Parents are reaching for the medicine bottle more than they should to relieve their child's headaches, according to a recent survey. Researchers from the Children's Hospital at the Cleveland Clinic found that more than 20 percent of the children and teens surveyed were overusing over-the-counter medications to relieve their headache pain.
In the study, 22 percent of the children and teens who experienced migraines or tension headaches took more than three doses of non-prescription medication per week for more than six weeks. Researchers cited that parents often didn't realize that their children were taking so much medication.
Gastrointestinal bleeding or kidney failure can be the consequences of taking too much pain medication. Migraine medications in particular may be a problem because they contain aspirin. The use of aspirin in children younger than age 19 has been associated with the serious and potentially fatal disease called Reye's syndrome.
In addition, researchers say overuse of pain relievers can cause a headache worse than the original--something known as a rebound headache.
Parents should monitor their children's medication usage, and should consult with the doctor or specialist if their children are experiencing frequent headaches to rule out something more serious than stress or tension.
Source: HealthDay News
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In the study, 22 percent of the children and teens who experienced migraines or tension headaches took more than three doses of non-prescription medication per week for more than six weeks. Researchers cited that parents often didn't realize that their children were taking so much medication.
Gastrointestinal bleeding or kidney failure can be the consequences of taking too much pain medication. Migraine medications in particular may be a problem because they contain aspirin. The use of aspirin in children younger than age 19 has been associated with the serious and potentially fatal disease called Reye's syndrome.
In addition, researchers say overuse of pain relievers can cause a headache worse than the original--something known as a rebound headache.
Parents should monitor their children's medication usage, and should consult with the doctor or specialist if their children are experiencing frequent headaches to rule out something more serious than stress or tension.
Source: HealthDay News
