Management of migraine
Bousser, M.G.; Massiou, H.
Pathologie-Biologie 40(4): 406-412
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0369-8114 PMID: 1323092 Document Number: 404133
When considering treatment for migraine patient, the physician should bear in mind how little is known about this remarkably complex and diverse condition with no miracle cure or single uniform method of treatment. Experience suggests that adherence to a number of principles based on a combination of common sense, modesty, and open-mindedness is essential to effective management of migraine. The patient needs to be both reassured and taken seriously, and should be told that the cause of migraine is unknown and that performing multiple investigations would be unhelpful. The difference between acute treatments and maintenance prophylactic treatments should be clearly explained. The patient should participate in therapeutic decisions such as whether or not to use prophylaxis and whether pharmacologic or nonpharmacologic treatment is most appropriate. Finally, and most importantly, both the physician and patient must be aware that much patience is needed but that this patience will usually be rewarded, not by complete resolution of the disease, but by an often dramatic improvement in the migraine patient's quality of life.