Migraines are misunderstood, misdiagnosed, and undertreated.  Migraine is more than a headache – it involves a number of changes that occur at a cellular level. Nerve cells become in a sense, hyperactive and these electrical impulses stimulate other areas of the brain.

There are very specific symptoms associated with migraines. These include (although you may not experience all of them):

• pain on one side of the head (unilateral pain)
• throbbing
• photophobia and phonophobia (discomfort to lights or sounds)
• nausea and/or vomiting
• and may or may not be associated with  auras.

Listen to Terri Gross interview neurologist Carolyn Bernstein, herself a migraine sufferer, as she explains:

• how certain common treatments actually can make migraines worse  
• why anti-depressant medications may help
• the role of exercise, hormones, weather, diet and sleep

Dr. Bernstein, who teaches at Harvard Medical Center, founded and directs The Women’s Headache Center at the Cambridge Health Alliance, a teaching hospital for Harvard. The need for a center specializing in headaches was proven within days of opening its doors: telephone calls from migraine sufferers came from all over the country and the world.

Dr. Bernstein has also written a book called “The Migraine Brain” which you can find a link to under

“Recommended Books and DVDs” on the top of this page.

Remember to see your provider if you think you suffer from migraines.