Migraine Headache Glossary of Terms
The following are health and medical definitions of terms that appear in the Migraine Headache article.
Abnormal: Outside the expected norm, or uncharacteristic of a particular patient. Abortive: Tending to cut short the course of a disease, as in abortive polio (polio cut sh... See the entire definition of AbortiveAcetaminophen: A nonaspirin pain reliever or analgesic. Acetaminophen may be given alone t... See the entire definition of AcetaminophenAmitriptyline: An antidepressant medication. In some patients with depression, abnormal l... See the entire definition of AmitriptylineAntidepressants: Anything, and especially a drug, used to prevent or treat depression. Antihistamines: Drugs that combat the histamine released during an allergic reaction by bl... See the entire definition of AntihistaminesArthritis: Inflammation of a joint. When joints are inflamed they can develop stiffness, w... See the entire definition of ArthritisAspirin: Once the Bayer trademark for acetylsalicylic acid, now the common name for this a... See the entire definition of AspirinAura: A sensation perceived by a patient that precedes a condition affecting the brain. An... See the entire definition of AuraBiofeedback: A method of treatment that uses a monitor to measure patients' physiologic in... See the entire definition of BiofeedbackBirth control: Birth control is the use of any practices, methods, or devices to prevent p... See the entire definition of Birth controlBlind: 1. Unable to see. Without part or all of the sense of sight. Blood pressure: The blood pressure is the pressure of the blood within the arteries. It is... See the entire definition of Blood pressureBotox: A highly purified preparation of botulinum toxin A, a toxin produced by the bacteri... See the entire definition of BotoxBotulinum toxin: A toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum that is th... See the entire definition of Botulinum toxin
Brain: The portion of the central nervous system that is located within the skull. It func... See the entire definition of BrainCaffeine: A stimulant compound found naturally in coffee, tea, cocoa (chocolate), and kola... See the entire definition of CaffeineCalcium: A mineral found mainly in the hard part of bones, where it is stored. Calcium is ... See the entire definition of CalciumChronic: In medicine, lasting a long time. A chronic condition is one that lasts 3 months ... See the entire definition of ChronicCluster: In epidemiology, an aggregation of cases of a disease or another health-related c... See the entire definition of ClusterCluster headache: A distinctive episodic syndrome of headaches. The most common cluster he... See the entire definition of Cluster headacheCompress: Cloth or another material applied under pressure to an area of the skin and held... See the entire definition of CompressCT scan: Computerized tomography scan. Pictures of structures within the body created by a... See the entire definition of CT scanDiagnosis: 1 The nature of a disease; the identification of an illness. 2 A ... See the entire definition of DiagnosisDopamine: An important neurotransmitter (messenger) in the brain. Elavil: See: Amitriptyline. Emergency department: The department of a hospital responsible for the provision of medica... See the entire definition of Emergency departmentEstrogen: A female steroid hormone that is produced by the ovaries and, in lesser amounts,... See the entire definition of EstrogenFatigue: A condition characterized by a lessened capacity for work and reduced efficiency ... See the entire definition of FatigueFDA: Food and Drug Administration.
Fever: Although a fever technically is any body temperature above the normal of 98.6 degr... See the entire definition of FeverHeadache: A pain in the head with the pain being above the eyes or the ears, behind the he... See the entire definition of HeadacheHigh blood pressure: A repeatedly elevated blood pressure exceeding 140 over 90 mmHg. Chro... See the entire definition of High blood pressureHistamine: A substance that plays a major role in many allergic reactions, dilating blood ... See the entire definition of HistamineHistamine cephalalgia: A distinctive syndrome of headaches, also known as cluster head... See the entire definition of Histamine cephalalgiaIbuprofen: A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is commonly used to treat pa... See the entire definition of IbuprofenImitrex: Brand name for sumatriptan, a triptan drug for the treatment of migraine. Infection: The invasion and multiplication of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, an... See the entire definition of InfectionInflammation: A localized reaction that produces redness, warmth, swelling, and pain as a ... See the entire definition of InflammationLiver: The largest solid organ in the body, situated in the upper part of the abdomen on t... See the entire definition of LiverLumbar: Referring to the five lumbar vertebrae, the disks below them, and the correspondin... See the entire definition of LumbarLumbar puncture: A procedure in which cerebrospinal fluid is removed from the spinal canal... See the entire definition of Lumbar punctureMeningitis: Inflammation of the meninges, the three membranes that envelop the brain and t... See the entire definition of MeningitisMenstruation: The periodic blood that flows as a discharge from the uterus. Also called me... See the entire definition of MenstruationMigraine: Usually, periodic attacks of headaches on one or both sides of the head. These ... See the entire definition of Migraine
