The pain returns and seems to no longer want to leave you. How to explain that your headache has become chronic in a few months? According to Dr. Gérald Kierzek, medical director of True Medical, certain headaches are caused by the treatments themselves.
Headache caused by the analgesics themselves
“”Daily chronic headache by drug abuse represent a vicious circle. The chronic taking aggravates! “ warns the doctor. The phenomenon is poorly known, but formidably common in migraine patients.
The mechanism is simple but insidious. By dint of taking analgesics, even without apparent excess, the brain gets used to it, then rebellious. Result: more frequent, more intense headache, which become permanent.
“Regular intake of analgesics (more than 10-15 days per month) can transform episodic headache into daily chronic headache” explains Dr. Kierzek. “This phenomenon concerns all types of analgesics: paracetamol, anti-inflammatory, triptans, opiates”.
Continue to get things to get things
“Continue taking analgesics keeps and aggravates the headache” he insists. Only solution: a therapeutic break. But this phase is not easy.
“”Improvement generally only occurs after a weaning period of 2 to 8 weeks, during which headaches can temporarily intensify before improving“He still details.
In addition, it is often believed – wrongly – that paracetamol is harmless. However, even he can trigger this type of pain when taken too often. “”Paracetamol can cause headache by drug abuse, although it is often better tolerated than other analgesics during weaning“Tells Dr. Kierzek again.
It therefore recommends a very limited consumption. “”Even paracetamol must be limited (no more than 2-3 days a week) to avoid perpetuating the cycle “.
What to do in case of regular migraines? Dr Kierzek’s alternatives
The trap can be avoided or corrected thanks to several solutions, drugs or not. “”Drugs like some antiepileptics, beta-blockers or antidepressants may be prescribed to reduce the frequency of crises“Underlines the doctor.
But these are not only pills. Lifestyle also plays an essential role. Among the recommended non -drug approaches, the doctor recommends:
- Relaxation techniques;
- Stress management;
- The regularization of sleep;
- Sufficient hydration.
In the most serious cases, weaning can be imposed in a hospital environment. “”Supervised withdrawal is sometimes necessary depending on the severity “ Specifies Dr. Kierzek.
And above all, do not be alone in the face of pain that is embedded. “”It is essential to consult a neurologist or a center specializing in headache to establish an adapted withdrawal plan and set up an effective effective treatment“He concludes.