What is MOH? MOH is relatively new term for a long-standing, “unnamed” and largely unrecognized condition caused by taking painkillers daily or on a regular basis for migraines or other headaches.
How does MOH happen and what is the dependency dilemma? Headaches flare up in response to physical or emotional stress. As a “solution” many people take pain killers frequently. Initially, the first doses may provide relief, which reinforces the idea that painkiller consumption is helpful. On a psychological level, what’s known as “positive conditioning” spurs the sufferers to continue reaching for painkillers for relief.
But what’s going on may have more to do with the chemical changes in the brain than psychological conditioning which may lead to dependency and caffeine, barbiturates, codeine and other opioids are the most likely to have this effect. For example, caffeine increases alertness, relieves fatigue and improves performance and mood. Caffeine-withdrawal symptoms, such as irritability, nervousness, restlessness and headaches, all encourage patients to continue their abuse.
Withdrawal Woes — After a period of regular painkiller doses, the body becomes used to the pain medication. When the sufferer doesn’t take a painkiller within a day or so of the last dose, then a “withdrawal” headache develops. What the sufferer thinks is just an especially persistent headache is usually a symptom of medication withdrawal, therefore he or she may take another dose. When the effect of each dose wears off, a further withdrawal headache develops. In time, sufferers will develop regular headaches that appear on a daily basis. Some people resort to taking painkiller “routinely” to try to prevent headaches, which only makes things worse.
Which painkillers cause MOH? If you think only prescription medication can cause MOH, you’re wrong. Almost any pain medication that provides rapid headache relief can cause MOH. Culprits include pain relievers like aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (such as Advil, Motrin, Aleve and Midol).
MOH may be a precursor to other disorders — Scientists speculate that MOH may be a precursor of a more serious condition. Researchers hypothesize that the same brain changes and chain of events that lead to MOH may trigger other disorders, if medication overuse continues. Besides emotional problems, these disorders may include other forms of chronic pain, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Chiropractic Lifestyle Solution — For doctors of chiropractic, the solution to headaches isn’t in a pill. In addition to spawning MOH, pain medication does nothing to prevent future pain and is often accompanied by multiple side effects. The solution is the chiropractic lifestyle, which involves stress reduction, chiropractic care, healthy diets and exercise. All of the components of this lifestyle are proven ways to eliminate head pain and are free from side effects.
For more Information, please call Dr. Ekengren at 661-254-9400 or visit her office located at 23120 Lyons Avenue Suite 21 in Santa Clarita.