1. Report by Jonathan Cartney

2.  Under-diagnosed/under-treated  28-30 million people diagnosed each year in the United States (Approx 12 percent of US pop.)  75 percent of all cases are women  Affects all ages however common in ages 5-40

3. Two Types of Migraines  Classic Migraines – Presents with an aura (aura symptoms include flashing lights or zigzag lines, temporary loss of vision, speech difficulty, weakness of an arm or leg, tingling of the face or hands, and confusion) Pain can last up to 1 – 2 days.  Common Migraine – Migraines that the common public suffer from. Pain can last up to 3-4 days. Does not present with an aura.

4.  Exposure to a Trigger  Pre-Migraine symptoms (Warning signs caused by vasoconstriction)  Vasodilatation  Including the Temporal Artery (which causes pain)  Release of serotonin from nerves causing  Sympathetic Nervous System Stimulation  Further vasodilatation  Release of pain producing substances called prostaglandins

5.  Unilateral focused pain  Pain can be in:  Forehead  Temple  Back of Head  Sides  Nausea Vomiting and Diarrhea  Photophobia  Sound Sensitivity  Auras (about 20 percent of all cases)

6.  Immediate Headache Medications  Triptans (Imitrex, rizatriptan) – attach to serotonin receptors, vasoconstriction  Ergots (Ergomar, Wigraine) – systemic vasoconstriction  Midrin (combination of pain reliever, vasoconstrictor, and a sedative)  Reduction in Triggers  Prophylactic Medications  Beta Blockers (Decreases prostaglandin production)  Tricyclic antidepressants (alters the neurotransmitters, nor epinephrine and serotonin, that the nerves of the brain use to communicate

7.  Lack/Overabundance of Sleep  Fasting ( caused by stress and reduction in hormone release)  Caffeine (withdrawal or rebound migraines)  Bright Lights  Food Products ( Chocolate, wine, tyramine, MSG, nitrites, aspartame)  Cigarette Smoke  Hormones (in Females only)

8. Migraines are a common symptom for people with brain aneurysms. Severe Migraines can cause an aneurysm to rupture Women with history of migraines 30% less chance of getting breast cancer. (Case study Seattle 3500 participants)

9. Migraines Headaches are rarely dangerous, however the patient can be in moderate to extreme pain. There are very few treatments, just strive to make them comfortable. Attempt to remove the patients from the triggers.

10.  Unknown. "Migraine Headaches." undefined. June 2007. Health A to Z. 12 Dec 2008.. Unknown. "Migraine Headaches." undefined. June 2007. Health A to Z. 12 Dec 2008. <http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/common/standard/transfor m.jsp?requestURI=/healthatoz/Atoz/dc/caz/neur/hach/headmir.jsp>.  Mueller, Loretta L. D.O.. "Migraine Headaches." Diagnosing and Managing Migraine Headache. November 2007. The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association. 18 Dec 2008.. Mueller, Loretta L. D.O.. "Migraine Headaches." Diagnosing and Managing Migraine Headache. November 2007. The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association. 18 Dec 2008..  Chang, Louise MD. "Migraines & Headaches Health Center." Migraines May Cut Breast Cancer Risk. 6 November 2008. WebMD. 21 Dec 2008.. Chang, Louise MD. "Migraines & Headaches Health Center." Migraines May Cut Breast Cancer Risk. 6 November 2008. WebMD. 21 Dec 2008. <http://www.webmd.com/migraines- headaches/news/20081105/migraines-may-cut-breast-cancer-risk>.  Unknown. "NINDS Migraine Information Page." What is Migraine?. 11 December 2008. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. 21 Dec 2008.. Unknown. "NINDS Migraine Information Page." What is Migraine?. 11 December 2008. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. 21 Dec 2008..  Sandeep K. Aggarwal, M.D.,. "Migraine Headaches." Migraine Headaches. 10 April 2008. Neurology Channel. 21 Dec 2008.. Sandeep K. Aggarwal, M.D.,. "Migraine Headaches." Migraine Headaches. 10 April 2008. Neurology Channel. 21 Dec 2008..