By Rosette Nandutu,

Doctors have warned that overuse of painkillers by patients with frequent headaches can lead to the development of a daily headache syndrome that increases dependency on the drug and worsen the condition.

The syndrome, known as medication overuse headache, accounts for somewhere between 1 and 10 percent of medical visits, according to information from the World Health Organisation (WHO).  

Dr Joel Kiryabwire, a neurosurgeon and also the president of the Neurosurgical Society of Uganda (NISU), said that drugs can directly cause headache or the damage they cause to the body organs can manifest as headaches.

Dr Emmanuel Tugainayo, the director of Mbale Regional Referral Hospital, said simple painkillers like Panadol can destroy our liver and lead to conditions like headache. 

Dr Tugainayo said the painkillers should be used under prescription from a qualified medical professional adding that the doctor will define the period within which it is safe for you to use this medication.