Comprehensive Review of Headache Medicines [Hardcover]

"...easy to read and covers all the main topics in headache medicine."--The New England Journal of Medicine

"Overall, this book is highly recommended as an addition to the library of anyone who researches or treats headache on a regular basis. Its breadth of coverage will make it a useful tool for general practitioners and headache specialists alike."--Archives of Neurology

"This is a thorough, easily digestible guide for any practitioner caring for headache patients. A thoughtful review of anatomy precedes comprehensive chapters discussing diagnosis, treatment, and the care and management of special populations....This is one of the first books...which can stand alone as a study guide for the UCNS headache medicine certification exam. The contributing authors are among the most influential and knowledgeable experts in the world, and they discuss the latest in evidence-based diagnosis and treatment while inserting thoughtful personal views and pearls."--Doody's

Headache Medicine has recently become an official medical subspecialty. Practitioners who specialize in the field come from many different backgrounds including neurology, internal medicine, anesthesiology, rehabilitation medicine, family medicine, psychiatry, dentistry and others. A great deal of research is being done in HM and as a result, the field is one which is growing rapidly in every way. Interestingly, most patients with headache are not being treated by specialists in HM, in large part because of the vast numbers of patients requiring medical attention for headache disorders, and the relatively small number of bona fide specialists. There is thus a need for resources to guide these practitioners as they manage headache patients. There are several excellent scholarly texts in the field, and numerous books for the public about headache. There are really no concise manuals of HM, however, aimed at the bulk of skilled practitioners taking care of the major share of headache sufferers, who wish to understand the important concepts of diagnosis, treatment and prognosis in this complex field. This is the aim of this book which consists of 4 parts: Part 1- Headache Medicine Basic Science, Part 2 - Diagnosis of Primary Headache Disorders, Part 3 - Diagnosis of Secondary Headache Disorders, and Part 4 - Headache Treatment. Chapters in each section are concise, but include cutting edge information about these aspects of headache medicine. The organization of the contents of this book is similar to the Curriculum for Headache Medicine designed by the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties (UCNS) which is the organization responsible for accrediting Headache Medicine training programs and accrediting individual practitioners. The content of the book mirrors that of ther UCNS board examination as well. Chapters include key tables and illustrations. Review questions are included at the end of each chapter and serve as a study resource. The editor Dr. Morris Levin is a charter diplomate of the UCNS HM examination and has directed board review courses for the American Headache Society and Headache Cooperative of New England. All of the eligible chapter authors have taken and passed this examination as well. The International Classification of Headache Disorders is used throughout this text and a concerted effort has been made to base content on evidence when available, rather than personal practices. Each chapter is intended as a stand alone monograph and as a result the book can be read in virtually any order.