When The Cure Becomes The Cause Of Illness
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Health Fitness -> subcategory Other.
When The Cure Becomes The Cause of Illness
Summary
Overusing pain relievers can lead to a cycle of medication dependency, resulting in rebound headaches. Fortunately, most patients show significant improvement after three months of being weaned off medication.
Article
Dealing with an illness is tough enough, but sometimes the remedy can be as problematic as the ailment itself. In some cases, the cure might even become the root cause of the illness.
Many people experience daily headaches for various reasons, including undiagnosed jaw disorders, genetic factors, and stress. Recent research indicates that a significant portion of headaches are caused by the medications intended to relieve them. Nearly half of all chronic migraines and up to 25% of all headaches are rebound episodes triggered by the overuse of pain medications, both prescribed and over-the-counter.
People often take too many pills for migraines or tension headaches. When the medication wears off, another headache can occur, resembling a hangover. This leads them back to the medicine cabinet, creating a cycle of headaches and over-medication.
More than three million Americans suffer from self-inflicted headaches, says Dr. Stephen D. Silberstein, professor of Neurology and director of the Jefferson Headache Center at Thomas Jefferson University. If a patient's headaches worsen or become more frequent, medication overuse is usually the culprit, according to Dr. Silberstein.
The International Headache Society has established criteria to help doctors identify and treat headaches caused by medication overuse. Warning signs include headaches occurring 15 or more days a month and heavy use of pain medications for three months or longer. Medication overuse is defined as taking pain medication for 15 or more days a month.
Dr. Robert Kunkel, a headache specialist at the Cleveland Clinic Headache Center, notes that overuse relates more to how frequently pain pills are taken than to how many are taken for a single headache. If you experience more than two headaches a week and rely on pain pills, you’re at risk.
To determine if a medication is causing headaches, it may need to be discontinued, which can take up to two months for noticeable improvement in medication-dependent patients.
Those who suffer from migraines are particularly susceptible to rebound headaches. Doctors often begin by prescribing preventive medications and gradually reducing doses of painkillers used for treatment. One approved drug for preventing migraines is topiramate (Topamax), which studies show can reduce the frequency of attacks for up to 14 months. Early trials also suggest that Botox injections in the scalp can prevent or decrease the frequency of migraines and tension headaches. Although the FDA has not yet approved botulinum toxin for headaches, many clinics offer it for its ability to provide relief for up to three months.
Fortunately, tension headaches can often be prevented through stress reduction techniques and avoiding certain triggers. By focusing on prevention, those suffering from tension headaches may not need to rely excessively on painkillers, reducing the risk of rebound headaches. Any type of pain reliever can cause rebound issues if overused. However, most patients see dramatic improvement after three months of being weaned off medication and learn to avoid overusing pain pills.
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