Headache – one of the most common uncomfortable feelings that everyone had experienced at least once in their life.
It’s OK if you have it once or twice a year, it's inevitable if you did not sleep enough for the last couple of weeks or you are coming down with a cold or you had a lot of stress previously.
But if you have a headache 2-3 times a week and consider it normal – don't, cause ... it's not!
If you just keep taking pain medication without thinking why you get the headache you might make things worse, because by covering symptoms you are not solving the problem that causes it. The problem remains the same and even continues to grow.
So here are several basic reasons why you have a headache, so that you know what causes it:
Snapshot Survey
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Please subscribe for your personalized newsletter:
1. Toxins Build up
Most headaches start because of toxins overload which decreases amount of oxygen in the brain cells. Any pain is always the signal of low oxygen in the area. Some medications can even cause headache as a side effect.
Decreased oxygen levels in the brain, often stemming from a buildup of toxins, can result in discomfort. Poor dietary choices, environmental pollutants, and not drinking enough water can exacerbate this issue. It's vital to stay adequately hydrated and maintain a balanced diet rich in antioxidants to support your body’s natural detoxification processes. Additionally, certain relaxation techniques and regular exercise can help your body efficiently flush out these harmful substances, potentially reducing the frequency or severity of headaches caused by toxic overload. Remember, keeping your environment clean and avoiding overuse of chemicals can also make a significant difference in your body's toxin levels.
2. Food or Seasonal Allergy
Headaches are caused through nutrient deficiencies and oxygen deficiency since oxygen is used by the body to neutralize allergens which by the time becomes toxic.
3. A Tension Headache
Usually caused by tightening in the muscles of the face, neck or scalp is a result of stress or poor posture.
***
Tension headaches, also known as stress headaches, are the most common type of headache. They are usually felt as a band of pressure or tightness around the head, and can last from 30 minutes to several days. The pain can range from mild to severe and is usually located on both sides of the head, but can also be felt in the forehead, temples, or neck.
Tension headaches are typically caused by muscle tension, which can be triggered by stress, anxiety, fatigue, depression, or poor posture. Other potential causes include dehydration, eyestrain, or jaw clenching.
Common symptoms of tension headaches include dull, aching pain, tightness or pressure in the head, neck, and shoulders, a feeling of tightness around the head, and difficulty concentrating. Some people also experience sensitivity to light and sound, or a feeling of fatigue.
4. Circulation Problems
Caused by stress, hormonal imbalance, nutrients deficiencies can lead to headaches. They can cause spasm of blood vessels that in turn can lead to reduction of blood flow and oxygen supply to the brain. In extreme cases severe disruption of blood and oxygen supply results in a stroke.
5. Real Migraine or Classic Migraine
(Not to be confused with intense headaches, but considered fake migraine) is caused by excessive dilation of blood vessels in the head. Usually sufferers have warning symptoms before the onset of the pain – for about a few minutes. They include blurring or bright spot in the vision, fatigue, nausea and others.
6. Alcohol
For many people, alcohol can trigger a headache, even if they only drink a small amount. The best way to determine if this is the cause for you is to keep a journal in which you write down everything that you eat and drink and whether you experience a headache in the hours at follow. If alcohol bothers you, you'll see the trend soon enough.
7. Lack of Sleep
Have you been skimping on shut eye lately? Not getting enough sleep is a common cause of headaches. That's because sleep gives the body time to restore and rejuvenate so coming up short can wreak havoc on normal bodily functions, including those that control pain.
8. Hunger
Everyone has probably experienced a hunger headache at one point or another. Fortunately, this one is a simple fix. If you've gone several hours without a meal or snack and your head hurts, try eating something. Chances are, you'll feel better in short order.
9. Brain Disorders
Should you have a brain disorder, you will likely be experiencing headaches on a regular basis, rather than just occasionally. If that's the case, it's vital to talk to your doctor because this can indicate a brain tumor, an aneurysm or a blood clot, all of which are serious and require immediate medical attention.
