by Mark Green , MD , Guest Reviewer book review
Doctor Seymour Diamond , the Executive Chairman of the National Headache Foundation , generously shares his professional and personal life experience in the field of headache treatment and research in this lively conversation-based memoir . His life story unfolds naturally , interwoven with the milestones in headache diagnosis and treatment for the past half century . When headache medicine began as a recognized scientific field , no single medical specialty took ownership . Neurologists appeared most interested in diagnosis but there was little information about treatment . With his background in primary care , Dr . Diamond was wellsuited to become a pioneer in headache managment .
Throughout his life , Dr . Diamond demonstrates tremendous energy and strength of character to meet the challenges inherent in developing headache management as a medical specialty . What comes across clearly in this chronicle is his focus on the patient : establishing a relationship , quality of care , communication , and education . His career achieves the establishment of the National Headache Foundation as a key organization for headache sufferers , and the creation of the Diamond Headache Clinic as the first multidisciplinary patient oriented continuity-type practice with an available acute inpatient hospital unit .
The National Headache Foundation ’ s role in funding research and education has been a great source of satisfaction to Dr . Diamond . These endeavors are diverse and include grants for clinical studies as well as sponsored travel to educational meetings for providers training in headache medicine .
His experience in medicine is rich and varied with a background in family practice , training in neurosurgery , and a preceptorship in neurology . Participation in headache research and clinical studies involving drugs to treat headache sufferers grows naturally from his interest in patient care . This interest leads to a groundbreaking open-label study on tricyclic antidepressants for headache patients during the 1960s as well as studies on the use of the beta blocker , propranolol ,
for migraine prevention . The use of the antidepressants and beta blockers remain standards for migraine prevention .
Through engaging anecdotes of interactions with patients , famous headache physicians , the media , and numerous world travels to educate the public about headache , the narrative reveals the experiences that impacted on this established expert in his field . Family portraits and the meaningful relationships built over many years with friends and colleagues are featured as well . His career includes many honors and awards including an appointment in 1981 as Executive Officer of the Migraine and Headache Research Group of the World Federation of Neurology . His publications include the first comprehensive book about headache for the consumer , More Than Two Aspirin : Hope for Your Headache Problem , and his manual for clinicians , The Practicing Physician ’ s Approach to Headache . Of note in this publication , he provides information for continuing patient care beyond intervention on a one-time basis .
His accomplishments are balanced by descriptions of the difficult times in his personal and professional life . He has met these challenges with his characteristic tenacious attitude and problem-solving solutions . Currently , he has retired from medical practice and continues to work at the National Headache Foundation . Dr . Diamond ’ s legacy includes the establishment of a headache fellowship in his name by Doctor Jose Biller in the Department of Neurology at Loyola University of Chicago / Stritch School of Medicine in 2010 .
This book will be of great interest to anyone trying to understand headache medicine from an historical perspective . Readers with or without a medical background will find the writing style easily accessible . HW
This book is available for purchase on Amazon . com
MARK W GREEN , MD , is Professor of Neurology , Anesthesiology , and Rehabilitation Medicine Director of Headache and Pain Medicine , Icahn School of Medicine Mount Sinai New York , NY
www . headaches . org | National Headache Foundation 9