This small volume is actually a comprehensive reference resource about headache and its treatment. Drs. Rapoport and Sheftell describe in great detail the various types of headache -- including migraine and its many variants, tension-type headache, cluster headache, rebound headache, chronic daily headache, and other headaches such as those due to eye strain, chronic sinusitis, and other medical conditions. Although they reassure readers that most headaches are benign, they also very clearly describe situations in which a headache may be a sign of something serious or life threatening.

For those who wonder why they get headaches, the authors review current theories and relate them to why certain classes of medication appear to work on certain types of headaches. They also describe pharmaceutical and nonpharmaceutical treatments for headaches as well as outpatient and hospital treatment.

The headache calendar, key to Dr. Rapoport's and Dr. Sheftell's approach to headache management, is discussed in depth, and readers receive detailed information as to how to begin one and how to interpret it.

The text is richly supplemented with tables such as those on food triggers, hidden sources of monosodium glutamate, foods that contain caffeine, medications that may induce headache, and more.

This book belongs in the library of every headache sufferer who seeks increased understanding of headache treatment and control.