Also known as medication overuse headache, rebound headaches happen every day or almost every day. They may be caused by using too much pain medicine. Rebound headaches usually begin early in the morning. The pain can be different each day. People who have rebound headaches also may have nausea, anxiety, irritability, depression or problems sleeping.
Prescription and over-the-counter medicine for migraines (such as aspirin and acetaminophen) can cause rebound headaches if you take them too often. These medicines should not be taken more than 2 days per week. Sedatives, tranquilizers and ergotamine medicines also can cause rebound headaches. Talk with your doctor to find out if you should stop taking these medicines or should take less of them.
Talk to your doctor about the medicines you are taking. You can safely stop taking some medicines right away. Other medicines may need to be stopped gradually over time. Once you stop taking the medicine that is causing your rebound headaches, your headaches may get worse for a couple of weeks. This is normal. If you have any concerns, be sure to talk to your doctor.
Some headache medicines contain caffeine. Caffeine can make your headache feel better for a little while. But if you take medicine every day that contains caffeine, you might get more headaches. The same is true if you drink beverages every day that contain caffeine. If your headache gets worse when you stop having caffeine, it may be the caffeine that is causing some of your headaches.
A headache journal can help you and your doctor know exactly when you are getting headaches, what might be triggering them, and what helps relieve the pain.
There are several medicines that can be used to prevent headaches. They have to be taken every day. These medicines include the following:
These medicines can help you get fewer headaches. They will not stop every headache. It can take 6 weeks or more for the medicine to start working. Talk to your doctor about whether one of these medicines is right for you. It is important to follow your doctor's instructions when you take these medicines.
Following a regular daily routine can also help. Eat meals at regular hours. Do not skip breakfast. Fasting is a common cause of headache. Go to bed and get up at the same time every day. Regular aerobic exercise can also be helpful. Try to exercise for 30 to 60 minutes a day, 4 to 6 days a week. Yoga, meditation and relaxation therapy can also relieve headaches.
Take medicine only as directed by your doctor. Always carry your medicine with you in case you get a headache.
Some patients try alternative therapies (such as acupuncture or chiropractic treatments) for headache relief. If you are considering an alternative therapy, talk to your doctor about the potential risks and benefits of these treatments.
If you are considering taking an herbal health product for headache relief, keep in mind that these products aren't tested to be sure they're safe. You should check with your doctor before taking any herbal health product, especially if you take any prescription medicines.
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