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What Are Migraine Headaches?
What Triggers Migraine Headaches?
How Are Migraine Headaches Diagnosed?
Migraine Headache Treatments
Work With Your Healthcare Professional
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How Are Migraine Headaches Diagnosed?

If you suspect that you suffer from migraine, there are things you can do to help your healthcare professional help you. Try to work with a healthcare professional who can diagnose migraine headaches based on three main areas:

  • Your migraine symptoms
  • Your personal history of headaches
  • Your family history of headaches

Your primary care physician

Start with your own primary care physician—the doctor you see for regular checkups and other ailments. This is the person who knows the most about your medical history. While your personal physician may not specialize in migraines, he or she will at least be knowledgeable about migraine symptoms and be able to make an initial evaluation of your condition before determining if you need a specialist for additional help.

A neurologist
A neurologist is a medical doctor skilled in identifying neurological problems. Since a neurologist specializes in the brain (see migraine glossary) and the treatment of disorders affecting the nervous system, he or she will probably be up to date on the latest migraine treatments.

A headache specialist
While a headache specialist is usually a neurologist, he or she can sometimes be a doctor of internal medicine or another type of medical specialist.

No matter whom you work with to determine if you do in fact suffer from migraine, be sure you explore all of your migraine treatment options.

 

Related links:

Migraine Headache Treatments

Prepare for the Visit to Your Healthcare Professional

 

 

 

What Are Migraine Headaches? | What Triggers Migraine Headaches? | How Are Migraine Headaches Diagnosed? | Migraine Headache Treatments | Work With Your Healthcare Professional | Web Resources

The Myth About People with Migraine

MYTH:
People with migraine are less productive members of society.

FACT:
People with migraine include several famous celebrities, authors, artists, and professional athletes whose performances have not been diminished due to migraine. See how people lead normal lives by treating migraine headaches.


Migraine Prevention Medicine

Learn about the #1 prescription migraine prevention medicine used by neurologists. Go to TOPAMAX.com.More...


Migraine Pain Relief Medicine

Learn about a prescription medicine with an effective combination of fast and lasting acute migraine pain relief. Go to AXERT.com.More...




Ortho-McNeil Neurologics

TOPAMAX® (topiramate) Tablets are approved for migraine prevention in adults only. The usefulness of TOPAMAX in the acute treatment of migraine headache has not been studied.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT TOPAMAX

Serious risks associated with TOPAMAX include lowered bicarbonate levels in the blood resulting in an increase in the acidity of the blood (metabolic acidosis), and hyperventilation (rapid, deep breathing) or fatigue. More severe symptoms of metabolic acidosis could include irregular heartbeat or changes in the level of alertness.  Chronic, untreated metabolic acidosis may increase the risk for kidney stones or bone disease. Your doctor may want to do simple blood tests to measure bicarbonate levels.

Other serious risks include increased eye pressure (glaucoma), decreased sweating, increased body temperature, kidney stones, sleepiness, dizziness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Tell your doctor immediately if you have blurred vision or eye pain.

More common side effects are tingling in arms and legs, loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea, taste change and weight loss.

Tell your doctor about other medications you take.

AXERT® (almotriptan malate) Tablets are indicated for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults and should be used only when a clear diagnosis of migraine has been established. AXERT is not intended for the prophylactic therapy of migraine or for use in the management of hemiplegic or basilar migraine. Safety and effectiveness of AXERT have not been established for cluster headache, which is present in an older, predominantly male population.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT AXERT

AXERT tablets should be used only when a clear diagnosis of migraine has been established. AXERT is not right for everyone. You should not take AXERT if you have known heart disease or risk factors for heart disease or stroke (family history, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, past menopause or smoking). Medicines in this class have been associated with rare reports of serious heart-related problems. Because AXERT may increase blood pressure it should not be taken if you have uncontrolled hypertension. If you're not sure whether you have heart disease or risk factors, ask your doctor.

Before taking AXERT, be sure to tell your doctor about any medicines you are taking or plan to take. As with other medicines in this class, AXERT should not be taken within 24 hours of another triptan or ergotamine. Do no take AXERT if you have had an allergic reaction to any of its ingredients.

The most common side effects are: nausea, sleepiness, tingling in the arms or legs (paresthesia), headache, and dry mouth.

As your healthcare professional about side effects and other important considerations before taking AXERT.

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