What's analgesic rebound headache?
Continuing (and often escalating) use of analgesics (pain-relieving medications) accompanied by continuing or recurring headache can manifest itself as "drug-induced" or rebound headaches. Rebound headaches are likely to become constant when people use analgesic medications regularly, and they are likely to continue until the use of those medications is stopped. The pain is usually on both sides of the head. Sometimes there is also nausea and, perhaps, vomiting as well as restlessness, forgetfulness, weakness and depression.
Analgesic-rebound headaches are caused by successively frequent use of pain relievers, both prescription and over-the-counter medications. Rebound headaches occur if your body becomes accustomed to the doses of medication you are taking, requiring more frequent use of these medications to relieve pain. Headaches worsen and become more difficult to control; if you continue the spiral of more and more painkillers, the problem is likely to worsen.
The drugs most often associated with this type of rebound headaches are narcotic pain medications (like codeine, hydrocodone, propoxyphene, oxycodone and meperidine) or other controlled substances such as butalbital-containing preparations (Axocet, Esgic, and Fioricet, Fiorinal, or Phrenelin). However, rebound headaches also can occur when taking escalating doses of over-the-counter headache remedies such as acetaminophen, aspirin and ibuprofen. Caffeine, which is part of some drugs-like Anacin, Bayer Select, Excedrin, Goody's Powders and Vanquish - can also provoke or aggravate rebound headaches.
To treat rebound headaches effectively, it is necessary to stop using the offending medication (or medications) and break this cycle. Some of these drugs are physically addictive, and you should consult your doctor to find out how you can safely get out of this cycle. Certain medications should be tapered off gradually under close medical supervision. Hospitalization could be necessary.
If you need increasing doses of medication to control headaches, and your headaches are still getting worse, you may be experiencing rebound and you should consult your doctor. With good medical management, the prognosis is excellent for recovery. When you come off overused medication, there may be, however, a period -from a week or two or longer-when you will be asked to work through some bad headaches. Don't give up! Your doctor can help you find ways to help you get through this transitional period
.http://neurology.health-cares.net/analgesic-rebound-headache.php
Continuing (and often escalating) use of analgesics (pain-relieving medications) accompanied by continuing or recurring headache can manifest itself as "drug-induced" or rebound headaches. Rebound headaches are likely to become constant when people use analgesic medications regularly, and they are likely to continue until the use of those medications is stopped. The pain is usually on both sides of the head. Sometimes there is also nausea and, perhaps, vomiting as well as restlessness, forgetfulness, weakness and depression.
Analgesic-rebound headaches are caused by successively frequent use of pain relievers, both prescription and over-the-counter medications. Rebound headaches occur if your body becomes accustomed to the doses of medication you are taking, requiring more frequent use of these medications to relieve pain. Headaches worsen and become more difficult to control; if you continue the spiral of more and more painkillers, the problem is likely to worsen.
The drugs most often associated with this type of rebound headaches are narcotic pain medications (like codeine, hydrocodone, propoxyphene, oxycodone and meperidine) or other controlled substances such as butalbital-containing preparations (Axocet, Esgic, and Fioricet, Fiorinal, or Phrenelin). However, rebound headaches also can occur when taking escalating doses of over-the-counter headache remedies such as acetaminophen, aspirin and ibuprofen. Caffeine, which is part of some drugs-like Anacin, Bayer Select, Excedrin, Goody's Powders and Vanquish - can also provoke or aggravate rebound headaches.
To treat rebound headaches effectively, it is necessary to stop using the offending medication (or medications) and break this cycle. Some of these drugs are physically addictive, and you should consult your doctor to find out how you can safely get out of this cycle. Certain medications should be tapered off gradually under close medical supervision. Hospitalization could be necessary.
If you need increasing doses of medication to control headaches, and your headaches are still getting worse, you may be experiencing rebound and you should consult your doctor. With good medical management, the prognosis is excellent for recovery. When you come off overused medication, there may be, however, a period -from a week or two or longer-when you will be asked to work through some bad headaches. Don't give up! Your doctor can help you find ways to help you get through this transitional period
.http://neurology.health-cares.net/analgesic-rebound-headache.php
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