HALT that headache!

Head pain? Why the pills you're taking for it could actually be causing it – and what you should be trying instead

- KAREN EVENNETT

We've all heard it often enough: most headaches are nothing to worry about. They are so common that only about 4% of people never have one, and, for the rest of us, they'll usually be easy to treat at home - no need to bother a doctor.

If they start to become a regular occurrence, though, you may want to take it up with your GP. Troublesome cases actually account for up to 10% of consultations in many GP practices. So don't be shy - talk to your doctor.

But you may be surprised to learn that some headaches that keep coming back could be caused by the very painkillers you're taking to get rid of them. According to the health body NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence), 1-2% of us – about a million people in the UK – have medication overuse headache (MOH), meaning that our frequent headaches are caused by painkillers and migraine treatments.

A medical mystery

You may also come across medication overuse headache (MOH) under its other name of rebound headache, says GP Dr Jeff Foster. 'It's a condition that can develop when pain-relief medications are used too frequently, and it unfortunately creates a cycle where the headache returns as the medication wears off, leading to even more frequent use and worsening symptoms.'

Everyday over-the-counter painkillers like paracetamol and ibuprofen are often to blame, so it's important to treat them with respect. Read the information that comes with your pills, and stick within the guidelines for usage.