book data
70 ratings,
3.87
average rating, 30 reviews
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published
September 16th 2008
by Free Press
binding
Hardcover, 304 pages
isbn
1416547681
(isbn13: 9781416547686)
description
You know that your migraine isn't just a headache. But you may not know that migraine actually is a neurological disease. Affecting one in five women,...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 131)
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5 stars (16)
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4 stars (29)
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3 stars (23)
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avg 3.87
editions: all | this edition
editions: all | this edition
Read in December, 2008
Adam heard this author interviewed on NPR and recommended it to me since I'm a migraineur. It's written by a Harvard MD who founded a migraine clinic and is a migraineur herself. I liked that she was straightforward about what's known and unknown about migraines. And she didn't offer a silver bullet which was refreshing. Informative and helpful. I'd recommend it to anyone who suffers with migraines.
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Read in December, 2008
I was torn on how many stars to give this book. Dr. Bernstein gives some good advice about avoiding and treating migraines but the book feels really padded. She must have said drink lots of water at least 100 times. I counted 3 times on one page alone (page 292). The book has silly stories about famous people who get migraines and odd little sidebars that didn't always make sense. For example: "In the 17th century, Thomas Willis-considered the father of modern neurology(who happens to be a...more
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Read in April, 2009
"You know that your migraine isn't just a headache. But you may not know that migraine actually is a neurological disease. Affecting one in five women, one in twenty men, and one in twenty children, it's a debilitating, complex, and chronic condition that manifests in a combination of symptoms that can include excruciating head pain as well as other distinctive physical and emotional effects. Yet it's also a disease that you can get control of, improve, and manage, as Dr. Carolyn Bernstein ...more
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Read in January, 2009
recommends it for:
Migraine Sufferers
I heard the author interviewed on NPR a few months back, and finally picked up the book.
Although I've suffered from migraines for at least 17 years, I've never known why they happen, or read any advice on how to prevent them.
Bernstein runs a migraine clinic at Harvard, and interviewed her patients for the book. It's interesting to hear how other people suffer from migraines, and to read their descriptions of the pain. They describe things that I've felt, but have never ...more
Although I've suffered from migraines for at least 17 years, I've never known why they happen, or read any advice on how to prevent them.
Bernstein runs a migraine clinic at Harvard, and interviewed her patients for the book. It's interesting to hear how other people suffer from migraines, and to read their descriptions of the pain. They describe things that I've felt, but have never ...more
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If you suffer from migraines you should consult this book. It describes what migraines are. . .not "headaches" but a neurological condition that is triggered by certain stimuli that are controlled by medication and by diet, exercise, sufficient sleep, etc. Bernstein suggests that migraine sufferers ("migraineurs") keep a diary to record the onset of their migraine, what triggers may have set it off, etc. Common migraine triggers include aspartame, red wine and other alcoho...more
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Read in February, 2009
recommends it for:
migraine sufferers & their families and bosses
If you have migraines, read it. Finally, someone who doesn't trot out silly assumptions like "Just stop eating chocolate and you'll be fine."
The author is a Doctor, with a fondness for meds, and I found her a bit prone to underemphasize triptans' side effects (which they do have), but on the other hand, she's respectful of people who don't want to use them, and quite positive about alt treatments of many sorts (except herbs, but she gives pretty good, specific reasons...more
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Read in June, 2009
As I read this book, I found that I knew a lot about migraines that I didn't realize I knew ... things I had observed but really hadn't put together as to why they came with the migraines. It's nice to know that some of the "odd" symptoms are really quite common among sufferers. Chapter 2 about the reactions of the brain with the drawing and description of the trigeminal nerve explained quite a lot to me - that alone was worth the read!
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Read in March, 2009
Adult nonfiction; health. Comprehensive resource for migraine sufferers dispelling many misconceptions about the condition (it's not just a really bad headache) and offering loads of advice for preventing and treating migraine attacks.
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Read in January, 2009
Explains migraine disorder in a way that is very understandable to the average reader. A bit patronizing in tone, however, and a a little too inside the box. Not much new in Migraine-land for those of us afflicted.
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Read in April, 2009
I learned some things new facts about migraines from this book and it's a relief to hear that some of my unusual symptoms prior to my headaches are not just a sign of me being crazy but a part of the migraine.
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Read in November, 2008
If you suffer from headaches this book is worth buying. I've learned a few things I didn't know and more importantly, some things I've been doing wrong in my quest for a headache free life.
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Read in April, 2009
recommends it for:
migraineurs
A really excellent, accessible book that incorporates most of the coolest research to-date. Dr. Bernstein is very reassuring and informative--so refreshing when so many doctors tend to condescend to migraine patients as neurasthenic whiners. I regularly read up on the most recent migraine studies in a wide variety of sources, but I still felt like I learned a good deal. Best of all, I came away more confident in the validity of my experiences and the prospects for better migraine treatment.
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Read in May, 2009
Perspectives on headache have been changing...it is interesting to read about migraine as a lifelong, inherited disease rather than an acute, temporary ailment. Of course, after one has lived with migraine for a number of years, "triggers" become known; the author describes the challenge in isolating them and the wide variation among both triggers and effects in different patients and situations. Text is easy to read, and provides scientific findings and scales as well as anecdotal dis...more
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Read in April, 2009
Monitor your eating, sleeping, work, play, stress to find out what may cause the migraines. Well, duh.
But it did have a few methods of dealing with migraines that were interesting and new to me.
If you're plagued by migraines, it might be worth your time to at least give this a scan.
But it did have a few methods of dealing with migraines that were interesting and new to me.
If you're plagued by migraines, it might be worth your time to at least give this a scan.
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Read in January, 2009
recommends it for:
people who have the headache
I've read several books on migraines and I think this is the most up to date and thorough that I've found. Dr Bernstein gives a good overview of the biological causes of migraine as well as medications and complementary and alternative therapies that have (and have not) been proven to work. She also focuses on overall health and wellness as a way to prevent migraines, rather than trying to market a magical cure. The book is easy to read and I think it has something for everybody.
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03/20/09
Nikole
is currently reading it
What can I say...had them for 17 years and I have learned a couple new things.
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01/01/09
Jennifer
is currently reading it
I wish I had this book 10 years ago.
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Read in December, 2008
The best info I have every read about migraines. Extremely informative and practical.
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Read in March, 2009
recommended to Vanessa by:
Michael D.recommends it for: Anyone whose life is affected by migraines.
This book is a wonderful resource if you or a family member suffer from migraines. It addresses just about every migraine issue, including a fairly exhaustive list of "triggers" and suggestions for minimizing their effects. Dr. Bernstein also offers detailed analysis of treatments available, including non-pharmaceutical ones. I learned a lot of new things.
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