Stopping the vicious cycle of rebound headaches

Rebound headaches, also known as medication overuse headaches, are caused by the frequent or excessive use of pain-relieving and/or antimigraine drugs to treat headache attacks that are already in progress. (Note that these are not the same as oral prophylactic or preventive medicines, which should be taken daily.) In other words, the same medications that initially relieve headache pain can themselves trigger subsequent headaches if they are used too often. Medication overuse headaches can be disabling, forcing people with this condition to take sick leave and to be less productive at work and home.
To be diagnosed with medication overuse headaches, a person must experience headaches on more than 15 days per month for at least three months while taking pain relieving and/or antimigraine drugs. In addition to headache, other symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity, sound sensitivity, irritability, difficulty concentrating, insomnia, restlessness, and constipation.
Medication overuse headache is a common headache disorder. Approximately one to two out of every 100 people has experienced medication overuse headache in the past year. This headache is more common in women, and in people with chronic pain conditions and who have depression and anxiety.
Medication, then medication overuse headache: a vicious cycle
Pain relieving or antimigraine medications may stop headache attack when taken as needed to relieve headache. But if a person with a primary headache dis...

Source: Harvard Health Blog - November 7, 2019 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Sait Ashina, MD Tags: Drugs and Supplements Headache Health Source Type: blogs