Reasons for Headaches

If you are like many people, you've probably experienced an occasional headache. They can be unpleasant, but aren't too big a deal if they aren't too painful and don't last too long. But if you get headaches often and they are painful, the first thing you should do is see a doctor. If your doctor has ruled out any serious issues, here are some reasons for headaches that may help you reduce or eliminate yours.

Food Allergies or Sensitivities

A food allergy or sensitivity can cause headaches. You may want to start keeping a log of what you eat so that you can find what may be triggering a headache for you. The most common foods that can cause problems for people are wheat, dairy, corn, soy, and food additives like nitrates and monosodium glutamate (MSG). Red wine and shellfish are two other common triggers.

Skeletal Alignment

Seeing a chiropractor regularly is a good idea for many people because they can find and correct inbalances in your skeletal and muscular alignmet. If your spine is out of alignment, it can cause body pain, including headaches. If you have muscle tension in your jaw or neck, it can cause a headache along with other issues.

Eye Strain

The amount and type of lighting along with focusing your eyes on printed material or a screen can cause a headache. The best was to avoid this is to be aware of any strain being caused by poor conditions and make corrections when possible. If your environment is good, then take a break from using your eyes every 15 minutes or so. You can do this by taking a walk, looking at something further away, or rubbing your hands together and placing them over your closed eyes.

Hydration

Not consuming enough liquid can cause a headache too. You don't have to drink plain water. You can get the liquid from fruits and vegetables. This is especially easy in the summertime when things like watermelon and cucumbers are plentiful and fresh. Eating overnight oats and soups are other ways to make sure you are getting enough liquid. If you have a headache, try getting some healthy liquids first. It could be a simple fix.

Caffeine

It may seem obvious, but if you lower the amount of caffeine you consume too quickly, you can develop a headache. You may not realize how much caffeine you are consuming, especially if you have it in different drinks like coffee, tea, energy drinks, etc. If your routine changes, you'll want to slowly lower the amount of caffeine you consume to avoid headaches. If you are going to cut back on coffee, you can substitue and bit of mild black tea. Then eventually eliminate the tea if you like.

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