Cause 7. Medication Overuse: The Double-Edged Sword of Migraine Treatment
Delving deeper into the labyrinth of migraine causes, we encounter the enigma of medication overuse. Often perceived as a beacon of relief in the storm of migraines, medication overuse can paradoxically morph into a trigger for chronic migraines.
This phenomenon, known as Medication Overuse Headache (MOH), is a boomerang effect. It begins innocently, with the occasional use of medication to ward off a migraine. But as the frequency of medication use increases, so does the risk of MOH.
There’s a fine line between relief and reliance when it comes to medication use in migraines. Over-reliance can lead to a vicious cycle, where your body starts expecting medication. And when you don’t deliver, your body responds with a migraine.
Pain medications like triptans, ergots, opioids, and even over-the-counter drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen can lead to MOH if used excessively. As you descend into this cycle, your migraines can become more frequent and severe, leading to chronic migraines.
The tight grip of MOH can feel insurmountable, but it’s not. It’s a challenging yet navigable path. By understanding this paradox, you can take steps towards sensible medication use. To prevent MOH, it’s essential to follow the recommended dosages and frequencies for pain-relieving medications and to avoid using them as a long-term solution for migraine management. (7)
