Rebound headaches occur when you over-medicate. It usually goes like this: you have a headache, so you reach for an analgesic such as aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen, or even a prescription headache medicine. If the medicine helps to relieve your headache, you start to use them more frequently. Perhaps you think, “Hmm … if the dosage on the package works, then a higher dosage would work even better.” Soon you find yourself having to take higher and higher dosages of the medication in order to achieve results. You may even be somewhat addicted, taking the medicine to ward off a headache that you think might come on later. It’s safe to assume that if you’re having to use medication to relieve a headache more than twice a week, you may be overmedicating yourself and inadvertently giving yourself more headaches. The bottom line: always take over the counter medications and prescriptions as directed!
Sinus Headaches
Sinus headaches are caused by – you guessed it! – inflamed sinuses. Sinuses can become inflamed as the result of allergies, infections, or tumors. That inflammation will cause a pain where the sinuses are located: in your forehead, cheek bones, and behind the bridge of your nose. If you have a headache that is caused by blockage of the sinuses, such as from an infection, you’ll probably also be running a fever. But be careful: taking decongestants when your headache isn’t actually a sinus headache can worsen your pain.