Life
7 Surprising Things That Cause Headaches & Make You Reach For The Aspirin
Headaches can range from mild inconveniences to debilitating nightmares. At their worst, migraines can make you want to curl up on the floor and scream at someone to turn off the sun. So it stands to reason that you would want to know the all the things that can cause headaches, especially the triggers that are not very well known.
Some things — such as heavy cigarette smoke or hangovers — are known headache triggers. But there are many weird headache triggers, both biological and environmental, that may surprise you. For instance, eating certain vegetables, or even venturing outside in a certain type of weather, can make your head feel all sorts of pain. Annoyingly, some pretty normal and even healthy parts of life can lead to that dreadful pounding in your brain.
Forewarned is forearmed, so learning about these triggers before they become a problem is a great way to cut down on your time spent suffering from migraines. If you suspect one of these triggers may be the real root of your headaches, it may be a good idea to work with your doctor to find a way to mitigate your headache response. And if your symptoms are particularly severe, contact a physician at once to get help.
1Sex
You read that correctly. According to the Mayo Clinic, sex-induced headaches may occur in some individuals, often cresting suddenly at the time of orgasm. The effects may last for several minutes or up to three days. If you experience headaches after a romp, then tou may want to see a doctor about these, because they may indicate a problem with the blood vessels to your brain.
2Anxiety
Research from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America suggested a potential link between anxiety disorders, depression, and migraines. Many patients, particularly those with generalized anxiety disorder, reported experiences with migraine headaches. In these cases, doctors may prescribe medications to treat both anxiety and headache pain.
3Computer Screen
Mount Sinai Hospital lists eyestrain from staring at a screen as a potential trigger for headaches. If your jo requires you to be in front of a monitor, Mount Sinai advises you to take frequent stretch breaks while working at a computer to avoid the onset of these headaches.
4Hormones
According to National Health Services, hormonal headaches may be triggered by taking the pill, undergoing menopause, or even being pregnant. Furthermore, many women have noted a link between their migraines and menstrual cycles. Patients are advised to monitor their potential hormonal headache triggers with the help of a diary, and to contact a physician if the headaches are particularly disruptive.
5Sunshine
The University of Rochester Medical Center states that bright light from many sources, including sunshine, may trigger headaches. A WebMD article suggests glasses with tinted lenses may help headache sufferers reduce the adverse affects of too much light.
6Jaw Clenching
According to the American Dental Association, headache pain may originate in your mouth: regularly clenching your jaw may trigger tension headaches. Being aware of your behavior and regularly relaxing your jaw may help, as WebMD advises.
7Onions
Onions may cause migraines too, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Other whole foods such as avocados and bananas have also been listed as headache inducers. Keeping a headache diary that includes everything you eat can help determine if certain foods are headache triggers for you.
Images: Mislav Marohnić / Flickr; Giphy (7)
