I love trains. They're strong, majestic, symbolic of our pioneering spirit, and intensely romantic. Years ago, I walked through the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore, Maryland. As I marveled at their majesty, I could hear Johnny Cash, rumbling in his inimitable style, "... hear that train a'runnin', runnin' right down that track. Don't know where it's goin', don't know when it's commin' back..."

Migraine sufferers can recognize the description: recurring, intense, rhythmic melody of moderate to severe pain. Additionally, their pain can be accompanied by nausea, hypersensitivity to sound, light, and/or movement. Extreme sufferers may see lines, spots, flashing lights - and may even include total blindness. Attacks last from 4 to 72 hours, and can occur several times a month, over decades of years.

How serious is this affliction? An estimated 28 million Americans are afflicted with this chronic condition. Over 90% have a family history of migraines. Nearly 89% of migraine sufferers report being only half as productive six days a month. Women are nearly three times as men to be afflicted. Most people suffering from migraines go through life undiagnosed and untreated. The most common misdiagnosis is 'sinus attack'. Why? We live in stressful times. We don't get enough sleep. Many of us are depressed. We don't exercise as much as we should and tend to overeat. We have high blood pressure. Some women's menstrual cycles are more difficult than others. ALL of these preceding life circumstances CAN and DO contribute to the frequency and severity of migraine attacks.

Migraine attacks are often cyclic and usually triggered by one or more SPECIFIC events. The triggers vary from person to person. Some of them are:

 Emotional Stress

 Environmental Changes (.eg. storm front coming)

 Foods - nitrites, sulfites, MSG, caffeine, alcohol

 Smells - cleansers, paint, pets

 Tobacco

 Medications

 Hormonal Changes (60% - 70% related to Menses cycle)

Therefore, the key to diagnosing and ultimately successfully treating an individual suffering from migraine attacks is to maintain a log or diary of events preceding the attack, how you are feeling during an attack, what was done to alleviate the pain, and the success of the actions taken. Keep maintaining this log and share this information with your physician.

Successful treatment includes avoiding behaviors that trigger events, making some healthier lifestyle choices, and treating the pain aggressively at the very beginning to minimize your suffering and maximize your personal productivity. We want you to have your life back on track. Treating migraines with aspirin or other off the shelf remedies often cause rebound headaches. You can suffer all day... OR receive a prescription for medications that work and can get you back on your feet within 2 hours or less. Call your doctor and get off that train!!!

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