Your Ask the Doctor Cheat Sheet for Migraines

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Women are three times more likely to suffer from migraines, which can be triggered by anything from stress to smoking to caffeine withdrawal and not enough sleep. Symptoms include intense headaches, light sensitivity, nausea and vomiting. Meet with a neurologist who can create a treatment plan that's best for you. Bring this list of questions so you can learn about your options and how to manage the pain.

Question About My Diagnosis
--How can you tell whether this headache is a migraine or other type?
--Will the incidence of migraines increase over time?
--Can the headaches go away in the future?
--Can they be prevented?
--Will having migraines lead to other medical conditions?

Questions About My Treatment
--Are non-prescription medications sufficient for treatment?
--Are there prescription medications for prevention that I can take?
--What are the side effects of the drugs for migraines?
--Are there vitamins or herbs that can treat or prevent migraines?

Questions About My Lifestyle & Family
--What should I track in my headache diary?
--Can acupuncture, biofeedback and hypnosis help?
--Which exercises would help prevent headaches?
--Does smoking affect frequency of headaches?
--Is there a special diet that affects frequency or intensity of migraines?
--Do migraines run in families? What can they do to prevent them?

--Get more information on coping with migraines on Vitals.com
--To get help managing your health, check out these other condition-specific guides, from high cholesterol to seasonal allergies

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