No abstract

The key to successful migraine management is to provide the most effective treatment at the earliest possible time. Under the step-care approach to migraine management, the mildest and most conservative treatment was recommended as a first step, without regard for the degree of the patient's pain or disability. This approach has been replaced by stratified care, in which migraine management is based on the severity of the patient's pain and disability. Under the stratified approach, patients with moderate or severe migraine would be prescribed effective migraine-specific drugs, such as the triptans, as first-line therapy.

No abstract

This article highlights information from the 2000 National Conference for Nurse Practitioners symposium held in Washington, D.C., on November 9, 2000. It was sponsored by The Nursing Institute of Springhouse Corporation and funded by an unrestricted educational grant from Merck & Co., Inc. The firsttopic, "Overview of Migraine: Compelling Effects on Patients and Society," was presented for Dedie Downey Russell, CNP, ANP/GNP, MS. The second topic, "Understanding Pathophysiology: Evolving from Traditional to Current Therapeutic Options," was presented by Dara G. Jamieson, MD. Maureen Moriarty-Sheehan, MS, CRNP, who also served as chairperson, presented the third topic, "Developing a Management Plan for Optimal Patient Benefit."