The use of analgesics, commonly non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), to relieve pain has been a practice for many people all over the world. Hence, it is safe to say the analgesics (pain relievers) are considered staples whenever you feel any ache or discomfort, especially when you get headaches. However, growing evidence has proven that your pain relievers can, ironically, trigger your pain! These conditions are also known as medication-overuse headaches, which is a common phenomenon in people who suffer from 15 or more headache days in a month.
The Phenomenon Behind NSAIDs
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a group of medications that revolutionized the medical management of pain. Due to their wonders in managing pain and inflammation, NSAIDs have become an over-the-counter staple that almost everyone reaches out for whenever feeling sickly or in pain. These drugs inhibit special enzymes in the body that promote the inflammatory cascade, thereby halting the progression of inflammation. However, these key enzymes (cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2) also exert protective and homeostatic effects in the body. To learn more about how NSAIDs can affect your optimal health, we have the perfect blog post for you!
Understanding Medication-Overuse Headaches
Medication-overuse headache (MOH) causes debilitating pain and discomfort from persistent and unregulated use of pain relievers to manage headaches.1 This happens because your brain actually becomes extra sensitive to pain and reacts strongly to signals, thereby changing how it is able to process this painful stimulus. People with MOH often experience headaches for 15 or more days in a month due to an already-present migraine or tension-type headache.1
Signs and Symptoms
Because MOH can cause sensitization in the brain, which is the control center of the body, your headaches may become worse or you may experience hypersensitivity reactions.1 Additionally, you may have runny nose, nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting, because this sensitivity can affect the connection between your brain and gut.
Allopathic Options
Medication-overuse headaches are conventionally managed through a variety of steps, which begin with patient education on the effects of frequent use of medications to relieve headaches.2 A course of medications that prevent migraines, such as topiramate, are then given in people who cannot stop taking anti-headache medications.2 People may also undergo detoxification to remove these substances in the body. Simply put, the only way to stop your headaches is by not taking the medications that caused these in the first place. Unfortunately, this act can be a challenge for people with chronic daily headaches who rely on these medications for pain relief. Discovering the root causes of your daily headaches is therefore crucial to finally achieve headache-free days!
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THE BLOG AT NATURAL PATH TO WELLNESSAuthorSNatural Path to Wellness values community education and welcomes contributions from writers with a background in Naturopathic Medicine, natural health and wellness, herbalism, homeopathy, Nature Cure, and more. Disclosures & Policies: This and other blog posts may contain affiliate links. Please view our disclosures page for more information.
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