Millions of people suffer from headaches on an acute or chronic basis. Whichever one you may have to deal with, it’s great to know what triggers your condition. That way, you can either avoid them or at least take some preemptive action to lessen your discomfort. While you might have heard of a few common triggers, others might surprise you.
15 headache triggers
Most of the time, headaches happen for obvious reasons like stress or being around loud noises, but what about those headaches that seem to sneak up on you out of nowhere? Well, here are a few reasons for those mystery headaches and what you can do about them.
1. Jumping Straight Into Your Workout
Warming up before your workout doesn't just help to protect your muscles, it also gives your brain an opportunity to adjust to rising adrenaline levels. Avoid headaches by taking a short five or 10 minutes to stretch or walk before doing more intense exercise.
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2. Your Workouts Are Too Much For You
Once you begin that intense workout, it is important to know your limits. Exercise is healthy but overworking your body can have the opposite effect. It’s particularly likely that you’ll have tension headaches. If this happens, you should talk to your doctor about it and see how you can modify your exercise routine.
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3. You Have the Day Off
Who doesn't love sleeping in late on a Saturday or having a three-day weekend? It feels good, but the change in routine could cause headaches. This is especially common if your body is accustomed to getting a caffeine jolt every morning and you disturb that groove. Even on your downtime, try to keep your sleep schedule as close to normal to feel more rested and in your right mind.
4. You’re Not Sleeping Well
There’s no doubt that sleeping well helps your body function better. When people have a problem sleeping, they are most at risk for developing cluster headaches and other rare conditions. If you can’t get a good night’s sleep, talk to your doctor about your options.
5. Your Weight
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine found that obese people experience frequent headaches nearly two times more than adults at a healthy weight. Shed the excess pounds with changes in diet and exercise.
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6. You’re Eating The Wrong Things
Certain foods have been shown to spark a headache more than others. Processed meats like cold cuts, red wine, cheese, and caffeinated drinks are some of the likely culprits. It’s best to cut down on how often you include these foods in your diet or don’t eat them at all.
7. Chewing Gum
The repetitive motion of chewing could cause a headache, but more surprisingly, a key ingredient could be the cause
of a sudden headache: aspartame. This artificial sweetener is found in many popular brands of sugar-free gum and has been linked to numerous serious health issues. Replace your gum with mints (be sure to check the labels for aspartame).
8. You’re Not Drinking Enough Water
Water is vital to all of your body’s systems so not having enough can affect how well things function. This trigger is commonly reported but people still have trouble ensuring that they’re properly hydrated. It can help to drink water consistently throughout the day or have scheduled water breaks.
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9. Your Job
If you spend the bulk of your day in front of a computer screen under fluorescent lights (or sunlight if you're lucky enough to have a coveted window seat), the glare bouncing off your computer screen affects certain cells in your eyes and can frequently trigger headaches. Give your eyes a rest by taking frequent breaks and covering your computer screen with an anti-glare shield.
10. The Weather Has Changed
According to a recent study, changes in atmospheric pressure can affect headaches. Of course, there isn’t much you can do about the weather but you can be prepared for how it might make you feel. Keep hydrated and have painkillers handy.
11. Your Hairstyle
If you like putting your hair in a tight ponytail, then a headache could be in your future. These headaches usually originate from where the hair tie has been put in so loosening it will alleviate the pain and pressure. It’s a good idea to wear less restrictive hairstyles in the future.
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12. There Are Bright Patterns Around You
Tightly grouped lines have been found to cause headaches in a select group of people. If this has happened to you then you’re not alone. The best thing to do is avoid looking at these kinds of patterns. A bright glare or dim light can have a similar effect.
13. You Have Poor Posture
Slumping or slouching can cause tension headaches as well. If you often find yourself slouching in your chair, it could be a sign that you need one that is a better fit for you. It can also help if you practice exercises that improve your overall posture.
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14. The Air Isn’t Clean Enough
Another surprising headache trigger could be your environment. Car exhaust and air pollution can cause headaches because of the pollutants that are involved. The best course of action is to avoid poor environmental conditions as much as possible. If you must be there, it’s best to limit that exposure as much as possible.
15. You’ve Been Smoking
The contents of cigarette smoke can cause irritation that escalates into a headache. It’s best to walk away from the cigarettes as soon as possible and find helpful measures that work for you. If you’re exposed to secondhand smoke regularly, it helps to look into the ways that you can limit that as well.
Once you learn to identify and manage your headache triggers, it can lessen how often your life is disrupted. Since triggers can change over time, health experts suggest keeping a diary where you can write down any reactions you have to new situations.
Visit the BlackDoctor.org Headaches and Migraines center for more articles.
