subject: The Real Deal about What Causes Headaches [print this page] The Real Deal about What Causes Headaches
If you want to find relief from headaches, you also need to know what causes headaches. Of course, before you can determine the possible causes of headaches, you need to know what type of headache you are experiencing.
Headaches come in many forms. There are different types of headaches because they are a result of various factors. Most of them are also noted as symptoms of serious medical conditions. It is for this reason that you should not disregard your headaches no matter how mild they may be. For as long as they are recurring and if they seem to be getting worse, seeing a doctor for proper diagnosis is the best step to make.
With the wide list for "what causes headaches", you need to also analyze if it is acting out as a symptom for an underlying condition or as a result of trauma or injury. If you disregard it, it can range from eyestrain and the inflammation of the sinus cavities to encephalitis, cerebral aneurysms, brain cancer and other life-threatening conditions. As mentioned earlier, there are times when headaches are a result of a head injury. For other causes of headaches, they can be more elusive. There are also those who experience it if they are dehydrated or hungry.
Among the different types of headaches, the most common is tension headaches. Studies show that they can be lined to migraines, muscle contractions, cluster headaches and blood vessel dilation. Since our head has pain sensitive structures like membranous coverings of the brain, blood vessel walls and scalp muscles when there is contraction or dilation, the person will experience a headache. Sinus inflammation is also one example of a common cause of headache. There are doctors who even suggest keeping a headache diary. This way, you can keep track of menstrual phases, stressful occurrences, medications or even foods that trigger your headaches.
Depression, stress and anxiety are also known to cause headaches. This is just the same when a person doesn't get enough sleep, when they overwork, miss meals and use alcohol/drugs. For foods that cause headaches, they are: cheese, chocolate, MSG or monosodium glutamate and even caffeine.
A person's type of work or profession can also trigger headaches. This is especially if your work deals with holding your head in one position for a very long time. Writers, drivers and laboratory technicians among others are noted to be susceptible to tension headaches. If you are also used to sleeping in an abnormal position or in a cold room, you can also get headaches. You also need to stop clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth because these may also trigger headaches.
If you are only experiencing tension headaches, these are still considered as mild cases. However, if you are experiencing migraines of cluster headaches most of the time, you need to see a doctor for relief and treatment. If you are in your 50s and you start experiencing headaches for the first time, you may be suffering from a condition known as "temporal arteriitis". Other symptoms of this condition include pain that is aggravated by chewing and impaired vision. This condition, according to doctors, can put you at risk of becoming blind. Therefore, it is important that you see your doctor right away.
There are also rare causes of headaches. This includes brain aneurysms, stroke, brain tumor, encephalitis and meningitis.
