The British Association for the Study of Headache [CORRECT] estimates two per cent of Britons are affected by such headaches, with migrane-sufferers being particularly prone.
Medication overuse contributes to the headaches suffered by up to half of the 2,000 or so patients treated at the London Migraine Clinic each year.
The problem is exacerbated by the pace of modern-day life, with stressed-out Britons spend at least £400million a year on painkilling pills, which are easier to swallow and more widely available than ever before.
The warning follows growing concern over the growing numbers of people addicted to over-the-counter drugs containing codeine.
The drug, a key ingredient of tablets such as Solpadeine and Nurofen Plus, makes users feel more relaxed - so even after the pain is gone, some will keep taking it for a calming effect.
As the body becomes accustomed to codeine, addicts need to take more and more.
Some of those hooked are taking more than 70 pills a day, placing themselves at risk of liver and stomach problems, constipation and depression.
However, headaches triggered by overuse aren't limited to one particular type of headache pill, with aspirin, paracetamol, ibuprofen and codeine all making pain worse if taken regularly.
It is not entirely clear why headaches get worse when painkillers are used regularly.
However, it is possible overuse of the drugs dampens the body's own painkilling mechanisms, making all aches and pains feel more intense than usual.
For those stuck in the vicious cycle of taking pills to treat headaches, only to find the pain is made worse by the pills, the only solution is to stop the tablets all together.
Dr MacGregor, director of clinical research at the City of London Migraine Clinic, said, "People think that if they've got a headache they should take painkillers. What they don't realise is that they might be making the problem worse.
"There is no harm in stopping the painkillers, to see if things improve. If they don't improve, you should visit your GP.
"The rule of thumb is that if you are using treatments more than two or three days a week, every week, for a number of months, you do really need to get yourself sorted out."
She added that many headaches can be eliminated by making simple lifestyle changes, such as eating better and getting more sleep. |