Migraine aura: A sensory phenomenon that may occur before a migraine. Visual auras may inc... See the entire definition of Migraine auraMigraine headache: The most common type of vascular headache involving abnormal sensitivit... See the entire definition of Migraine headacheMigraineur: A person who has migraine headache. Borrowed from the French. Motor: Something that produces or refers to motion. For example, a motor neuron is a nerve... See the entire definition of MotorMRI: Magnetic resonance imaging. Muscle: Muscle is the tissue of the body which primarily functions as a source of power. T... See the entire definition of MuscleNarcotic: 1. A drug that causes insensibility or stupor. A narcotic induces narcosi... See the entire definition of NarcoticNasal: Having to do with the nose. Nausea: Stomach queasiness, the urge to vomit. Nausea can be brought on by many causes, in... See the entire definition of NauseaNeck: The part of the body joining the head to the shoulders. Also, any narrow or constric... See the entire definition of NeckNeuralgia: Pain along the course of a nerve. Neurological: Having to do with the nerves or the nervous system as, for example, a neurol... See the entire definition of NeurologicalOnset: In medicine, the first appearance of the signs or symptoms of an illness as, for ex... See the entire definition of OnsetPain: An unpleasant sensation that can range from mild, localized discomfort to agony. Pa... See the entire definition of PainParalysis: Loss of voluntary movement (motor function). Paralysis that affects only one mu... See the entire definition of Paralysis
Pharmacist: A professional who fills prescriptions and, in the case of a compounding pharm... See the entire definition of PharmacistPhotophobia: Painful oversensitivity to light. For example, photophobia is often seen in m... See the entire definition of PhotophobiaPrescription: A physician's order for the preparation and administration of a drug or dev... See the entire definition of PrescriptionPrognosis: The forecast of the probable outcome or course of a disease; the patient's chan... See the entire definition of PrognosisProgressive: Increasing in scope or severity, advancing, or going forward. For example, a ... See the entire definition of ProgressiveRule out: Term used in medicine, meaning to eliminate or exclude something from considera... See the entire definition of Rule outScan: As a noun, the data or image obtained from the examination of organs or regions of... See the entire definition of ScanSeizure: Uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain, which may produce a physical conv... See the entire definition of SeizureSensation: In medicine and physiology, sensation refers to the registration of an incoming... See the entire definition of SensationSensory: Relating to sensation, to the perception of a stimulus, to the voyage made by inc... See the entire definition of SensorySerotonin: A neurotransmitter that is involved in the transmission of nerve impulses. Sero... See the entire definition of SerotoninSleep: The body's rest cycle. Sphenopalatine neuralgia: A distinctive syndrome of headaches, better known today as clust... See the entire definition of Sphenopalatine neuralgiaSpinal tap: Also known as a lumbar puncture or "LP", a spinal tap is a procedure whereby ... See the entire definition of Spinal TapStage: As regards cancer, the extent of a cancer, especially whether the disease has spre... See the entire definition of Stage
Stomach: The digestive organ that is located in the upper abdomen, under the ribs. The upp... See the entire definition of StomachStress: In a medical or biological context stress is a physical, mental, or emotional fact... See the entire definition of StressStroke: The sudden death of brain cells due to lack of oxygen, caused by blockage of blood... See the entire definition of StrokeSumatriptan: A triptan drug for the treatment of migraine. Marketed under the brand name I... See the entire definition of SumatriptanSyndrome: A combination of symptoms and signs that together represent a disease process. Taste: A perception that results from stimulation of a gustatory nerve. Taste belongs to t... See the entire definition of TasteTension: 1) The pressure within a vessel, such as blood pressure: the pressure within t... See the entire definition of TensionTherapy: The treatment of disease. Therapy is synonymous with treatment. Thigh: The thick, muscular portion of the leg that extends from the hip to the knee. The t... See the entire definition of ThighTongue: A strong muscle that is anchored to the floor of the mouth. The tongue is covered ... See the entire definition of TongueToxin: A poison produced by certain animals, plants, or bacteria. Trauma: A physical or emotional injury. Trigger: Something that either sets off a disease in people who are genetically predispose... See the entire definition of TriggerTriptan: A class of drugs introduced in the 1990s for the treatment of migraine that act a... See the entire definition of TriptanTumor: An abnormal mass of tissue. Tumors are a classic sign of inflammation, and can be ... See the entire definition of Tumor
Tylenol: See: Acetaminophen. Vascular: Relating to blood vessels. For example, the vascular system in the body includes... See the entire definition of VascularVascular headache: A group of headaches felt to involve abnormal sensitivity of the blood ... See the entire definition of Vascular headacheVessel: A tube in the body that carries fluids. Examples of vessels are blood vessels and ... See the entire definition of VesselVisual field: The entire area that can be seen when the eye is directed forward, including... See the entire definition of Visual fieldVomit: Matter from the stomach that has come up into and may be ejected beyond the mouth, ... See the entire definition of VomitZolmitriptan: A triptan drug for the treatment of migraine. Marketed under the brand name ... See the entire definition of ZolmitriptanZomig: Brand name for zolmitriptan, a triptan drug for the treatment of migraine.
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