Over 20,000 people in Connacht, including almost 5,000 in Mayo, could be suffering in silence due to a condition known as Medication Overuse Headache (MOH ). MOH, which affects between one to four per cent of the population, is caused by the overuse of over-the-counter or prescribed medications to treat headache or migraine.
Launching this year’s European Migraine Day of Action, which will be launched in Ireland for the very first time on September 12, Audrey Craven, President of the European Headache Alliance, said: “Most people are unaware that by taking more frequent and larger doses of analgaesics, they actually worsen their situation and the result can be Medication Overuse Headache. This year’s theme, When the Cure becomes the Cause, will form the basis of publications and events throughout Europe and captures the message we want to get across.”
The event also coincides with the Migraine Association of Ireland’s , Migraine Action Week, which takes place from September 8 to 14. For further information on the week, its programme of activities or about migraine in general, please visit www.migraine.ie or contact the Migraine Helpline at 1850 200378.
