- “The Migraine Brain is a godsend. As a former migraine sufferer, I wish I'd had this book years ago!” — Christiane Northrup, M.D., author of Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom and Mother Daughter Wisdom
- “Dr. Bernstein's program has helped hundreds of her patients master migraines, and her book can help you, too.” — Mehmet C. Oz, M.D., coauthor of You: The Owner's Manual, You: Staying Young and You: On a Diet
- “The Migraine Brain is the most complete and up-to-date resource and is a must for all migraine sufferers and anyone who lives with them. It is thorough, easy to understand, and well organized. The ultimate migraine resource.” — Nieca Goldberg, M.D., author of Dr. Nieca Goldberg's Complete Guide to Women's Health
- “At last! The Migraine Brain offers real hope, help, and compassion to migraine sufferers everywhere.” — Pauline W. Chen, M.D., author of Final Exam : A Surgeon's Reflections on Mortality
- “As a family doctor, I welcome this wonderful book, which can help patients reduce the impact of migraine on their lives. The Migraine Brain explains the subject well and makes understandable a complex condition. It is comprehensive and filled with practical tips for feeling better.” — Erica Swegler, M.D., 2006 Texas Family Physician of the Year
- “Bernstein, a neurologist who suffered her first migraines in her 20s, teaches at Harvard Medical School and is on staff at the Cambridge Health Alliance, where she founded the Women’s Headache Center. With journalist McArdle, she presents a clear and comprehensive analysis of the migraine brain. Noting that there are about 30 million migraine sufferers in the U.S., Bernstein reveals that migraine is a complex neurological disease that affects the central nervous system. A severe headache is just one of its symptoms: others may be nausea, vomiting, visual changes or sensitivity to light or sound: the authors help readers identify the triggers that can bring on an attack (such as stress, insufficient sleep, menstrual periods or a host of other factors). Bernstein then helps the “migraineur” develop a personalized plan to “prevent, abort, or rescue.” The authors include research on the new “triptan” meds, which can interrupt the neurochemical reaction of an attack and halt a migraine in its tracks, as well as info on preventive medications (i.e., beta-blockers and antidepressants) and such alternative methods as biofeedback and acupuncture. Bernstein approaches the reader as she might patients—“creatively, scientifically and sympathetically”—offering a range of tactics and treatments to help migraine sufferers control and mitigate their pain.” — Publishers Weekly
- “The significant number of migraine sufferers in the United States indicates that this up-to-date book will be a highly valued guide, as it offers the realistic message that having migraines is a neurological and biochemical occurrence that individuals cannot cure but can learn to treat proactively. Bernstein, herself a migraine sufferer, is a practicing neurologist and the founder of the Women’s Headache Center at the Cambridge Health Alliance, and these credentials make her an empathetic authority. In this empowering book, simple definitions of medical terms increase understanding for lay readers and deflect feelings of isolation, as does the use of quotations from those with migraines. Informative chapters on what migraines are, pinpointing your personal triggers, living with a migraineur, work and traveling, and finding the right doctor (including what your doctor should not do) complement sections detailing both conventional and alternative health care and practical suggestions, e.g., keeping a headache diary. This would be a good replacement for Christina Peterson’s 1999 book, The Women’s Migraine Survival Guide. Recommended for public and consumer health libraries.” — Elizabeth J. Eastwood, Library Journal
- “Having a Headache?
By Kelly Jad'on
basilandspice.com
FIVE STARS
With the publishing of The Migraine Brain, a precedent has been set for better prevention and treatment of migraine patients. Written by Carolyn Bernstein, herself a migraine sufferer, but also the Founder and Director of the Women’s Headache Center at Cambridge Health Alliance, Dr. Bernstein empathizes with those who are struck down by the mind-numbing pain of migraines.
Dr. Bernstein refers to those with the headaches as migraineurs, and as a neurologist on the faculty at Harvard Medical School, she has treated thousands of fellow sufferers.
The Migraine Brain seeks to express to readers how to:
Prevent migraines
Find their triggers
Reduce pain and duration of the migraine
Understand her/his own brain
Bernstein’s Points to ponder:
One in every four households in the United States includes a person who get migraines. It is the ninth leading cause of disability among women, and is also one of the most painful conditions. Some women quoted in the book said that natural childbirth was not as easy as a migraine.
Migraine costs the United States $1 billion a year in health costs and about $13 billion in loss of industry.
Most migraine sufferers do not realize they have the condition as it is often misdiagnosed or underreported.
Within the last 15 years, new medications have revolutionized migraine treatment.
Alternative medical treatment, like yoga, ice massage, acupuncture, and biofeedback has been found to help.
Even the famous get migraines. Recognize any of these? Terrell Davis, Troy Aikman, Serena Williams, Kareem Abdul-Jabar, Ben Affleck, Whoopi Goldberg, Carly Simon
Foods like chocolate and red wine do not begin migraines, rather for some, foods set off abnormal brain chemistry, which begins the migraine.
At a 3 to 1 ration, more women than men get migraines due to a difference in our brains. 1 in 20 elementary school children get migraines.
Those with migraines are more likely to be depressed.
The Migraine Brain is divided into three large sections, each covering a different aspect of the migraine. Part one helps the reader decide if hers is a true migraine, learn how to find anything that triggers the condition ( Dr. Bernstein lists her own top ten), and covers how female hormones play a part throughout life. There is also a short but important section for men.
Part two discusses how to find the right physician to help you; explains the variety of medications—those that prevent, abort, and rescue; mentions in-hospital treatment; covers recent natural alternative methods for migraine relief.
Part three helps the reader set up her personal wellness plan. Topics covered are family, sex, mental health, travel, home environment, and work.
The Migraine Brain is the kind of book I really like, because it is written by a doctor who is also a researcher, but more important than this, she is a self-advocate—Dr. Carolyn Bernstein truly understands the disease. We all know someone who suffers, sometimes needlessly because of lack of information. By reaching out to both her patients and other readers, Dr. Bernstein has handed them a tool which will empower their lives. I highly recommend The Migraine Brain, and will pass my copy along to my aunt who has suffered her entire life with migraines.
5 Stars
” — Kelly Jad'on, Basilandspice.com
- “AARP Magazine recommends The Migraine Brain in its October 2008 "Books for Grownups.” — AARP Magazine