Headaches are one of the most common problems and most people experience them at some point in their life. These can affect anyone, regardless of age and gender. A headache can be due to stress or emotional distress, or it can result from a medical disorder, such as migraine, anxiety, depression or high blood pressure.
Did you know that approximately 12% of Americans, including children, suffer from migraine? Migraine is more common between the ages of 18 to 44. People with chronic headaches may find it hard to attend work regularly.
You can prevent these headaches by a simple change in habits and lifestyle. You can also visit a chiropractor for headaches and find relief over time. Here are some common causes of primary headaches (that are not a result of a medical condition) :
- Lack of sleep
Getting less or improper sleep is a common cause of headaches. A study suggests that a lack of sleep increases the creation of proteins that reduce the body’s threshold for experiencing pain and can cause headaches. Some people have sleep disorders and treating these can often reduce headaches.
Sleeping well always works wonders and helps keep diseases and problems away. It is because when you sleep, your body repairs itself so that your brain and body can function well when you are awake. Good sleep should necessarily be a part of your lifestyle.
- Stress
Owing to our fast-paced lives, tensed relationships and tight work schedule, we often end up feeling stressed. This, sometimes, can cause tension headaches. It is a prevalent type of problem in which there is pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck, and is often associated with muscle tightness in these areas. The main symptom is pain on both sides of the head that may be related to muscle pain. It generally starts from teenage and is more common in females.
To keep stress at bay, one should start exercising or practising yoga, simplify one’s life, eat healthily, manage time wisely and sleep well.
- Alcohol and smoking
Alcohol has long been associated with headache, with many people noting alcohol as a trigger. Alcohol is believed to dehydrate your body, which often results in a headache. So next time you are drinking late, make sure to have enough water before you go off to sleep.
Tobacco can be a source of headaches too. Nicotine is a chemical present in tobacco which causes the blood vessels in the body to narrow. This reduces blood flow to the brain, and the reduced blood flow can trigger a headache. It is advisable to limit both of these activities to special occasions.
- Skipped meals
You may not only hear your stomach rumble but also feel an intense headache coming on if you have not had enough food to eat. Our body needs a consistent energy source in the form of food, and if you haven’t had anything to eat for a while, your blood sugar levels drop. In response, the body releases hormones that signal the brain that you are hungry. These same hormones may increase blood pressure and tighten blood vessels in your body, triggering a headache.
It is always best to not give a long gap between two meals. It not only prevents headaches but also ensures you do not stuff yourself too much from hunger.
- Poor posture
Many people do not realise the importance of proper posture in their lives. They think that headache is generally a result of stress from work or family issues. Did you know that poor posture can also give you a headache? The way you sit, stand, hold your phone or type on your computer, are some everyday tasks that, if not done correctly, can give you a headache.
Poor posture results in muscle tension and tightness and this tightness occurs all over the head and neck. So, as you are reading this, stop slouching and sit straight.
You can prevent headaches with simple changes in habits and lifestyle. Start by simplifying your life and having a positive outlook towards life. For some people, visiting a chiropractor in MD has worked wonders and have found relief from chronic headaches.