|
Migraine is a genetic neurological disease that affects 36 million Americans. With better diagnosis and with reporting of this disease on the rise, an almost 60 percent increase in prevalence of Migraine over the past decade has been noted. Migraine is a neurological, and oftentimes hereditary, disease. Migraine is typically characterized by severe, recurring head pain, usually located on one side of the head and one or more of the following associated symptoms: nausea; vomiting; and increased sensitivity to light, sound and smell. Other associated symptoms may include lightheadedness, diarrhea and scalp tenderness. Migraine symptoms vary for each individual sufferer, making diagnosis -- the key to an effective treatment program -- complicated.
Many breakthroughs regarding the biological and genetic causes of Migraine have been made in recent years. And while certain of the exact biological mechanisms are still being studied, it is known that Migraine is caused by neurological, not psychological, mechanisms. Hence, breakthroughs in treatment offer hope and relief for millions of people who suffer from the physical and emotional pain of migraine.
|
