Abstract
In this book written primarily for people with headache disorders, the authors begin Chapter One with a call to action.
‘Don’t let headaches disrupt and complicate your life anymore. Take a stand. Learn what you can do to help yourself and your doctor to minimize the pain, agony and frustration of headaches.'
This book will be a helpful aid in taking up this charge.
Dr Robbins and Susan Lang preface their work with their own experiences with headache—Robbins a headache specialist suffering from migraine and daily headaches, Lang a medical writer with vivid childhood memories of her father's migraines. This information helps to set the warm and caring tone that carries throughout the book.
By explaining the ‘Modern Approach’ to treating headaches, the authors wisely take the time to emphasize important information about headache treatment. Coming face-to-face with the prevalence of chronic headache, its enormous impact and the myths that serve to dampen the spirit of those affected while providing hope, help and information about the physical nature of headache empowers the reader to continue. The authors collectively make no apology for focusing the content of the book heavily (but not exclusively) on treatment with medication. They provide a large volume of information and educational material on medication (supported by a good index) whilst adding the caveat that the intent is not to replace the individual medical advice of a physician. Importantly, they also make the point that although there is considerable strategy involved in treatment design, the doctor's strategy may involve some trial and error where medications are concerned. Robbins and Lang provide encouragement to continue to work with the doctor through what may seem like confusing times, and to not lapse from care or resort to relying on regular use of over-the-counter preparations. As the book contains American-based treatment, the US health care delivery model is also featured, including the option of telephoning and/or making repeated return visits to a headache specialist.
An understandable explanation is given for the pathophysiology of headache disorders, but in many instances currently accepted classification criteria for the various headache disorders is not used and old terminology such as ‘common’ and ‘classic’ migraine appears.
The information given that encompasses holistic approaches is important (includes a sample headache calendar), practical (provides a tip on being aware of the effects grapefruit juice may have on drug metabolism), action-orientated (outlines an self-hypnosis exercise), and unique (suggests bringing a treat—such as home-baked cookies—to get special attention from the medical team). Appendix A also contains a massive list of further resources, including ‘alternatives’ such as Chinese Medicine, Hypnosis, Chiropractice and Acupuncture.
What is perhaps the most important feature of this book to point out is the influence of Dr Robbin's own medical practice and opinion on the content of the book. Although there is significant effort made to caution the reader on the importance of seeking personalized advice on the way that various medicines will ultimately be prescribed, there are many claims and statements made that are not completely and currently backed by the evidence base. Nevertheless, if the book is intended to provide a huge volume of information by way of introduction to available treatments, it has met this goal. Appendix B & C house what may be one of the most comprehensive and up-to-date lists of over-the-counter and prescription headache medicines and their contents that exists in reference format for patients. Headache Help remains an encouraging, comforting, interesting and informative resource for people—particularly Americans—with headache.