Rebound headaches

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Definition Symptoms Causes Risk factors When to seek medical advice

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Definition

You feel a headache coming on, so you reach for a pain reliever. Or maybe you take pain medication in advance — even every day — to stave off frequent headaches. After all, that's what pain relievers are for, right?

Think again.

Pain relievers may offer quick relief for occasional headaches. But there's a limit. If you find yourself taking pain medication more than two or three days a week, you may actually be contributing to your headaches rather than easing them. It's a cycle known as rebound headaches.

The cycle starts when you take too much headache medication — more than the label instructs or your doctor prescribes. Soon, your body adapts to the medication. You may not even realize that you've been dosing yourself too often until you miss a day and your head starts to hurt again — sometimes more intensely than before.

The only way to stop rebound headaches is to reduce or stop taking the pain medication that's causing them. It's tough, but your doctor can help.

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Symptoms