Surprising Headache Causes

Surprising Headache Causes

By Vicki Salemi

If you're experiencing the throbbing sensation of a headache you're not alone. According to the National Headache Foundation, over 45 million Americans have chronic recurring headaches, one in four households has a migraine and seventy percent of migraine sufferers are women. Certain physical or environmental factors may trigger?headaches, creating varying intensities. Here, we uncover the ten most unusual causes.


Too Many Pain Relievers

"Overuse of headache pain relievers is one of the biggest causes of headaches, especially if you exceed package instructions or take it on a daily basis," says Suzanne Simons, executive director of the National Headache Foundation. This actually worsens your headache problems. Since over-the-counter medicine is easy to get, people tend to self-medicate too much. Plus, OTC headache meds contain caffeine and if you already drink coffee, you're ingesting too much caffeine.


Relaxing After a High Stress Period

"A sudden change in stress levels will cause an imbalance in the body, so headaches result," says Dr. Karla Umpierre, clinical psychologist, MIAMI Institute.While the body adapts and responds to periods of long stress, when the stress suddenly subsides, there is a sudden drop in blood pressure. Plus, other chemical reactions occur can cause headaches. "Even when the body adjusts to high levels of stress, this will eventually exhaust the brain."


Bottled-Up Anger

Ever felt like you're bottling up anger? You're not alone. Dr. Umpierre explains, "Bottled up anger acts as an internal agent of stress in the body thus causing chemical changes in the brain that can lead to headaches." In fact, depression has also been correlated to headaches, since it's considered anger turned inward.Simons adds, "It's good to be aware of what makes you angry and how to manage it to decrease the chances of getting a headache. For example, take a ten minute walk to clear your head."


Poor Posture

Stop slouching! According to Dr. Mark Schlesinger, chairman of the department of anesthesiology at, Hackensack University Medical Center, poor posture can trigger a headache. "Poorposture causes stress in your upper back, neck and shoulders. The pain-sensitive unnecessary tension of the neck and skull are serviced by a central nerve." Therefore, irritation of this nerve may result in a headache. He adds, "Typically the pain throbs in the base of the skull and sometimes flashes into the face, particularly the forehead."


Strong Aromas

If you think housework is giving you a headache, you're right...sort of.After all, it depends on what type of household cleaners you're using since they have specific chemicals which can cause a headache. Dr. Schlesinger says, "Strong odors may activate the nose's nerve cells, which stimulate the nerve system associated with head pain." As for his advice? Avoid heavy perfumes, fragranced air fresheners, household cleaners and strong-smelling soaps, shampoos and conditioners.


The Weather

Believe it or not, changes in the weather can cause a headache. Falling into the category of vascular/vasculochemical triggers, weather changes are accompanied by changes in barometric pressure and oxygen levels. General practitioner Dr. Maurice Ramirez and founding chair, American Board of Disaster Medicine, explains, "Vascular triggers change blood flow resulting either in tender, swollen blood vessels or narrowed, spasmed vessels. This effect may be physical such as barometric pressure change."


Headbands/Ponytails

Your hair accessory may be giving you a headache, no matter how cute the headband or hair elastic. Tight hats will cause a similar sensation as well. Dr. Schlesinger explains, "Tight headbands and/or ponytails may cause headaches because the tissue under your scalp muscles have nerve fibers, which may become irritated by tight headbands and ponytails."


Grinding Teeth at Night

According to Dr. Todd Barsky, DDS, Board Certified Prosthodontist, Cosmetic and Reconstructive Dentistry, MIAMI Institute, "Excessive tooth contact causes sustained jaw?muscle contraction creating the symptoms of fatigue, pain, spasms and headaches." Not only can tooth grinding cause headaches due to sustained jaw muscle contraction, it can wear down the teeth as well. As for his recommendation? A custom-made night guard that separates your teeth and reduces the intensity of the muscle contraction.


Bright Lights

Bright lights, big city, even bigger headache. "It is known that bright lights and certain light spectrums can induce migraine headaches," explains Dr. Schlesinger. "These headaches can also be triggered by flickering lights even if the flicker isn't extremely obvious." Dr. Ramirez adds that bright lights are a neurochemical trigger. He says, "Changes in the levels of these neurochemicals in the brainstem activate the migraine?center."