We frequently take analgesic medicine to relieve headache.
Paradoxically these very medications that we take to relieve headache
may be responsible for headache. Such type of headaches are called
rebound headache.
Rebound headache is likely to occur when the patient ignores to take medicine for headache as directed. People gulp over-the-counter pain relievers too frequently. In a week or in a day, they may be taking it many times. To an extent, the medicines are beneficial in relieving headaches, but the same medicines can worsen headache if it is overused or abused.
The frequency of rebound headaches may depend on the type of medicine consumed and the dose of the overused drug.
Simple analgesics particularly those combined with an opiate (codeine) or barbiturates or paracetamol and aspirin with caffeine may cause rebound headaches. Often ergotamine and caffeine are responsible for such headaches. The pain may persist throughout the day. It is dull and diffuse. Complete withdrawal of analgesic is the only effective treatment.
It alters the pain perception pathway in the brain.
The other concomitant symptoms together with headache include neck pain, anxiety, nervousness, sleeplessness, difficulty in concentration, irritation etc.
It is not easy for the patient to stop the medicine abruptly. His headache may become worse initially. He may have withdrawal symptoms such as nervousness, vomiting, constipation etc. They may last for a week or two. It is more common with people taking sedatives, hypnotics, or patient taking combination pills for headaches.
At times, when patient is unable to control himself from taking headache medicine, he may require hospitalization. Under proper medical supervision, treatment can be planned to detoxify his system. During detoxification process, the patient may suffer from severe headache. He may require continuous monitoring by an expert.
Patient may also need cognitive behavioral therapy.
Alternative treatments are beneficial for many patients. Acupuncture, massage therapy and herbs such as feverfew and butterbur are found to be effective.
Source: tandurust
Rebound headache is likely to occur when the patient ignores to take medicine for headache as directed. People gulp over-the-counter pain relievers too frequently. In a week or in a day, they may be taking it many times. To an extent, the medicines are beneficial in relieving headaches, but the same medicines can worsen headache if it is overused or abused.
The frequency of rebound headaches may depend on the type of medicine consumed and the dose of the overused drug.
Simple analgesics particularly those combined with an opiate (codeine) or barbiturates or paracetamol and aspirin with caffeine may cause rebound headaches. Often ergotamine and caffeine are responsible for such headaches. The pain may persist throughout the day. It is dull and diffuse. Complete withdrawal of analgesic is the only effective treatment.
Causes Of Rebound Headaches
The reason behind rebound headaches is not exactly known. Scientists postulate it that analgesics and pain relievers are responsible for rebound headaches.It alters the pain perception pathway in the brain.
- Commonly used analgesics when consumed frequently and in large amounts can trigger rebound headaches. These include simple pain medicines which are so common such as acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.
- Pain relievers which are available in combination are generally responsible for rebound headaches. This includes caffeine, paracetamol and aspirin.
- Person having history of chronic headaches, migraine, and who take analgesics frequently are at greater risk of suffering from rebound headaches.
- The risk also increases with ergot preparation taken more than 10 days in a month. Same is the case with simple analgesics taken for more than two weeks.
Rebound Headaches Symptoms
Rebound headache usually appears as the patient gets up from his sleep. It is more in early morning. Headache persists throughout the day. It is like “all day, every day headache”. As soon as the patient takes pain relieving medicine, he feels better. However, as soon as the effect of medicine tapers, he begins to experience headache which may be more intense. Headache may become worse with any physical or mental work.The other concomitant symptoms together with headache include neck pain, anxiety, nervousness, sleeplessness, difficulty in concentration, irritation etc.
How To Cure Rebound Headaches?
Initially it is difficult to treat rebound headaches. The patient needs to break the cycle of taking pain medicine. Depending on the type of medicine that the patient takes to alleviate headaches, the health care provider may suggest to completely stop the medicine or to reduce it gradually.It is not easy for the patient to stop the medicine abruptly. His headache may become worse initially. He may have withdrawal symptoms such as nervousness, vomiting, constipation etc. They may last for a week or two. It is more common with people taking sedatives, hypnotics, or patient taking combination pills for headaches.
At times, when patient is unable to control himself from taking headache medicine, he may require hospitalization. Under proper medical supervision, treatment can be planned to detoxify his system. During detoxification process, the patient may suffer from severe headache. He may require continuous monitoring by an expert.
Patient may also need cognitive behavioral therapy.
Alternative treatments are beneficial for many patients. Acupuncture, massage therapy and herbs such as feverfew and butterbur are found to be effective.
Source: tandurust
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