India, July 9 -- Headaches have become a regular, everyday problem for many people. It is alarmingly normalised. Since they are seen as a minor bump in the day, like a headache after lunch or in the morning, most self-medicate, popping over-the-counter pain relievers like paracetamol, aspirin, or ibuprofen. But if the headache keeps returning routinely and you still reach for a painkiller without a second thought, it may be time to pause and assess how safe this practice is, and what the possible ramifications may be if you continue doing so.

Settling the doubt, Dr Chinmay Kumbhar, consultant neurology at Manipal Hospital, Baner, Pune, answered a few questions for HT Lifestyle about why one must stop medication overuse and look at headac...