GeneralHeadaches: 6 Triggers And Treatments

Headache is so commonplace that most people don’t pay attention to it very much. They pop a pill, and the pain disappears in no time. However, some suffer from headaches frequently. If you experience headaches for more than 15 days a month, simply taking pain medication might not be enough.

Perhaps it’s time to look deeper and discover what may be causing your symptoms before you can reduce frequent headaches. Here are six common headache triggers and treatments:

1. Stress

People who suffer from anxiety and stress are prone to tension headaches. This problem typically emanates from the scalp, neck, and back, and then it inches its way to your temples. Those who experience constant tension head pains will probably feel neck and shoulder muscle pains as well.

Possible Treatment: Learning relaxation or meditation techniques may help treat the constant throbbing in your head. You can do those when you feel you are under pressure or starting to get anxious. Yoga, tai chi, qigong, and even walking are just some exercises that can release stress. You can also take supplements, drink chamomile or lavender tea, and eat dark chocolate to help ease your tension.

2. Weather

The weather can affect people’s moods. When the sun is bright, people feel happy and hopeful. Meanwhile, gray skies and damp weather can make you feel down. But did you know that storms, rising temperatures, and even high humidity could also cause a headache for some people? Experts believe that weather pressure changes may bring about electrical and chemical changes that could irritate nerves responsible for head pain.

Possible Treatment: You can’t change the weather. But there are many things you can do to help prevent weather-related or barometric pressure headaches. First, you can check the weather news so you’ll be prepared and have painkillers available in case you need them. Next, make sure to get restful sleep, eat right, exercise regularly, and stay hydrated. These steps may help prevent the factors that can exacerbate your symptoms.

3. Hormones

Hormonal imbalance in women can trigger constant headaches. Changes in women’s estrogen levels during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and perimenopause can spark throbbing and unbearable headaches.

Possible Treatment: For those suffering from estrogen-triggered headaches, performing cold compress therapy, or placing a cold towel on your forehead, could relieve dull aches and decrease inflammation. Having a relaxing massage and taking vitamin supplements may also help prevent pain. You can also ask your doctor about hormonal therapy if you are feeling other symptoms of menopause.

4. Lack Of Sleep

Lack of sleep can make most people feel cranky and tired. Some suffer from tension headaches and migraines for not clocking enough snooze time. Those with sleep deprivation problems may experience headaches and a host of other chronic symptoms that may affect their day-to-day activities.

Possible Treatment: The easiest and fastest way to remedy this problem is to have at least seven or eight hours of sleep per night. If you have trouble sleeping, you can try sleep aids and supplements that may help bring back your sleep rhythm. Keeping your phone, tablet, and other gadgets off or in silent mode at night may also help you get to sleep soundly and with no interruptions.

5. Bruxism

Some people don’t notice that they clench, grind, or gnash their teeth when awake or during sleep. This seemingly inconsequential habit, called bruxism in the medical world, could lead to chronic problems such as damaged teeth, jaw problems, and, yes, even frequent headaches.

Possible Treatment: The best way to prevent bruxism-triggered headaches is by addressing the cause. Wearing a dentist-prescribed mouth guard when sleeping can help prevent the effects of teeth grinding. Meanwhile, keeping stress at bay and practicing mindfulness may also help those who habitually grind their teeth even while awake.

6. Poor Posture

Slouching when you sit or walk can be more harmful than you think. Poor posture puts a strain on your shoulders, back, and neck muscles that may cause throbbing headaches, especially in your forehead area. People working from home and not using ergonomic chairs and tables might experience chronic tension headaches because of prolonged sitting in awkward positions.

Possible treatment: Being mindful of how you sit or stand is one of the first steps to improve your posture and reduce pains in your head, neck, shoulder, or back. Also, taking frequent breaks while working could help ease the tension caused by sitting or standing for long periods.

Summing Up

If you suffer from constant headaches, you should try to look at the underlying causes of your problem. Some may discover that their symptoms may be due to undiagnosed conditions that they need to address immediately. While for many healthy individuals, constant head pains may be triggered by environmental or lifestyle factors that could easily be prevented or treated by minor changes in their daily routines.