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Glossary

As you research migraine headaches and discus them with your health care provider you may encounter many medical terms that may complicate your understanding. Learning to communicate using these new words will increase the efficiency an accuracy of your interactions.
Atherosclerosis
A definition of atherosclerosis.
Abortive Treatments
Abortive treatments are used once a migraine develops.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is an over-the-counter medication commonly used in the treatment of pain due to headaches.
Analgesic
A definition of the term analgesic.
Anaphylaxis
A definition of the term anaphylaxis
Antipyretic
A definition of the term antipyretic
Aura
Migraines are often preceded by an aura, a visual disturbance that can signal the onset of pain.
Ayurveda
Ayurvedic medicine is a system of healing originating in India, but now practiced worldwide.
Carcinogen
A definition of carcinogen or carcinogenic
Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) includes treatments and practices not typically thought of as mainstream or traditionally taught in U.S. medical education.
Contraindicated
A definition of contraindicated
Embolism
A definition of embolism.
Exacerbation
Exacerbation is one of the ways to categorize pain of any kind.
Hypertension
A definition of hypertension.
Hypoglycemia
A definition of hypoglycemia
Hypotension
A definition of hypotension
Indicated
A definition of indicated
Migraine Headache
A definition of migraine headaches
Phonophobia
Phonophobia is a classic symptom of migraine headaches.
Photophobia
Photophobia is a classic symptom of migraine headaches.
Preventative Treatments
Patients with chronic migraines may benefit from a regular preventative medication.
Scotoma
Scotoma is one of many visual disturbances that can occur during a migraine aura.
Thrombus
A definition of thrombus.
Tinnitus
Ringing of the ears is the simplest definition for tinnitus.
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