Painkillers can cause headaches, GPs told
DOCTORS were yesterday urged to warn patients about the risks of overusing drugs to treat headaches.
New guidance on managing headaches says using too much medication is in itself a cause of the problem.
NHS group the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (Sign) said that doctors should discuss the issue of "medication overuse headache" with patients when starting treatment.
The problem is greatest for "opioid" painkillers, such as over-the-counter remedies like Migraleve and Solpadeine.
But headaches can also be caused by overuse of other analgesics such as paracetamol and aspirin.
More than 90 per cent of people will suffer headaches during their lifetime.
Sign said that most patients could be dealt with in primary care, with more complex investigations rarely needed.
Email to a friend
Print this page- Scottish independence: David Cameron set to snub Alex Salmond’s separation
- Fathers of Scots children murdered in Dunblane tragedy in plea to David Cameron over arms treaty
- Baftas: The Artist wins big as Meryl Streep wins best actress
- NBNK may look again at Clydesdale
- Why tax case casts long shadow over Rangers and beyond
- Scottish independence: David Cameron set to snub Alex Salmond’s separation
- Jim Murphy warns that independence could cost ‘thousands’ of defence jobs
- Labour rebel councillors could contest Glasgow May election
- Further jobs gloom on the way as north-south ‘chasm’ widens
- Analysis: Reliance on volatile oil price a tricky position
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Edinburgh
Monday 13 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 6 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: West
