What is causing your headache?

Headaches are a common ailment that affect people of all ages. While the majority of headaches are not life-threatening, they can still be a source of extreme discomfort and disruption in our daily lives. But what causes them? And how can understanding this help us relieve them?

Many factors can cause a headache, and while sometimes medication is the only answer, it’s also worth looking into your lifestyle to see if adjusting yours can help in any way.

Some people are prone to headaches and have been since they were young. Anyone who is a migraine sufferer knows all about this. Some people only get them in later life or in periods of stress; others get them in times of hormonal change – for women, this can be just before her period – or in perimenopause or menopause.

Working long hours and not getting enough sleep are other big culprits, and sometimes we get into such bad habits on this front we don’t even stop to think it’s not normal to work till late and get up early, caffeinating our way through the next day. And speaking of caffeine, depending on your genetic makeup, this can be a cause too – especially if it’s been a multi-espresso kind of day.

And stress – we all know it – and try to pretend it’s not the cause of our aching head, but it’s often directly related, especially in this fast-paced modern world we’re all racing through. Taking time for some regular guided meditation or mindfulness could really help – use an app if you find it hard to calm your mind. As little as ten minutes a day can help.

While stress, sleep and work can definitely be at the root of things, and often are, some headaches have a more tangible, more physical cause. If your sinuses (the mucous membranes of your nose) have become swollen or clogged, this can cause some awful pain in your head. Same with teeth issues. And sometimes it can be way more simple than that – you’ve rushed through the day and totally forgotten to drink enough water. Dehydration headaches are definitely a thing.

And finally, there are the headaches we deal with. When disruption in your neck or spine is causing secondary pain in your head, it can be very uncomfortable to say the least. It’s always worth checking to see if anything is out of alignment. Sometimes, a ten-minute session with your chiropractor can result in a much lighter head. We’ll be your new best friend.

So if you’re getting headaches regularly, it may be worth keeping a diary of what you’ve been doing, eating and drinking – and checking in on your work hours, stress levels and sleep to see if adjustments are needed. It is important to note that if a headache comes on suddenly, severely and extremely painfully and includes other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, confusion, drowsiness, weakness in the arms or legs, seizures, vision issues or other really out-of-the-ordinary issues, you should seek professional help immediately.