Headaches and Their Surprising Causes

Rebecca Lewis July 08, 2015

We all experience headache from time to time. But if you suffer from headache too often, something could be wrong. Today, let’s learn more about headaches and their surprising causes.

Weather

As the weather changes, so does your chance of getting a headache. In some people, a change in weather can cause headache. Sunny, hot days and high humidity are often to blame. But rain and windy may also lead to headache.

While you can’t do anything about the changing weather, you can protect yourself from its effect on you. During hot, sunny days, do wear sunglasses and make sure that you are well-hydrated. And when it’s cold outside, put on a warm and comfortable jacket and

Hair accessories

Yes, even what you put on your hair can take a toll on your head. Even a tiny ponytail may cause strain in the tissue of your scalp, leading to headache. Braids, tight-fitting hats and headbands may have similar effect too. If this causes your headache, letting your hair down is the easiest remedy.

Too Much Workout

Exercising regularly can prevent headache. But too much physical activity can lead to it. Strenuous exercise can give you headache, and this symptom is common among those with migraine. It is important to consult a GP if you often get a headache after every activity, as it may be a sign of a more serious health issue.

Poor Posture

Incorrect posture can also lead to headache. Slouching at your desk can impede blood flow to your brain, which leads to headache. Invest on a good chair that has a lower-back support. Don’t hunch your shoulders, and avoid cradling the phone between your ear and shoulder.

Hunger

Skipping meals is one of the most common causes of headache. If you skip a meal, your head is going to ache first before you realise that you are hungry. And the reason could be the drop in your blood sugar. Don’t think that snacking on some sweets can ease the headache and hunger. Sweets can cause your blood sugar levels to spike, and drop even lower, which could worsen your headache.

Fermented Foods

Fermented foods, as well as cheese, cured meat and some types of beer contain tyramine – a substance believed to trigger migraine. In a 2010 study, it was found that diet could trigger migraine attacks. Among the specific foods found to trigger migraine were cheese and hot dogs. Experts are still trying to understand how tyramine can trigger migraines. One explanation is that the substance can cause nerve cells in the brain to release the chemical norepinephrine. Higher levels of tyramine, along with an unusual level of brain chemicals, can cause changes in the brain that lead to headaches.

Alcohol

It’s not clear exactly why drinking alcohol triggers a headache. Some experts believe that the changes in the level of the chemical serotonin in the brain may be to blame.

Processed Meat

Apart from containing tyramine, processed meats such as cold cuts contain food additives such as nitrites, which may trigger headaches in some people.

Smoking

Smokers suffer from frequent headache. And that is because cigarettes contain nicotine, which causes the blood vessels in the brain to narrow, allowing less oxygen to enter. It is not only the smokers who suffer from this, but also everyone else who are exposed to second-hand smoke.