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Migraines & Medication Overuse Headaches: Stopping the Pain Cycle

May 10, 2020
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Many people are now enjoying migraine relief in Filinvest City, Alabang since they lessen medication use and instead turn to natural care.

Have you heard of MOH or medication overuse headaches before? They were also called rebound headaches in the past. MOH causes debilitating pain, and sometimes, even more intense than migraines.

This blog will educate you on essential details about MOH and migraines. Firstly, let’s take an in-depth look at medication overuse headaches. Knowing essential details about them in advance can help you prevent future pain from ever happening to you. By the end of this article, you will discover natural and long-term migraine and headache relief. 

 

What Exactly Are Medication Overuse Headaches?

Medication overuse headaches occur due to excessive use of medication that should be stopping migraines or headaches. Instead of bringing migraine relief in Filinvest City, Alabang, the pain relievers cause even more severe headaches. 

MOH is the most frequent cause of migraine-like headaches that happen on more than 15 days within a month. For this reason, MOH is chronic. They are a combination of migraines and tension-type headaches. A crucial thing to remember is that people hardly ever respond positively to medication while they suffer from medication overuse headaches. 

Characteristics of Medication Overuse Headaches

Here are the crucial criteria for medication overuse headaches:

  • They occur at least 15 days within a month. 
  • Headaches get worse after taking too much medication.
  • You have been taking your medication for over three months already. You tend to use more than the recommended doses.
  • After a couple of months of discontinued use of your medication, your migraines and headaches revisit you. There is a tendency for them to resume their regular pattern. 

Can you see the vicious cycle of pain here? Fortunately, there is a natural way for you to get a lasting migraine and headache relief without the need for using medication.

 

Medications That Cause MOH

What drugs or medications can cause medication overuse headaches? Virtually all drugs used for severe or symptomatic treatment of headaches can cause MOH, including migraines and chronic headaches.

The following medications are taken by migraine and headache people for at least ten days within a month, for more than three months:

  • Ergotamine:  DHE-45, Migranal Nasal Spray
  • Triptan: Relpax, Maxalt, Imitrex, Zomig, Amerge, Treximet, Axert, and Frova.
  • Analgesic: Acetaminophen
  • Opioid: (People who take opioids are known for having the highest relapse rate after their medicine withdrawal)
  • Combination of medications: Combining ergotamine, analgesics, triptans, opioids, and taking them for more than ten days for more than three months.
  • Others: This includes any medication that has been taken for more than three months to care for migraines or headaches.

Caffeine can also cause medication overuse headaches when used excessively. Some migraine and headache medications contain caffeine. These medicines can also contribute to MOH. 

NSAIDs are anti-inflammatory medicines, an example, Aleve. In clinical studies, they should be safe to use moderately (10 – 14 days a month). But when used for more than 15 days in a month, they were immediately linked to MOH. Therefore, there should be an explicit restriction set on their recommended usage. No more than three days per week. Also, never use them for migraine prevention.

 

How to Avoid Medication Overuse Headaches

The straight answer to this is simple. Do not overuse your medications to relieve your migraines and headaches. The answer sounds easy but compliance can be challenging for a person who suffers from chronic pain. Chiropractors may recommend their people to start taking lower doses of certain medications, which can help some people, but not all. 

The long-term answer should be to try and find a capable, preventative routine, or natural way to reduce the need for medications in dealing with your migraines and headaches. 

 

Addressing Headaches and Migraines at Its Root

The best way to avoid medication overuse headaches and get migraine relief in Filinvest City, Alabang is to solve the root cause of the problem. Upper cervical chiropractic care concentrates on getting to the fundamental cause of migraines and headaches. Upper cervical chiropractors have training in this area.  

Migraine and headaches often develop due to a misalignment in the first bones of the upper cervical spine, known as the atlas (C1) and axis (C2) vertebrae. When these bones are out of alignment, instead of protecting the brainstem, they cause more irritation, pressure, and stress to it.

When the atlas or axis vertebrae are out of position, it results in disrupted brain and body communication. It also blocks the proper flow of blood and cerebrospinal fluid. Any of these scenarios can be the underlying trigger for migraines and headaches.

 

Get Migraine Relief in Filinvest City, Alabang 

Visit us here in our office at N8 Upper Cervical located in Filinvest City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City. We use a technique that allows the atlas or axis vertebrae to move back into their proper places. By restoring the correct alignment of the upper cervical spine, optimal brain and body communication also returns. Also, the adequate flow of blood and cerebrospinal fluid to the brain goes back to its original state.

Numerous people reported seeing significant improvement in the frequency and severity of their headaches and migraines after only a couple of visits to our office. Some see their headaches and migraines go away and not return.

Call us at (02) 835-620988 or click this link to schedule an appointment with our upper cervical chiropractor. Let us help you regain a higher quality of life with fewer migraines and headaches.

 

About the Author

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N8 Upper Cervical Chiropractic
When I discovered Chiropractic. My father took me to see a chiropractor, the first in the Philippines at the time. He examined me, found the cause of the problem and gave me my first adjustment- one that would set me towards a path of true health and well being.

Feel Better. Work Better. Live Better.

To schedule a consultation with our office call our number +632 8553 6218 for Makati Location and +632 8356 2098 for Alabang Location or click the consultation buttons below.

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