New research published in the British Medical Journal suggests that overusing painkilling drugs such as aspirin, paracetamol and ibuprofen to treat a headache could also be the trigger.

Taking painkilling medications for more than 10 or 15 days a month can lead to more headaches and the drugs could be part of the problem rather than the cure.

According to the research, all types of headache drugs are capable of making headaches worse if overused including migraine drugs known as triptans.

People who suffer with headaches caused by overuse of medications take an average of 114 doses per month while migraine sufferers suffer more headaches when taking just 18 doses of triptan each month. Taking a low dose each day is more likely to trigger a headache rather than taking a high dose once a week leading to researchers to conclude that frequency rather than quantity is the cause.

However, it may take several years of excessive use of medication before overuse headaches develop. This is due to regular doses of painkillers changing electrical pathways in the brain that carry pain signals leading to an oversensitivity to headaches.

If using codeine regularly, there is also a risk of withdrawal symptoms due to its addictiveness which in turn may play a part in triggering a headache while taking triptan drugs for a prolonged period could weaken the brain’s natural ability to cope with pain.

If you find the need to take painkillers on a regular basis you should speak to your GP about combining your medication with other treatment approaches. Natural treatments such as acupuncture, osteopathy and physiotherapy can have therapeutic benefits on headaches.

Read the articles below to learn more:

Can Osteopathy help treat headaches?
Treating headaches with Physiotherapy

Find a local practitioner