Yep, you’ve still got it; that headache that follows you everywhere like a shadow. You may have resigned yourself to taking pain relievers every day just to get by. But have you ever considered that the very medication you take for relief might actually be at the root of the problem?
Suffering from constant headaches (cephalgia) can become very frustrating. Headaches can affect your mood, your ability to concentrate, your performance and, especially, your level of patience. For headaches, many people turn to pain relievers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen for relief; in these circumstances, those types of medication are indeed the right treatment choice. However, if you feel the need to use them twice or three times a week, you may be at risk of falling into the trap of medication-induced headaches.
Medication-induced headaches, also known as rebound headaches, are headaches that are caused by overusing the very pain-relieving medication you take for relief. You may be suffering from rebound headaches if:
Medication-induced headaches are a bit of a vicious circle: you take medication to relieve your headache, but after some time, the very fact that you take such medication provokes headaches.
There are several different types of headaches and migraines. To treat them correctly, it is important to get a medical diagnosis first. Treating migraines must be approached differently than treating a simple headache.
If your headaches are accompanied by the following symptoms, it would be best to see your doctor to determine whether you are suffering from migraines:
If you are experiencing such symptoms, or if your headaches or migraines appear several times a week, see a doctor without delay. If you are indeed suffering from migraines, your doctor will prescribe a treatment specifically for your situation. It is common for people suffering from this problem to be given prescription medication for relief. In addition, some have to consider taking preventative measures, such as taking medication every day, to reduce the frequency and intensity of migraines.
If you suffer from rebound headaches, the only way to break the cycle is to wean yourself off pain relievers. To succeed, you will need a lot of determination; withdrawal can be difficult since headaches will worsen during this time. It can even take several weeks before the intensity of headaches returns to the same level as before.
Aside from headaches, you can also experience other withdrawal symptoms, such as, for example, anxiety, trembling, diarrhea or insomnia, which complicate and slow down the process.
If you must stop using pain relievers, don’t worry. Medication can be prescribed during the withdrawal period to ease its inconveniences; ask your doctor and pharmacist for more information. Obviously, you will need to abstain from using the medication that is causing the problem during this transition period.
Later on, you can determine, with your health professionals, an effective strategy to relieve your headaches or migraines without falling prey to overuse.
The best way to avoid medication-induced headaches is to not take pain relievers more than twice a week.
Changing certain lifestyle habits may also help you prevent headaches or migraines, and consequently, medication-induced headaches. Here are a few examples:
If you have frequent headaches, take the situation seriously. Many people who suffer from headaches and migraines don’t get the proper medical treatment. These people risk overusing pain relievers and suffering from medication-induced headaches. Your pharmacist can advise you on the optimal and safest use of pain relievers, as well as prescribed migraine medication. Ask him or her before the situation turns into a real… headache!
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