Headaches can be painful and disturbing. But many people take pain medication to manage any type of headache. Headaches have many triggers that make it hard to identify the cause. Generally, headache attacks can be a sign of a primary disorder or an underlying condition that is related or unrelated with the brain.
Many minor issues can trigger headaches, and that is why it is important to identify common headache triggers and how to prevent the problem. This article explains the leading headache triggers and what one can do to prevent or manage the pain.
Stress
Some people notice they are stressed when they have a mild headache. How does stress cause a headache? It makes the body release chemicals that lead to vascular changes in the brain. This headache is usually accompanied by sleep disturbances or oversleeping, and one feels pain along the hat band. Stress and emotional instability can cause many types of headaches, including migraine and tension headaches.
However, some people experience a headache after a stressful or mentally demanding task. This is because the stress hormones drop after stressful activity or a busy day. To prevent stress-induced headaches, it is important to avoid the temptation to oversleep on weekends or after a stressful activity. Relaxation and stress management practices can help prevent stress-caused headaches.
Bad Posture
Many employers invest in ergonomic furniture to ensure staff are comfortable in the workplace. However, some offices have old and poorly designed chairs that contribute to poor posture. Over time, employees who work for long hours start experiencing headaches that start from the base of the skull. The pain may spread to the shoulders and upper back or shoulders.
It is easy to treat and prevent headaches caused by poor posture. Officer workers should sit upright and adjust the height of the seat or desk depending on the task at hand. Health experts recommend taking short breaks and exercising every few hours to relax the muscles.
Bright Light
Glare and flickering light can cause migraines because of changes in brain chemicals. This is why some people have headache attacks when they walk in the sun or have flickering lights. Spending long hours watching or using computers and mobile phones can also trigger headaches due to eyestrain.
To reduce the risk of headache caused by bright light, one should limit screen time and use sunglasses. Sunglasses reduce light intensity and screen glare. This prevents eyestrain and fatigue. One should avoid flickering fluorescent bulbs and other sources of excessive light that may affect the eyes.
Nicotine and Caffeine
Substances containing these two chemicals can cause a headache or treat it. For example, a cup of coffee and a few puffs of tobacco can prevent headaches for people who are used to coffee or smoking. However, too much coffee or exposure to tobacco smoke can make nonsmokers experience headaches.
Caffeine is a common ingredient in painkillers because it increases the rate of absorption of pain medication in the body. But overusing caffeine and nicotine-containing substances can trigger headaches. So, it is advisable to maintain a balance to prevent rebound headache when the boost from these chemicals reduces afterwards.
Less common headache triggers include hypertension, allergies, hormonal changes, perfumes and sleeping problems. It is not always easy to identify the trigger, but paying attention to patterns can help a person identify the cause and prevent recurring headaches. If the headache is persistent, regardless of the trigger, it is advisable to seek treatment immediately.