13 Surprising Triggers of Your Headaches
Headaches are one of the most common health complaints in the world.
Almost everyone has a headache every now and then.
But for some people, they can occur weekly or even daily.
These chronic headaches can impact your ability to function and enjoy life.
In this video, we cover triggers that many people don't know about.
These can lead to migraine attacks as well as tension-type headaches.
By understanding potential triggers, you'll be able to prevent these headaches before
they become a major issue for you.
So let's get right to it!
Number 1 - CERTAIN FOODS
You may be surprised to learn that certain foods can trigger headaches.
Eating meats preserved with nitrates such as cold cuts, deli meats, and hot dogs, can
trigger headaches in some people.
The same goes for tyramine, an organic substance found in various foods, particularly those
that have been aged, marinated, smoked, or pickled such as cheeses, sauerkraut, pickles,
and tofu.
Citrus fruits like orange, grapefruit, lemon, lime, and tangerine also contain high levels
of tyramine.
And so do alcoholic drinks such as red wine and beer.
If you consume a lot of these substances, they can accumulate in your system over time
and contribute to recurring headaches.
Number 2 - STRONG SMELLS
Headaches are often triggered by strong odors, such as perfume, paint, gasoline, and cigarette
smoke.
The key to understanding why this happens is to remember that your sense of smell is
linked with your trigeminal nerve, which is also responsible for your ability to feel
pain in your face.
This means that when you're exposed to an odor that irritates or inflames the nerve
endings in your nose, it also stimulates the trigeminal nerve and causes pain signals in
the brain, which we perceive as a headache!
Number 3 - MEDICATION OVERUSE
Medication overuse headaches, or rebound headaches, are the most common type of headache disorder.
They're typically caused by too much pain medication.
They happen when you take more than your doctor prescribed in an effort to relieve your symptoms.
The problem is that taking too many painkillers can actually cause more pain and you end up
without getting any relief at all!
Number 4 - DEHYDRATION
Dehydration is a common headache trigger.
It can cause headaches in a mild form, but it can also be the main cause of severe headaches,
such as migraines.
Many people wait until they feel thirsty before they drink water, but that can be too late.
By then, dehydration has already set in.
That's another reason you should drink plenty of water, even if you are not thirsty.
This is especially important when exercising or when the weather is hot, since your body
loses more fluid during those times.
Number 5 - CAFFEINE
Caffeine is a stimulant, which means that it speeds up your body and mind.
Coffee, tea, and chocolate are all familiar sources.
Many people consume caffeine to help them stay alert during the day, but it can cause
headaches if you're sensitive to it.
Going cold turkey after consuming large quantities of caffeine over time may also lead to withdrawal
symptoms like headaches, as well as anxiety and insomnia, which are both known triggers
for migraines!
Number 6 - BAD POSTURE
Studies show that bad posture may have a lot to do with headaches.
One study found that people who continuously use hand-held tech devices like a phone or
tablet for more than two hours a day are prone to headaches.
Another study found that working in front of a computer screen for longer periods can
also cause headaches.
The reason?
When you're in an unnatural position or hold your neck at an awkward angle, it can put
stress on your muscles and lead to tension headaches.
Sleeping with your head in a flexed position like sleeping on too many pillows, can also
cause pain due to tension buildup from increased pressure on sensitive nerves and blood vessels
within the neck region.
Number 7 - CHANGES IN WEATHER
Most people are aware of how changes in the weather can affect their mood.
But many people are not aware that it can also trigger headaches.
A study revealed that a barometric rise and fall can cause headaches because it triggers
the trigeminal nerve inside your sinuses.
An increase in humidity and temperature can set off migraine attacks as well.
Number 8 - BRIGHT LIGHTS
Bright lights are another common headache trigger.
That's because they activate nerves in the part of the brain that is responsible for
sight.
Artificial lighting, such as fluorescent lights, can be a culprit because the light is distributed
poorly.
This causes you to squint and strain your eyes throughout the day, leading to headaches
and migraines.
The same goes for flashing lights, like strobe lights at a nightclub or a concert.
Number 9 - REACTIVE HYPOGLYCEMIA
This is a condition where blood sugar levels drop rapidly after eating, another surprising
trigger of headaches!
Consuming excessive amounts of simple carbohydrates, such as white sugar and pasta, can be particularly
triggering.
Skipping meals and fasting are also known to trigger migraines due to blood sugar fluctuations.
Number 10 - STRENUOUS WORKOUTS
You may be surprised to learn that strenuous activity can sometimes lead to headaches.
This is particularly true if you generally don't exercise much, and then suddenly you
start a high-intensity workout regimen like running (and end up doing three miles on your
first day).
The exact reason for this is unknown.
But one theory is that strenuous exercise dilates blood vessels inside the skull to
allow for more blood flow, creating pressure and causing pain.
Number 11 - TIGHT HAIRSTYLES
If you wear your hair in a tight ponytail, bun, or braid, you put yourself at risk of
developing headaches.
This is because these styles pull the hair and put pressure on the skull.
The constant pulling can result in migraines as well as tension headaches that occur near
your temples or forehead.
Also, when you put your hair up in a tight style and then take it down later, your blood
vessels may dilate from having been constricted for some time.
This dilation causes increased blood flow to your brain, increasing pressure within
your cranial cavities, resulting in pain.
Number 12 - CHANGES IN SLEEP
If you experience headaches and migraines, you need to pay attention to your sleep.
Studies have found that the amount of sleep we get affects how often we get headaches.
As a matter of fact, getting too little or too much sleep can result in a headache!
If you're not getting enough restful slumber, it can lead to stress and fatigue that manifests
as a throbbing pain in your head.
The same can happen if you oversleep.
Your body will feel sluggish and tired due to neurotransmitter fluctuations, which can
cause headaches.
Jet lag and changes in your work schedule can also contribute to the onset of a migraine.
Number 13 - PRESCRIPTION GLASSES
It's not uncommon to experience a minor headache the first few days after getting new glasses,
but this should pass.
Now, if the prescription is incorrect, it can result in persistent eye strain as your
eyes work too hard to see correctly, which can lead to headaches.
Another common headache trigger is eyewear with heavy frames or poorly positioned lenses
that cause pressure on your face.
This leads to increased tension in the muscles around the eyes.
If you've been affected by any of these triggers, don't be discouraged!
It may take some trial and error to figure out which ones affect you the most so that
eventually, you can avoid them altogether and, hopefully, feel better.
The best way to do this is by keeping a headache journal.
This will help you identify patterns in your triggers and allow you to prevent a headache
before it starts.
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