The brain is the most complex organ in our body. Indeed, it is perhaps the most complex structure we have ever encountered in nature. Both structurally and functionally, there are many peculiarities that differentiate the brain from all other organs. The brain is our connection to the world around us and by governing nervous system and higher function, any disturbance induces severe neurological and psychiatric disorders that can have a devastating effect on quality of life. Our understanding of the physiology and biochemistry of the brain has improved dramatically in the last two decades. In particular, the critical role of cations, including magnesium, has become evident, even if incompletely understood at a mechanistic level. The exact role and regulation of magnesium, in particular, remains elusive, largely because intracellular levels are so difficult to routinely quantify. Nonetheless, the importance of magnesium to normal central nervous system activity is self-evident given the complicated homeostatic mechanisms that maintain the concentration of this cation within strict limits essential for normal physiology and metabolism. There is also considerable accumulating evidence to suggest alterations to some brain functions in both normal and pathological conditions may be linked to alterations in local magnesium concentration. This book, containing chapters written by some of the foremost experts in the field of magnesium research, brings together the latest in experimental and clinical magnesium research as it relates to the central nervous system. It offers a complete and updated view of magnesiums involvement in central nervous system function and in so doing, brings together two main pillars of contemporary neuroscience research, namely providing an explanation for the molecular mechanisms involved in brain function, and emphasizing the connections between the molecular changes and behavior. It is the untiring efforts of those magnesium researchers who have dedicated their lives to unraveling the mysteries of magnesiums role in biological systems that has inspired the collation of this volume of work.

Arguing that an appropriate medication has the best potential for relieving a headache, a guide to headache treatment discusses different types of pain, and conventional and alternative options for prevention or treatment.

Based on the breakthrough understanding that virtually all headaches are forms of migraine--because migraine is not a specific type of headache, but the built-in mechanism that causes headaches of all kinds, along with neck stiffness, sinus congestion, dizziness, and other problems--Dr. Buchholz's Heal Your Headache puts headache sufferers back in control of their lives with a simple, transforming program: Step 1: Avoid the "Quick Fix." Too often painkillers only make matters worse because of the crippling complication known as rebound. Step 2: Reduce Your Triggers. The crux of the program: a migraine diet that eliminates the foods that push headache sufferers over the top. Step 3: Raise Your Threshold. When diet and other lifestyle changes aren't enough, preventive medication can help stay the course. That's it: in three steps turn your headache problems around.

Unsurpassed in scope and effectiveness, this is a unique and comprehensive collection of natural headache remedies that will help sufferers discover how to identify the headache type and explore a wealth of soothing therapies that can be used alone or in combination with conventional medical care.

(Foreword by Ginger Kolbaba, Marriage Partnership) From a popular syndicated writer comes this look at changes to a woman's daily life that can help increase her sex drive.

Headaches and migraine affect up to 10 million people in the UK and are one of the common problems seen in doctors’ surgeries and emergency departments. The profound effect they have on daily life means that they are now viewed by the World Health Organisation as one of the world’s most disabling diseases. This new edition of Coping with Headaches and Migraine explains how lifestyle measures can help and updates the research on causes, treatments and ways to cope. It explores genetic factors in migraine and the increasing use of non-drug treatments such as nerve stimulation. Topics include: migraine and its varying symptoms, cluster headache, tension headache, daily headaches, medication overuse headache, causes and triggers, medical help and drugs, diet, exercise, lifestyle, non-drug strategies and complementary remedies, headaches affecting women at various stages of their lives, research and future approaches to treatment.

M. WILKINSON Patients with frequent or daily headaches pose a very difficult problem for the physician who has to treat them, particularly as many patients think that there should be a medicine or medicines which give them instant relief. In the search for the compound which would meet this very natural desire, many drugs have been manufactured and the temptation for the physician is either to increase the dose of a drug which seems to be, at any rate, partially effective, or to add one or more drugs to those which the patient is already taking. Although there have been some references to the dangers of overdosage of drugs for migraine in the past, it was not until relatively recently that it was recognized that drugs given for the relief of headache, if taken injudiciously, may themselves cause headache. The first drugs to be implicated in this way were ergotamine and phenazone. In the case of ergotamine tartrate, the dangers of ergotism were well known as this was a disorder which had been known and written about for many years. In the treatment of headache, fully blown ergotism is rare and in recent years has usually been due to self-medication in doses much greater than those prescribed although there are a few recorded cases where toxic amounts have been given.

Fifteen specialists serve as chapter authors, covering sex hormones and genetics, as well as the social, cultural, psychiatric, and psychological factors that contribute to headache disorders. Their approach is evidence-based, but where there are gaps in research, the authors provide advice based on expert consensus and clinical experience. Each chapter opens with a case report that synthesizes the chapter's treatment recommendations, as well as key points listing the chapter's contents. The main body of the chapter features an introductory overview, a closing summary, tables, and an extensive list of suggestive reading.

This cutting-edge book will cover various aspects of headache management, with a focus on difficult patients. Practical, step-by-step advice for treating challenging headaches, including migraine, refractory and cluster headaches, will be provided in detail along with how to approach patients of different ages and those with psychological disorders. Unique and complex case studies and complete explanations to the vast array of medications will also be featured. Authored by one of the leading experts on refractory headaches, Advanced Headache Management will be an invaluable guide for the resident or clinician and an easy-to-read resource for many patients.