We all
get fleeting headaches from time to time. They come without warning, annoy us
for a few minutes or hours and eventually fade away.
But
when headaches occur frequently or cause intense pain, it can be disruptive to
your everyday life and wellbeing.
There
are a few types of headaches and the symptoms of each present differently.
Migraines can be especially disabling and severe, and are often one-sided
throbbing pains associated with nausea and sensitivity to light, sound and
smell. Tension headaches are often a mild, dull-ache that is not one-sided and
often lacks the typical sensitivities of a migraine.
As a
headache specialist, my first recommendation for anyone experiencing frequent
or severe headaches is to start keeping track with a headache calendar. This
will help you log when your headaches are occurring so you can identify trends
or patterns — and hopefully nail down a cause.
But
don’t be surprised if you don’t find triggers, as headaches can be due to
various causes. Here are five possible reasons behind your headaches.
Your diet
Many of
my patients find that certain foods can trigger their headaches. A
common element in many trigger foods for headaches is monosodium glutamate, or
MSG. MSG is a flavor enhancer that can be found in many canned vegetables and
soups, processed meats, sauces and Chinese food.
Besides
MSG, other foods commonly linked to headaches include some types of fish,
cheeses, processed meats, fermented foods and alcoholic beverages. But this
doesn’t mean you should immediately eliminate all of these foods from your
diet. You might only be susceptible to a small number of dietary triggers, or
possibly none at all.
Many
people find that removing processed foods in favor of a healthy, fresh diet
eliminates or reduces their headaches.However, every diet has risks and
benefits, and what works for one patient may not work for another. Talk to a
headache specialist about what dietary changes might be right for your health
needs.
Your stress level
Stress of any kind — physical, emotional,
financial, marital, etc. — can be a significant factor for headaches. If you
are struggling to cope with stress, it can take a toll on your body and for
some people, cause headaches. I often treat patients who have experienced a
traumatic event such as the loss of a loved one or a divorce.
Too
often, we ignore the connection between our mental and physical health, but it
is important to care for both. It is important to identify the source of your
stress and find ways to relax. Don’t be afraid to ask for
help.
Your caffeine consumption
Although
that morning cup of joe can give you a helpful boost, if you’re having several
cups of coffee a day, that could be the cause of your headaches. In small
amounts, some patients feel that caffeine helps with headaches and provides
them alertness to continue with their day.
However,
too much caffeine can put a person at risk of “caffeine withdrawal symptoms”
and as a result, may trigger headaches. Daily and large amounts of caffeine
intake can also lead to “rebound headaches.” Remember, it’s not just coffee —
teas, decaffeinated beverages, energy drinks, sodas, over-the counter
medications and weight loss pills may have larger amount of caffeine than you
realize.
I
recommend my patients consume no more than 200 mg of caffeine per day. In
someone who has chronic migraines, avoiding caffeine completely may actually be
helpful, but as always, work out a plan with a headache specialist.
Your menstrual cycle
For
some women, headaches occur regularly along with their menstrual cycle. If you
notice that your headache starts two days before and ends three days into your
cycle, menstrual cycle may be a trigger for you.
Menstrual
migraines can often be prolonged and severe, but are not difficult to treat.
These migraines often occur due to fluctuations in your estrogen levels. If
they are debilitating, using medications such as triptans or preventative drugs
can help. Often, these patients may also have migraines on other days unrelated
to their menstrual cycle.
Your sleep schedule (or lack thereof)
You
might be aware that lack of sleep can cause headaches, but it’s also true that
some people experience headaches from too much sleep. This is most
commonly an issue for teenagers or college students who keep a very different
sleep schedule during the week than on weekends.
If
you’re using Saturday and Sunday mornings to make up for not getting enough
sleep during the week, that could be causing your headaches. Try to maintain a
consistent sleep schedule to avoid the effects of both lack of sleep and
oversleeping.
Headaches
are not something you should just learn to live with. If you’re dealing with
persistent or severe headaches, a headache specialist can help.
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