It had to happen. The "Dummy" series of books seemed to cover every topic. Then the Complete Idiot's Guides started. With the year 2000, came The Complete Idiot's Guide to Migraines and Other Headaches. For brevity's sake, I'll simply refer to it as the "Guide" from here on out.

Don't let the title make you think this book is going to be a piece of fluff. While it's not as detailed as some volumes on headache disorders, it contains a wealth of information organized so well that even a person with a headache or Migraine can appreciate it. 

The Guide recognizes that when it comes to understanding headaches/Migraine and finding treatments, sufferers often "feel overwhelmed and under-informed." Dr. Fox and Ms. Rejaunier have teamed up to cover as much as possible in one volume. Although such an undertaking might have produced a book that was either hit-and-miss or just too voluminous for a headachy reader to face, this attempt has produced a viable product indeed. In addition to the quality of the information, the style in which it is presented makes the Guide effective. For such an unfriendly topic, the authors have achieved a surprisingly friendly and comfortable tone infused with good humor, a must for anyone who hopes to survive a headache disorder intact. My one complaint with this book is that the authors refer to Migraine as "headaches" rather than the neurological disease it is. The Guide offers information and advice on some of the topics headache sufferers discuss most.

Some outstanding features of the Guide include:

• A pull-out reference card: Ten Tips to Making the Most of Your Headache Problems on one side and Suggestions to Improve Your Headache Frequency and Severity of Pain on the Other
• Med Meaning sidebars: definitions of terms used in the text — next to where the term appears.
• Think About It sidebars: Special information worth thinking about.
• Skull and Bones sidebars: useful blurbs pointing out pitfalls to avoid
• Doc Tip sidebars: bits of advice related to specific points about medicine and headaches.
• A beyond-excellent section on Getting the Most from Your Doctor Visit
• Information on alternative therapies
• An excellent glossary of terms

Whether you suffer headaches/Migraine yourself or care about someone who does, are looking for a book for yourself or someone else, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Migraines and Other Headaches is an excellent choice. Clear, concise, accurate, and easy to read — you can't ask for more.