Migraine sufferers who take pain relievers should do so on no more than 10 days a month, a German health group is warning. Overuse can lead to chronic daily headaches, says the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG), a government-affiliated organisation whose mandate includes providing the general public with "independent and evidence-based health information."
It points out on its website that migraine headaches can considerably restrict the daily activities of those affected, some of whom get several attacks each month. Migraines typically cause throbbing pain in one area of the head and are often accompanied by nausea or vomiting as well as extreme sensitivity to light and sound.
Symptoms can last from four hours to three days, putting migraine sufferers under severe strain.
Migraine attacks are debilitating, many sufferers finding it impossible to carry out their normal activities at work or at home.
The fear of future attacks is an added burden, the IQWiG notes, as is worry about how the migraines are affecting personal relationships or work performance.
People having to avoid activities they enjoy due to migraines may benefit from cognitive behavioural therapy. Some find relief in a German relaxation technique known as autogenic training, or in regular aerobic exercise. Support groups can also provide help and counsel.
During a migraine attack, sufferers should lie down in a dark, quiet room, or apply a cold compress or an ice pack to their head or neck.
Over-the-counter painkillers can also bring relief. Sometimes they're not strong enough, however, in which case migraine sufferers could try triptans. They work by constricting blood vessels and blocking pain pathways in the brain, but should only be taken in consultation with a doctor.
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