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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Sacks presents the argument between chaos and __________, in relation to migraines and to the universe.

2. Sacks points out that many doctors and patients are still looking for the _____________ to help with migraine pain management.

3. Throughout time, there have been theories about the contractions of _________ and how this might relate to migraines.

4. Some researchers believe that a migraine is akin to a ________, with being a release reaction to a specific situation.

5. Studies fail to prove indications of a relationship between __________ causes and migraines, so Sacks does not believe this to be a valid cause.

Short Essay Questions

1. What sort of person would be a person who can get an aggressive migraine, according to Sacks?

2. What kind of patient only needs to have a few appointments with their physician each year?

3. How does Sacks recommend a patient with nausea deal with their medication ingestion to ensure pain relief?

4. What determines the frequency with which a doctor should see their migraine patients?

5. What did Airy believe that migraine hallucinations allowed a person to do as a result of their appearance?

6. What sort of person does Sacks say is someone who might actually be self-destructive or may have a desire toward self-punishment?

7. What are some of the typical pieces of advice which Sacks might offer to a patient who is suffering from migraines?

8. What can happen with a geometrical ornamental structure, according to Fluver in this section?

9. What does Sacks say is uniquely human about the experience of migraines in humans, though he does not dispute that animals can have migraines too?

10. Where did Ralph Siegel, PhD work when he co-authored the last chapter with Oliver Sacks, according to the footnote?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choosing treatments for migraines may be just as painful a process as the headaches.

Part 1: How do you think a migraine treatment be chosen?

Part 2: Why do you think migraines are so difficult to treat?

Part 3: How do you think a person might feel if they try a treatment and it doesn't work as they want it to?

Essay Topic 2

According to this book, there doesn't seem to be a typical migraine patient that can be easily described and defined.

Part 1: Why do you think migraines can't be easily defined?

Part 2: Do you think it's easier to treat a condition that is easier to define?

Part 3: Do you think doctors will be able to categorize the migraine more easily with more research?

Essay Topic 3

Sometimes, people come up with less than conventional treatments for their pain, as described in one of the case histories of a man who used snuff to precipitate sneezing, which would make him feel better.

Part 1: Do you think that unconventional treatments are still helpful?

Part 2: Why do you think some people seek out less than conventional treatments?

Part 3: How do you feel about people who don't use medically approved treatments?

(see the answer keys)

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