Everyone has gone to the medicine cabinet when a headache strikes. But taking painkillers for more than a few days may trigger a condition known as the “rebound” headache.
You might call it the headache after the headache.
Dr. Mark Saleh, who oversees the General Neuroconsultative and Referral Service at California Pacific Medical Center, wrote in a recent San Francisco Chronicle story that the regular use of meds such as ibuprofen, naproxen and acetaminophen might change how certain pain pathways and receptors work in our brains. The result is a rebound headache. Don’t worry, he also provided some tips on how to keep those headaches at bay.
Has that got you thinking about your headaches? The Mayo Clinic recommends consulting a doctor if:
- You usually have two or more headaches a week
- You take a pain reliever for your headaches more than twice a week
- You need more than the recommended dose of over-the-counter pain remedies to relieve your headaches
- Your headache pattern changes
- Your headaches are getting worse
Does that help? We hope so. If you have any questions, please give us a call.