Information and opinions on health from Nancy Harris Bonk at HealthCentral.com. HealthCentral.com is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/202/index http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/202/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/202/index http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/c/202/159435/end-migraine-chapter Thu, 28 Feb 2013 16:44:00 -0500 Nancy Harris Bonk I wanted to take a moment to let you know that today will be my last day as a HealthCentral Health Guide. It has been an honor and privilege to be able to help so many people suffering with Migraine and headache disorders and I've loved every minute of it.   While I continue to be committed and passionate about Migraine and headache disorder education and advocacy, I leave this Migraine community with a heavy heart. I'll still be online... http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/c/202/159435/end-migraine-chapter http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/c/202/159387/migraine-medications-medicare Tue, 26 Feb 2013 16:45:00 -0500 Nancy Harris Bonk At the end of last year when I went to refill Midrin, the only Migraine abortive medication that works for me, I received quite a surprise. The new health insurance plan I switched to, a Medicare advantage plan, did not cover it. I made this switch due to an unbelievable increase in the monthly premium. Yes, I researched my medications before switching plans, and Midrin appeared on my new plan's drug formulary. But Medicare can and does make... http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/c/202/159387/migraine-medications-medicare http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/c/202/159252/medication-profile Thu, 21 Feb 2013 14:26:00 -0500 Nancy Harris Bonk There's a wide variety of medications used for Migraine, most of which are prescribed off-label. If Zonegran (zonisamide) has been prescribed for you, or if you and your doctor have been considering it, here's some information that should be helpful.    Type of medication:   Zonisamide, brand name Zonegran, is in a class of medications called carbonic anhydrase inhibitor anticonvulsants. Zonegran also has sulfa properties in... http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/c/202/159252/medication-profile http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/c/202/159079/famous-migraineurs Tue, 12 Feb 2013 15:33:00 -0500 Nancy Harris Bonk Whether we like it or not, there is a strong stigma surrounding Migraine. In fact, there is more stigma attached to Migraine then there is to epilepsy. Teri explained this in a recent study she wrote about in this article; Migraine Incurs More Stigma than Epilepsy: Study. In order to combat this stigma, I've had many conversations with patient advocates that Migraine needs a national spokesperson, someone like Michael J. Fox. A person of... http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/c/202/159079/famous-migraineurs http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/c/202/158971/usage-medication Wed, 06 Feb 2013 15:37:00 -0500 Nancy Harris Bonk Migraine attacks can be so disabling, they often interfere with every aspect of a patient's life. Many times people with Migraine have a difficult time finding the right Migraine preventive regime and staying on it. To complicate matters, there's an abundance of medications that can be used for Migraine prevention, on and off-label, all in different drug classes that may add to the confusion.   The Second International Burden of Migraine... http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/c/202/158971/usage-medication http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/c/202/158826/migraines-triggers Tue, 29 Jan 2013 11:20:00 -0500 Nancy Harris Bonk We have numerous conversations on our site about Migraine and sleep issues. Teri and I answer many questions regarding this topic and often find ourselves suggesting that people who find themselves waking with Migraine and/or headache look into having a sleep study done. Many are surprised when they hear how important sleep is to a Migraineur. Disrupted sleeping patterns such as sleeping too much or too little, or not maintaining a regular sleep... http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/c/202/158826/migraines-triggers http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/c/202/158691/troublesome Wed, 23 Jan 2013 16:10:00 -0500 Nancy Harris Bonk A vital piece of a good Migraine management plan is being able to identify and manage triggers. Research has shown that more than 50% of people who have Migraine with aura (MA) are typically able identify one trigger that will consistently or near consistently bring on a Migraine attack. A small study, MigraineTriggers May Not Be as Strong as You Think, published in the online issue of Neurology, today, January 23,... http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/c/202/158691/troublesome http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/c/202/158530/encephalopathy Tue, 15 Jan 2013 14:29:00 -0500 Nancy Harris Bonk As the numbers of current and former National Football League (NFL) players commit violent acts on others and/or take their own lives continues to rise, we just received word that 43-year-old Junior Seau, a 20-year veteran of the NFL had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Seau's family donated his brain to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) after he took his own life in May of 2012. Seau's brain was examined by five different experts,... http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/c/202/158530/encephalopathy http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/c/202/158367/clinton-cautionary Tue, 08 Jan 2013 13:33:00 -0500 Nancy Harris Bonk Some of you may be wondering what the relationship is between Mrs. Clinton's recent concussion and Migraine. We know during a Migraine attack, some of us experience dizziness. Many people also get dizzy when they have the flu, a stomach virus or even a cold. Mrs. Clinton's concussion reminds us to be careful when we feel dizzy, rise slowly from a sitting position, don't switch positions too quickly, hold something for support when walking and... http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/c/202/158367/clinton-cautionary http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/c/202/158130/famous-migraineurs Fri, 28 Dec 2012 15:34:00 -0500 Nancy Harris Bonk Virginia Woolf, an author, feminist and publisher was plagued by mental illness and Migraines throughout her life but was fortunate to be raised by an unconventional family who cared for and tolerated her lengthy periods of illness. Adeline Virginia Stephen was born in London, England on January 25, 1882 to Leslie and Julia Stephen both of whom had been previously married. Virginia's father, an author and historian was considered an eminent... http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/c/202/158130/famous-migraineurs