory : is migraine a cause or a consequence?
Is my stress causing my migraines? I find that having migraines is one major cause of stress for me! And these neck tensions…cause or consequence of migraine? As you have might have read, the migraine brain is a complex organ with a very particular software….
The cause of migraine: it’s all in your brain! The electrical and chemical sides of migraine
Migraine is not an imaginary problem. Migraine is a neurological disease. The next time someone tells you that migraine is «all in your head», do not hesitate to explain that migraine is a neurological disease with genetic components and with electrical and neurochemical mechanisms. Tell…
How to use a Migraine Diary
«Migraine is invisible on an MRI…but it is very visible on a diary» Let’s face it, monitoring migraine is important. During your migraine journey, you will try different treatments, and it will be very important to observe what is going on. Of course, if you…
Top Ten Facts on Migraine for Beginners
1. Migraine is a real neurological disease Okay, we feel like we must repeat this one over and over again. Migraine is still perceived in many parts of the world as a psychiatric disease, or as a made-up excuse to avoid work or social interactions….
Guide to the Migraine Tree: how to find the information you’re looking for
What is the Migraine Tree? If you’re living with migraine, the amount of information you will navigate during your quest for improvement is huge. The list of topics seems endless, from essential oils to antibodies, from Botox to diets, and of course trying to figure…
Does it work? Is it safe? Finding your way in the jungle of migraine “cures”
If you live with migraines, you probably want to get rid of them. The first step in such a situation is often to look online and use Google. You will then enter a complex world of promises, advertisement, scientific websites, and claims of miracles. You…
Talking with Your Health Care Team to Get the Most Out of Your Appointments
Building a strong, positive team with your doctor’s office will help you get the care that you need to manage your migraines. Remember this is team work! Here are some tips to have a productive collaboration with your health care provider.NB We also wrote a…
