Answers to migraine questions



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	Common Questions About Migraines

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What Are Migraine Headaches?

The condition known as "migraine" is much more than a tension headache or a simple headache. Migraine headaches can range from mild to severe, are usually felt on one side of your head, and are generally not life-threatening. Migraine headaches are part of a larger condition known as "migraine." A migraine attack typically involves a headache, but often has other symptoms, and can last from 4 hours to 3 days.

If you suffer from migraine headaches, you're not alone: the latest data show that approximately 28 million Americans suffer from migraine headaches—about 12% of the entire population. While they affect both young and old, migraine headaches are most common among those 20 to 40 years old. In the United States, migraine headaches are three times more common in women than in men. An estimated seven million men in the U.S. also suffer from migraine.

Some researchers believe that migraine occurs in people who are predisposed to it, and that migraine can run in families. When conditions are right, a migraine begins, usually set off by a triggering (see migraine glossary) factor or condition.

While every migraine sufferer is unique, all migraine sufferers experience some or all of the following symptoms.

See if you have any of these symptoms of migraine

Common symptoms of migraine include:

Moderate to severe throbbing pain (typically) on one side of the head
Nausea (with or without vomiting)
Sensitivity to light, noise, or odors
Visual disturbance (called “aura”— see migraine glossary)
Frequent attacks (typically one to three a month)

Other symptoms of migraine include:

Loss of appetite
Sensations of being very warm or cold
Paleness
Fatigue
Dizzines
Diarrhea
Fever (rare)

Related links:

Common Questions About Migraine

What Triggers Migraine Headaches?

Migraine Prevention Medicine

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

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.

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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