ABSTRACT
Given its prevalence, impact, and associated disability, migraine remains surprisingly underdiagnosed and under-recognized throughout the world (1-4). In the United States, 50% or more of sufferers with migraine in the population do not receive proper diagnosis. Because the hallmark of successful treatment is proper diagnosis, sufferers are undertreated as well (5). Some of the reasons for under-recognition relates to the uniqueness of migraine itself. Migraine is both a disease and an episodic disruption of nervous system function. If episodes occur infrequently, are not severe, or are easily self-treated, migraine may not warrant a medical diagnosis and treatment.
