Rebound headaches (medication-overuse headaches) are caused by regular, long-term use of medication to treat headaches, such as migraine. Pain relievers offer relief for occasional headaches. But if you take them more than a couple of days a week, they may trigger rebound headaches.
It appears that any medication taken for pain relief can cause rebound headaches, but only if you already have a headache disorder. Pain relievers taken regularly for another condition, such as arthritis, have not been shown to cause rebound headaches in people who never had a headache disorder.
Rebound headaches usually stop when you stop taking the pain medication. It's tough in the short term, but your doctor can help you beat rebound headaches for long-term relief.
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
Signs and symptoms of rebound headaches may differ according to the type of original headache being treated and the medication used. Rebound headaches tend to:
Other signs and symptoms may include:
Occasional headaches are common. But it's important to take your headaches seriously. Some types of headaches can be life-threatening.
Seek immediate medical care if your headache:
Consult your doctor if:
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
Rebound headaches can develop if you frequently use headache medication. Although the risk of developing medication-overuse headache varies depending on the medication, any acute headache medication has the potential to lead to rebound headaches, including:
Combination pain relievers. Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers that combine caffeine, aspirin and acetaminophen (Excedrin, others) are common culprits. This group also includes prescription medications such as Fiorinal, which contains the sedative butalbital.
Butalbital-containing compounds have an especially high risk of causing rebound headaches, so it's best not to take them to treat headaches. If you do take this type of drug, limit its use to no more than four days a month.
Combination pain relievers. Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers that combine caffeine, aspirin and acetaminophen (Excedrin, others) are common culprits. This group also includes prescription medications such as Fiorinal, which contains the sedative butalbital.
Butalbital-containing compounds have an especially high risk of causing rebound headaches, so it's best not to take them to treat headaches. If you do take this type of drug, limit its use to no more than four days a month.
Daily doses of caffeine — from your morning coffee, your afternoon soda, and pain relievers and other products containing this mild stimulant — may fuel rebound headaches, as well. Read product labels to make sure you're not wiring your system with more caffeine than you realize.
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
The diagnosis of rebound headache usually is based on a history of chronic headache and frequent use of medication. Testing usually isn't necessary.
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
To help prevent rebound headaches:
Taking care of yourself can help prevent most headaches.
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
For many people, complementary or alternative therapies offer relief from headache pain. However, not all complementary or alternative therapies have been studied as headache treatments, and others need further research.
Discuss the risks and benefits of complementary therapy with your doctor.
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
You may find it helpful to talk to other people who've been through the same experience you're having. Ask your doctor if there are support groups in your area, or contact the National Headache Foundation at www.headaches.org or 888-643-5552.
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
Risk factors for developing rebound headaches include:
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
We respect your privacy and aim for the best website experience in compliance with local laws. Allowing cookies enables a tailored experience, while disabling them may reduce personalization. For more information, please read our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.