NEWS worthy Clips (2/2)
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Making Headway on Migraines
Getting treatment
Proper treatment for migraines usually starts with a visit to a neurologist. That’s what Nancy Christy finally did about 15 years ago after suffering headaches for most of her life.
“I just thought it was normal all those years, and I just learned to function with it,” says Christy. “But they were getting worse [so] I began to take control.”
Taking control, Herzog says, begins with a comprehensive history: tracking when headaches occur, charting the patient’s eating and lifestyle habits. Then comes a process of trial and error: (one phrase) possible triggers, testing which medications may help, and making changes ranging from losing weight to getting more sleep.
“It can take months to sort out, and it can involve some work for the patient, but we can do more than ever before both in acute treatment and preventive ,” Herzog says.
Christy has lost a lot of weight, worked on relaxation techniques and learned to watch out for too much sugar, red wine and MSG, among other things.
Finding relief from pain
Mel Pokorny took a similar approach-without medication. She worked at(one phrase) and learned what helps when she feels a migraine coming on: ice packs, a dark room and relaxation.
“If I don’t catch mine right at the beginning, I can be down for a couple of days,” she says. “But you learn what works for you … I have it down to about six a year.”
Herzog and Simons are optimistic about the prospects for making progress against migraines. The battle rages on many fronts, from research into brain chemistry to drugs developed for other uses that may be effective in controlling migraines.
In the meantime, Simons says, the message should be clear: “People who have migraines don’t just have to suffer. We want them to know there is something they can do.”
Vocabulary Focus
comprehensive (adj) ---complete and including everything that is necessary
trial and error (n. phr) ---a way of learning by trying different methods and learning from the mistakes that you make
be down (phr. v) ---to be in an inactive state, usually for a temporary period of time
front (n) ---a particular area of activity
Specialized terms