The American Council for Headache Education (ACHE) launches its new Patient Education Page (PEP) in the journal, Headache. The page is a public service of ACHE, the patient education affiliate of the American Headache Society (AHS) and includes concise information that is useful for both patients and physicians. January's page covers Menstrual Migraine: What You Should Know.

This first patient handout outlines migraine definitions, what to do, and various therapies that women can follow to help alleviate pain and symptoms during their menstrual period. Sufferers are encouraged to keep a calendar to track menstruation and migraine headaches while avoiding triggers, such as lack of sleep, alcohol or skipping meals.

Examples for treatment are provided as well, including information on various medications like triptans or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin. Although the information offered is not intended to be a diagnosis or recommended treatment, the Patient Education Page (PEP) can be an effective tool between physicians and patients to talk about healing.

PEPs are laid out in an easy-to-read format and are perforated, making it easy for physicians to tear out the page, copy and distribute them to their patients. Finally, physicians have something they can easily give to patients to quickly educate them on migraines, and patients know they can access easy-to-use information.

This study is published in Headache. Media wishing to receive a PDF of the article contact medicalnews@bos.blackwellpublishing.net.

About the American Council for Headache Education (ACHE)

ACHE was created in 1990 through an initiative of the American Headache Society, an organization of more than 2,400 physicians, health professionals and research scientists. AHS physicians and ACHE lay members collaborate in producing educational programs and materials, coordinating the support groups, and undertaking public awareness initiatives. ACHE is a nonprofit patient-health professional partnership dedicated to advancing the treatment and management of headache and to raising the public awareness of headache as a valid, biologically based illness. For more information, please visit www. achenet.org.

About the American Headache Society

The American Headache Society (AHS) is a professional society of health care providers dedicated to the study and treatment of headache and face pain. Founded in 1959, AHS brings together physicians and other health providers from various fields and specialties to share concepts and developments about headache and related conditions. For more information on becoming a member of the AHS, please visit www.ahsnet.org.

About Headache

Headache, an official publication of the American Headache Society, publishes original articles on all aspects of head and face pain including communications on clinical and basic research, diagnosis and management, epidemiology, genetics, and pathophysiology of primary and secondary headaches, cranial neuralgias, and pains referred to the head and face. Monthly issues feature case reports, short communications, review articles, letters to the editor, and news items regarding the AHS, plus medicolegal and socioeconomic aspects of head pain. For additional information on the journal, please visit
www.blackwellpublishing.com/hed.

About Blackwell Publishing

Blackwell Publishing is the world's leading society publisher, partnering with more than 550 academic and professional societies. Blackwell publishes over 750 journals and 600 text and reference books annually, across a wide range of academic, medical, and professional subjects.

Contact: Sharon Agsalda
medicalnews@bos.blackwellpublishing.com
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