The seven most common causes of headaches

Headaches are an indication that something is hanging on the front door of your brain. You could blame it on world events or something you ate or drank, and you'd be correct. Food, drink, bright light, or stress may be the cause of your headaches. Knowing your triggers may help you stay away from them. Migraines, tension headaches, and cluster headaches can all be triggered by a variety of factors.

You can prevent headaches in the future by being aware of their causes. However, pinpointing triggers can be challenging, particularly if you have a variety of them. To record the day, time, signs, and events surrounding a headache by keeping a headache diary, which can include what you eat, what time it started, and what you were doing when it started.

You might try to avoid certain triggers if you can link your headache pain to them. If that doesn't work, consult your physician. Many prescription drugs and non-drug treatments (acupuncture, meditation, biofeedback, and relaxation therapy) can help reduce headache frequency. 

The following are three types of headaches and their symptoms:

Tension Headache. A tight band of pain frequently surrounds your head after beginning in the neck and back. With relaxation, it frequently disappears.

Migraine headache. You become sensitive to light and sound, and the pain usually starts on one side of your head and throbs or pounds. It might make you sick. Hours or days may pass between migraine attacks.

Cluster headache. A cluster headache is characterised by stabbing pains in the eyes. It could result in a runny nose, nasal congestion, or eye tears or redness. It could occur for a short while or for several hours, disappear, and return numerous times daily. These cluster headaches can last for several months before going away and returning a long time later.

Causes of headache?

Lack of sleep. 

Migraines and tension headaches are linked to a lack of sleep. Getting enough sleep can help with pain alleviation. A snooze can sometimes make individuals feel better.

Drinking alcohol. 

A migraine headache, sometimes known as a cluster headache, is a stabbing pain in the eye that can linger for hours, goes away temporarily, and return multiple times per day. A few ounces of red wine is all it takes for some people to get a headache, but any type of alcohol can be a trigger. It's unclear whether the condition is caused by the alcohol or by another component in the drink. 

Hormones. 

Women are more likely than men to suffer from migraines, which are linked to changes in estrogen levels. In younger women, menstrual cycles may be linked to migraines. During perimenopause, estrogen levels fluctuate, which can cause migraines in women who have never had them previously. Estrogen therapy has been linked to migraines. In most women, menopause appears to be the end of migraines.

Withdrawal from caffeine. 

If you typically consume caffeine in the form of coffee or tea, immediately ceasing to do so may cause a migraine. This could be because caffeine causes blood vessels to constrict; without caffeine, blood vessels widen and bulge out with each heartbeat, which is one of the main reasons for migraines' pounding pain.

Stress.

 Tensed muscles in the shoulders and neck can be caused by stress. This frequently results in a tension headache, which begins in the neck and back and progresses to a tight band around your skull. When tension headaches become common, the brain interprets discomfort in the shoulder and neck muscles as pain in the head. A migraine headache, which starts on one side of the head, throbs or pounds, makes you sensitive to light and sound, and can linger for hours or days, is another common trigger.

Environment.

 Cluster headaches appear to be seasonal, occurring most frequently in the spring and fall. Migraine headaches are linked to environmental elements such as bright light, smoke, humidity, strong odours, or cold weather.

Diet. 

Certain meals are known to cause migraine headaches. Migraines can be triggered by a single item, such as beans or nuts, or by a combination of foods, such as avocados, bananas, cheese, chocolate, citrus, herring, dairy products, and onions. Nitrates, yellow food colours, and monosodium glutamate are all hazardous in processed foods.