The patient guide “Successfully against headaches and migraines” by Prof. Hartmut Göbel will be published in October 2009 in its fully updated 5th editiongobel-successfully-against-headaches-and-migraines-5th-edition-20101

Chin up – because you can do something yourself to combat headaches and migraines!

  • Identify causes and connections
  • Take advantage of the new prevention options
  • Learn how to successfully manage headaches and migraines

Professor Dr. Hartmut Göbel informs you about:

  • Types and causes of headaches and migraines
  • Modern diagnostic options
  • Modern strategies for prevention
  • Current medications
  • Alternative treatment methods

Compiled for you:

  • Addresses of self-help groups and clinics
  • New medications, their mechanism of action, side effects and tips on how to take them
  • Checklists, headache diaries and pain questionnaires for targeted diagnosis and treatment

What's new in the 5th edition? For example:

  • The 5th edition of Germany's most successful patient guide clearly explains the latest developments in headache prevention and treatment. The causes of headaches are described in an easy-to-understand way. The focus is on eliminating these causes, targeted prevention, and self-help strategies for headaches and migraines.
  • This is a topic that affects everyone. Headaches are a widespread ailment; in Germany alone, more than 54 million people suffer from them. Headache medications are among the most frequently used drugs. You either experience headaches yourself, or you know someone who suffers from them.
  • The 5th edition, based on practical experience from treating patients at a supraregional headache center, provides up-to-date knowledge for the immediate care of severely affected migraine and headache patients. Current research findings are made readily available for practical application. Readers will learn what happens in the body during headaches and migraine attacks, how they can prevent headaches through behavioral adjustments, what headache treatment options exist for children, and how headaches can be treated safely and effectively in specific life situations, particularly during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menstruation.
  • Headache science has developed into one of the most successful and fascinating fields in medicine in recent years. The genetic basis for headache disorders is now better understood. Its significance for the practical prevention and treatment of headaches is explained clearly and practically.
  • Current research has led to entirely new drug treatment options. There are now over 22 described applications of specific migraine medications for the treatment of migraine attacks. These are described in a practical manner.
  • The latest options in attack therapy are the so-called CGRP receptor blockers. These allow for targeted treatment of migraine attacks without vasoconstriction. The current research findings and potential applications are presented for the first time.
  • The new headache classification distinguishes numerous new headache types that can be treated specifically. Examples include chronic migraine and sleep-related headache. These special forms require specific and new therapeutic measures. The current and modern treatment options are discussed in detail.
  • Controversial treatment methods, such as migraine surgery or certain stimulation procedures for cluster headaches, are described and the scientific data is examined in a contemporary manner.
  • The new edition places a strong emphasis on the practical application of current knowledge. In particular, it outlines new healthcare structures, such as the nationwide headache treatment network, for the care of headache patients. Those suffering from migraine headaches primarily seek a competent point of contact. This book shows how to find one.
  • Unconventional treatment methods and their significance, as well as possibilities and limitations, are also presented according to the latest state of knowledge.
  • In addition, addresses of self-help groups and clinics, information on the effectiveness of treatment options, checklists, headache diaries and pain questionnaires for targeted diagnosis and treatment are compiled.
  • For the first time, this new edition provides readers with up-to-date online service materials. Pain questionnaires, pain diaries, checklists, and other service materials can be downloaded there for individual use.

From the preface to the 5th edition

The treatment of headaches has developed into one of the most successful and fascinating fields of medicine in recent years. Many causes of headaches have been uncovered, and the mechanisms that maintain and worsen them are now understood in greater detail. Headaches can now be classified and diagnosed very precisely. Currently, over 250 main types of headaches are distinguished. This is beneficial because most types of headaches can be treated very precisely and with specialized techniques. For widespread headache types, especially migraines and tension-type headaches, prevention through behavioral adjustments, knowledge, and information plays a crucial role. Without understanding the underlying causes that lead to, maintain, and complicate headaches, successful and sustainable headache treatment is impossible. Furthermore, new and innovative medications are now available to headache patients. When used appropriately, these can also contribute significantly to the improvement of headaches.

However, up-to-date and modern knowledge must also be made directly available to those affected. In recent years, entirely new ideas have emerged regarding how patients with headaches can be cared for in a modern and effective way in the future. New care structures, such as the nationwide headache treatment network, have been developed. These enable the rapid provision of current knowledge for better and more sustainable treatment of those affected. Networking and interdisciplinary collaboration are essential foundations for success in coordinated care. Health insurance companies and health policymakers have placed the importance of headaches at the center of their activities. New, interconnected organizational structures have been established to alleviate pain and reduce costs for those affected. A significant force for improving care also comes from the patients themselves. They exchange information in self-help groups and online forums and advocate for better care for migraines and headaches. All of this has led to headaches and migraines being treated more successfully today than ever before in human history.

read the foreword and table of contents

List price: EUR 22.95; Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg New York:
ISBN 978-3-642-01264-8.
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ISBN-13 978-3-642-01264-8
5th edition 2010 Springer Medizin Verlag Heidelberg

ISBN 3-540-40777-4
4th edition 2004 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg New York

Bibliographic information from the German National Library:
The German National Library lists this publication in the German National Bibliography; detailed bibliographic data can be accessed on the Internet at http://dnb.d-nb.de.

Springer Medizin Verlag Heidelberg 1994, 1998, 2002, 2004, 2010