Analgesic rebound headaches are a common type of headache that need to be recognized. Rebound headaches are different from migraine headaches, in that, the causes are much more evident. Analgesic Rebound Headaches are caused by prescription or non-prescription headache medications. Rebound headaches are also common when taking medications with caffeine. Rebound headaches are usually accompanied by restlessness and irritability. Rebound headaches are one of those adding insult to injury things. Rebound headaches are simply headaches you get from taking too much medication, or the wrong kind of medication, then stopping abruptly. Imitrex rebound headaches seem to be common in people with migraine.

Caffeine

The over-use of caffeine-containing analgesics causes rebound headaches. Other drug culprits often implicated in rebounding are Caffeine/Codeine/Combination drugs such as Fiorinal and Midrin Drugs containing barbiturates Ergotamine tartrate Opiates Abortive drugs (such as the non-steroidal ibuprofen and naproxen), triptans (Imitrex, Zomig, Amerge), and DHE (dihydroergotamine) may also induce rebounding, but they're less likely to do so. When the occasional headache strikes, most of us head for the medicine cabinet or local pharmacy and take an over-the-counter analgesic, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin or pain-relieving medications containing caffeine. Among these medications are aspirin, sinus relief medications, acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), sedatives for sleep, codeine and prescription narcotics, and over-the-counter combination headache remedies containing caffeine (such as Anacin, Excedrin, Bayer Select and others). The typical medications that appear in the rebound scenario are aspirin and acetaminophen, alone or in combination with caffeine-containing products. Although Aspirin, Tylenol and many prescription pain killers (Codeine, Demerol, Barbiturates, Ergot, and Caffeine) are helpful to the occasional headache sufferer, the overuse of these drugs can often make an existing headache much worse.

Disorders

Rebound headaches are also known as medication overuse headaches, also known as MOH, and are classified as a headache disorder by the International Classification of Headache Disorders. It is important to remember that a number of systemic disorders may be associated with headache. Rebound headaches are common in people with migraine and primary headache disorders. Headache can be caused by sleep disorders and sleep disorders can cause headache.

Overuse

Rebound headaches may occur from overuse of analgesic medications. Overuse of analgesics has been shown to exacerbate and prolong pain. Many patients with medication overuse headache use large quantities of drug and multiple analgesic agents. Even the triptan medications can cause this type of headache if overused.

Conclusions

Rebound headaches are caused by the very things that relieve headaches -- pain medication. Many experts believe that rebound headaches are due to this frequent and excessive use of short-acting, immediate relief medications. Don’t hesitate to get second, third opinions if you feel you need to, especially if your medical professional doesn’t seem to know what rebound headaches are or how serious they are. Also try adding Magnesium, Vitamin B2 and Feverfew to your diet. It could make a big difference!