Headaches are usually caused by stress, tension and anxiety. Emotional stress and anxiety can increase neck and shoulder tension which in turn can cause headache.
Eyestrain may also cause headaches and you should consult an optometrist. Headaches may also be a sign of infection.
Malocclusion of the teeth or spinal subluxations of the neck may be checked out with your local Chiropractor.
Some headaches are due to inadequate recovery following head injury.
Migraine is often confused with headaches and usually starts with a throbbing headache centered above the eye or begins at the back of the head and spreads to one side. Migraine is often accompanied by nausia and vomiting.
Attacks can be triggered by perfume, cigarette smoke and bright lights. Sometimes excessive dairy products in the diet is the cause.
One of the most causes is eating and drinking chocolate, caffeine and drinking red wine. The best way to avoid headaches is to control stress levels, meditate and remove potential reactive foods from the diet.
Keep blood sugar levels constant by eating a balanced diet. Several studies have indicated that multivitamin and minerals containing the B-group vitamins, vitamin E, vitamin C, Zinc, Manganese and Copper are associated with fewer headaches.
The best herbs for relieving headaches are Willowbark, Valerian, Passionflower, Scullcap and Vervain. Several studies have confirmed the effectiveness of Feverfew in preventing migraine.
If Your Headache happens during or before your Period it may be hormones.
The reason may be a drop in estrogen and an increase in prostaglandin (the hormone involved in muscle movement and kidney function), both of which can cause changes in brain and body chemistry that bring on headaches.
If your headache happens after eating certain foods your trigger may be foods that contain tyramine, nitrites or MSG. The most common tyramine offenders are aged cheeses, red wine, beer, lima beans and chicken livers.
Nitrite saturated edibles include hot dogs, salami and similar types of cured meats. MSG is often found in Chinese food and some salad dressings. Also watch out for chocolate, nuts, smoked fish and caffeine, all of which can provoke pain in some people.
If your headache happens when missed on sleep your trigger may be fluctuating brain chemicals. Too much or too little sleep can disrupt the balance of chemicals in the brain, which can lead to headaches.
Certain chemical changes take place in the brain during sleep. If a persons sleep schedule is disrupted these chemicals may take a while to get back in balance and a headache can result.
If your headache happens when the weather changes your trigger may be a shift in barometric pressure. Atmospheric pressure shifts or changing wind patterns can also cause headaches. Seasonal changes especially from summer to fall and from winter to spring can cause headaches.
If your headache happens when stress levels change your trigger may be adrenaline and other hormones. Both good stress and bad stress can cause headaches.
Adrenaline and other hormones are released when you're under stress. These can bring on headaches.
The sudden easing of tension may also cause headaches.
MIGRAINE
Migraine headaches vary from person to person.
Typically they are throbbing headaches affecting one side of the head.
They are often accompanied by a number of other symptoms, which also vary according to individual cases.
Some people have very little head pain but suffer from distorted vision and hearing or feelings of intense anxiety.
Some may suffer from incapacitating pain lasting for several days.
Many people are warned of an impending migraine attack by bizarre distortions of size, position, time and place.
Others see flashing lights or bright colors in unusual shapes.
Nausea, vomiting, chills, fever, dizziness, diarrhea, abdominal, arm, or leg pain, and sensitivity to light are still other symptoms that may accompany a migraine.
Regardless of the differing symptoms, all migraine headaches are related to changes in the blood vessels of the head and neck.
Early warning symptoms of a migraine are thought to be caused by a narrowing of these blood vessels while the head pain is believed to be a result of the subsequent expanding or dilating of the vessels.