What Cause Headaches?

What Cause Headaches?

What Cause Headaches?

What Cause Headaches? - Headaches are extremely common – most people have a headache at some time in their life. Most headaches disappear on their own (with a little time) or with the help of mild pain relievers. Although most headaches are mild and temporary annoyances, some people have headaches that are so severe they need to consult a doctor for pain relief.

Headaches come in various forms: tension, migraine, sinus, and cluster headaches. In a small number of cases, headaches may signal a more serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.

It is imperative to know what is causing your headaches. First, you can’t treat your headaches directly by taking pills or any natural remedies; these methods will only relieve the pain in your head. Although you can take pills for occasional or once in a blue moon headache; but if you are suffering from everyday headaches then you have to know the causes of it so you can prevent or minimize your headaches from recurring.

Take note that frequent use of painkillers can cause another type of headache called “rebound headaches.” So aside from the harmful side-effects that pills give, it might cause you further problems by giving you a new kind of pain in the head.

Causes of Headaches - What Cause Headaches?

Headaches can be triggered by a variety of factors. The most common cause of headaches is prolonged tension or stress. These are called tension headaches or muscle-contraction headaches. Virtually everyone suffers from this at some time. Muscles in your scalp, neck, and face tighten and contract, causing spasms and pain. Psychological factors such as anxiety, fatigue (e.g., eyestrain), and stress (e.g., long periods of concentration) as well as mechanical factors such as neck strain (e.g., working on a computer for prolonged periods) are often the culprits behind a typical tension headache.

Sinus headaches are less common than people think. They can occur after a bout of upper respiratory infection, such as a cold. Along with the headache, people often have a runny or stuffy nose. Sinus headaches are caused when bacteria invade and infect the nasal sinuses.

Cluster headaches are a relatively uncommon type of headache. They tend to occur in clusters over a few days, weeks, or months with long headache-free periods lasting from months to years. In some cases, they are triggered by alcohol. The cause is not known.

What can you do to help yourself?

What Cause Headaches? - If the doctor has examined you without finding any serious cause for the headaches, these tips should prove helpful:

1. Avoid excessive use of alcohol and tobacco.
2. Engage in correct posture while sitting and working. The type of chair you use is important. It should be one that maximizes comfort and good posture and may need to be adjusted to suit your needs.
3. Perform relaxation techniques on a consistent basis.
4. Get plenty of fresh air and exercise.
5. Some people find that taking the natural herbal treatment Feverfew is very effective at reducing or preventing their headaches occurring. This needs to be taken daily – even if no headache is present – to have an effect. Consult your GP before starting this.