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Have a headache? The real cause may surprise you...

Problems with headaches are quite common.  For the most minor headaches, a good nap or a dose of an over the counter pain medication will put things right.  In other cases, the problem may be something more serious.  If you suffer from chronic headaches, you may have been told to keep a diary so you can figure out your own personal triggers.  This is a great way to be pro-active about the problem.




In some cases, the pain you feel in your head is not really a headache at all...it's a "referred pain." This means that the actual origin of the pain is NOT in your head but is expressed in your head.  For instance, a problem in the upper (cervical) portion of the spine due to injury or extensive desk work can result in a headache. 

With that in mind, here are some other headache triggers that you might like to know about.  Hopefully you won't have a headache anytime soon, but if you do it might help you to figure out what's causing pain in your head.

1) Caffeine withdrawal is known to cause headaches.  If you are trying to eliminate caffeine it's probably better to do so gradually instead of stopping abruptly.

2) Alcoholic beverages are another substance that is known to induce headache.  This can occur following a night after only a few drinks!  Drink in moderation if you must drink at all.

3) Fasting or dehydration is known to cause headache...the reason is poorly understood, but it does happen.

4) Obesity. It has been shown that women who have a body mass index of 35 or more are 35% more likely to have problems with headaches. Those with BMI > 40 are 80% more likely to experience headache issues.

5) Environmental issues. Some people report developing a headache after exposure to smoke, fragrances, noises, chemical odors, etc.

6) Dependency on OTC pain medications. Taking over the counter pain medications for headache on a too frequent basis can make a person dependent on them...when the medication is stopped, the headache returns.  

7) Intense physical exercise can induce a headache.  While exercise is generally a good thing, too much of a good thing is not good. Moderation is key.

8) Pollen can cause headache for those troubled by allergies.  This can include grass, ragweed,molds, dust, animal dander, etc.  

9) Food allergies can present themselves as headache.  This is one of the reasons why keeping a diary is helpful. Process of elimination can help identify the suspect food.  Sulfites found in wine, preservatives in beer and other foods, and MSG commonly found in Chinese cuisine are common culprits.  Unfortunately, allergy to chocolate is also common.

10) A headache can be a warning signal of a serious health problem.  Sometimes headaches are reported prior to a stroke.  Cardiovascular problems, such as hypertension or heart defects, can also cause this problem. My best advice:  When in doubt--check it out!

Sources: somediy.net;pixabay

 
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