Baylor Dallas News

Baylor Neuroscience Center's New Headache Center to Host Seminar on Coping With Migraines, Other Headaches

(DALLAS, TEXAS, Dec. 1, 2009) – Sleep routines disrupted by travel, the added stress of checking your list and checking it twice, and holiday parties featuring alcohol and tables laden with trigger foods, can help form the perfect storm for problem headache and migraine sufferers during the holidays. With more than 45 million people in the United States suffering chronic headaches, according to the American College of Physicians, and nearly 30 million of those affected by migraines, there can be a lot of “bah-humbug” to go around.

However, headache sufferers don’t have to succumb to the misery of migraines -- during the holidays or any time throughout the year, according to Stuart Black, M.D., F.A.A.N., chief of neurology at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas and co-medical director of the Baylor Neuroscience Center.

“We can design treatment plans for patients today that address not only their headaches but also any behavioral or emotional issues associated with chronic pain,” said Dr. Black.

Surprisingly, more than half of migraine sufferers have never received a medical diagnosis of migraine, according to a 2002 study published in Neurology.

“An accurate diagnosis is the first step to the successful treatment of migraines, as well as other kinds of headaches,” said Dr. Black.

Baylor Neuroscience Center’s new Headache Center will share the latest information on headache diagnosis and treatment, and offer practical advice for coping with the pain at a free seminar from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 17. Dr. Anwarul Haq, a neurologist who specializes in headache medicine and serves as medical director of the Headache Center, will speak at the seminar, which will be held at the Doubletree Hotel Dallas--Campbell Centre located at 8250 N. Central Expressway. Reservations can be made by calling 1.800.4BAYLOR.

“New medications, those that prevent headaches as well as stop headaches, along with pro-active preventive strategies are helping more headache sufferers successfully beat the pain than ever before,” said Dr. Haq.

The Headache Center at Baylor Dallas is one of only a few multi-disciplinary headache programs in Texas that provides diagnosis and treatment to help people who experience severe headaches regain a better quality of life. Patients at the center receive care from a multi-disciplinary team that brings together neurologists who sub-specialize in headache medicine with the Baylor Dallas departments of Neuropsychology for behavioral medicine, Pain Management and Pharmacy. This integrated approach provides the basis for developing an effective, individualized treatment plan based on each patient’s needs.

For more information about the Headache Center or to make an appointment, call 214.820.4655 or 1.800.4BAYLOR.