Rebound Headache - Stop The Cycle


You've been getting headaches. Finally, you find some medications that are making a difference. You're headaches are almost all gone - but wait - they're coming back! They're getting worse! The painkillers aren't doing the job they used to do. What's going on?

You may be a victim of "rebound headache". Rebound headache is a common problem. It happens when you start trying to fight off headaches, and they start fighting back. What's often happening in rebound headache is that the very drugs that used to solve the problem are actually making things worse. If you start taking the drugs on a regular basis, your body actually gets used to the medication and starts to crave it when it's not there. Then the headaches get worse, so you take more drugs. The cycle goes on.

If you're suffering from a mild headache almost every day, you may have rebound headache. If you're taking pain relievers every 2-3 days, that's a sign that you're caught in the cycle. You may find that 3-4 hours after taking the drugs the headache gets even worse, or you may start waking up with headache.

How can you avoid getting caught in this trap?

The Mayo Clinic reports that the pills most likely to cause rebound headache are drugs with a combination of ingredients, such as drugs that include combinations of caffeine, aspirin and acetaminophen, and migraine drugs like ergotamines and triptans (eg Imitrex). If you're taking a lot of painkillers, see your doctor and try to treat the problem. There may be newer and better treatments available.

Also, be sure you have at least two days that are drug-free between every day when you're taking painkillers. Some doctors suggest that you take no more than 10 doses a month. If you're taking much more than that, see a good doctor and look for other solutions.

But what if you're already dealing with rebound headache?

Though it may be hard to believe, you may actually be better off with no drugs at all. Many doctors suggest going cold turkey. You may need medical help to be able to get out of the cycle. The sooner you can get that help the better.

You can try cutting down over a couple of months. Be sure to keep track of exactly what you're taking. First, go a day without drugs, then two days between every day with drugs. You'll likely notice an increase in headaches at first, but keep at it! Things will get much better.

If things aren't better after a few weeks, or you're having trouble cutting down, see a doctor right away. Make sure there isn't another damaging problem causing the headaches. It's not worth the suffering - there is lots of help available if you ask for it!

Rebound headache can be painful and debilitating. Don't let it control your life. This article is for your information, but should never replace a trip to the doctor. If you have any kind of new headache, or if things are getting worse, you could experience permanent problems if you don't seek help.

Things can get better! Many people before you have gotten out of the cycle and have seen their headaches diminish and even vanish. All the best in your fight to be headache free!

James Cottrill is a headache sufferer and health writer at http://www.Relieve-Migraine-Headache.com. He lives with his wife and two children in the shadow of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. For more on rebound headache, visit http://www.Relieve-Migraine-Headache.com/rebound


MORE RESOURCES:

National Academy of Sports Medicine Launches New Course ...
MarketWatch - 19 hours ago
CALABASAS, CA, Nov 21, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM; www.nasm.org), a leader in fitness training ...


guardian.co.uk

Detroit prepares to swallow some bitter medicine
Financial Times, UK - 6 hours ago
By Bernard Simon in Los Angeles Among the many conditions imposed on Chrysler by Washington in the bail-out of 1979, none is said to have angered the ...
The wrong medicine TheDay
all 697 news articles


University of South Alabama College of Medicine Chooses MDaudit(TM)
MarketWatch - 13 hours ago
... WIRE) -- Hayes Management Consulting announced today that it will provide its MDaudit(TM) software to University of South Alabama College of Medicine. ...


MinuteClinic co-founder launches e-medicine startup
Bizjournals.com, NC - 6 hours ago
Nearly a decade after he came up with the idea that became MinuteClinic, Rick Krieger thinks he’s come across a new way to change health care. ...


Boston Globe (registration)

Auto bailout: The best medicine?
Florida Times-Union, FL - 2 hours ago
By The Times-Union They already received $25 billion in low interest government loans intended to help them transition to a new generation of fuel efficient ...
American taxpayers should not be forced to bailout Big Three Statesville Record & Landmark
Detroit bailout? No way! The Oregonian - OregonLive.com
Bailing Out the Automakers CounterPunch
all 575 news articles


eFluxMedia

Three Employees Fired After Patient Chokes on Medicine, Dies
FOXNews - Nov 20, 2008
GOLDSBORO, NC — North Carolina officials have fired three employees and disciplined others in the death of a patient who was neglected for more than 22 ...
Firings a good first step in neglect case CharlotteObserver.com
all 39 news articles


Entry Level Finding Ways to Help Children With Cancer
New York Times, United States - 15 hours ago
She comes to the job with a master’s degree in Oriental medicine from Touro College and a lifelong love of cooking. On doing acupuncture on small children: ...


PR Web (press release)

BodyLogicMD Sponsors American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine
MarketWatch - Nov 20, 2008
"It is a natural step for BodyLogicMD in terms of demonstrating our growth and support in the field of anti-aging medicine and bioidentical hormone therapy. ...
BodyLogicMD Opens Bioidentical Hormone Therapy Location in Chicago PR Web (press release)
all 12 news articles


Tongjitang Chinese Medicines Company to Announce Third Quarter ...
FOXBusiness - 14 hours ago
Tongjitang Chinese Medicines Company, through its operating subsidiaries Tongjitang Pharmaceutical, Tongjitang Distribution, Tongjitang Chain Stores, ...


Research and Markets: This Global Research Report in Medicine and ...
MarketWatch - Nov 19, 2008
Nanomaterials, nanophotonics, nanoelectronics and nanoscience in medicine & biology represent the largest concentration of R&D. ...

Medicine - Google News

home | site map
© 2006