10. Thirst
Thirst can cause a headache because your body needs enough fluids to function properly. When you are dehydrated, even just mildly, your head may begin to throb. A simple drink of water can really help.
11. Overuse of Pain Medications
When you pop over the counter pills to fight headache pain, your body may become reliant on them. If you stop using them you may experience what's called a rebound headache. This occurs as your body adjusts to lower levels of pain medication in your system. They will likely go away if you continue avoiding said medication.
So if you started having headaches way more often then once every 3-4 months without any visible reason then it’s not time to take stronger pain killers, but it's time to think about the source of the headache. These are by no means the only causes of a headache, so if you can't discern what is causing yours, it's important to see a doctor so you can figure what is causing your headaches so you can decide on the best course of treatment for them.
In the next article I will tell you how to deal with different kinds of headaches and treat them naturally and harmlessly...
This article written in collaboration with editor, Eliza Martinez
Feedback Junction
Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge
hello, i have a.hradache for 1 week now and just today i had my eye check up but my doctor said, its just.normal and my eyes r okay and they r not the reason of my headache. i have an allergic rhinitis, could it be possible reason of my headache? or i am taking my oral pill but i stopped for 1 week due to my headache, would it b the reason too? or wat kind of doctor will i go for my check up? thank you so muchhhh.
Hi.......... From last two months. I'm suffering from severe headache. Especially in d mornins I jst cant open my eyes. My head feels very heavy...........n sometimes I feel very giddy. , I jst cant bear dis anymore
Dear Suresh. I would see the retina specialist to find out why the intense light is bothering you so much. If everything OK with the retina I would see neurologist. It's could be so much reasons for your headache and a migraine - the simplest one. To find out sometimes you need just rule out one reason after another. But it could be necessary so you won't miss something serious.
Hi,i am getting daily headache since the past three weeks and it's mostly at the back of my head at the level of my neck.Can anyone advice me what to do?
I got headache some 6 months back then I met a Dr. and he gave me medicine and I was cured. Again I m facing the similar problem and during headache my head is getting heated up (a bit). Is there any one suggest wht shud be done...
:D :D .. its done dr. i dont have a brain cancer :) thank u .. the dr. that met him told me that i have to relax some days without thinking about my problems and the pain that i have came from that thing :) thank u very much .. maysa beltaji .
Comments
Jaqueline:hello, i have a.hradache for 1 week now and just today i had my eye check up but my doctor said, its just.normal and my eyes r okay and they r not the reason of my headache. i have an allergic rhinitis, could it be possible reason of my headache? or i am taking my oral pill but i stopped for 1 week due to my headache, would it b the reason too? or wat kind of doctor will i go for my check up? thank you so muchhhh.
gowthami:Hi.......... From last two months. I'm suffering from severe headache. Especially in d mornins I jst cant open my eyes. My head feels very heavy...........n sometimes I feel very giddy. , I jst cant bear dis anymore
Sofiya:Dear Suresh. I would see the retina specialist to find out why the intense light is bothering you so much. If everything OK with the retina I would see neurologist. It's could be so much reasons for your headache and a migraine - the simplest one. To find out sometimes you need just rule out one reason after another. But it could be necessary so you won't miss something serious.
Ziad:Hi,i am getting daily headache since the past three weeks and it's mostly at the back of my head at the level of my neck.Can anyone advice me what to do?
satya:I got headache some 6 months back then I met a Dr. and he gave me medicine and I was cured. Again I m facing the similar problem and during headache my head is getting heated up (a bit). Is there any one suggest wht shud be done...
Maysa::D :D .. its done dr. i dont have a brain cancer :) thank u .. the dr. that met him told me that i have to relax some days without thinking about my problems and the pain that i have came from that thing :) thank u very much .. maysa beltaji .
Feedback Junction
Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge