Discovering the Cause of Headaches
Cause of Headaches
Understanding the cause of headaches is important because then they can be more effectively prevented and/or treated. One of the most common, and painful, types of headaches is the migraine. Millions of people suffer from migraine headaches, and find them debilitating when they occur. By familiarizing yourself with the cause of migraine headaches, you can get a better handle on how to prevent and treat your migraines. Because everyone is different, what triggers a migraine in one individual may not trigger it in another. It helps to keep a headache diary so you and your doctor can analyze your migraines and look for recurring patterns.
Genetics are thought to be one of the main causes of migraine headaches. While not a trigger, genetics predispose an individual to these headaches. If one or more of your relatives suffers from migraines, it is possible you will experience them also. According to the Mayo Clinic, changes in the trigeminal nerve may be one of the causes of migraine headaches. Another factor may be imbalanced brain chemicals such as serotonin. Serotonin works to regulate pain in the nervous system so when it drops this can trigger the release of neuropeptides from the trigeminal system — with the result being a migraine headache.
There are migraine headaches causes that are called triggers. By identifying and avoiding your triggers whenever possible you can sometimes prevent the onset of a migraine headache. One trigger that you may not be able to prevent if you are female is hormonal fluctuations. Menstruation, menopause and even pregnancy can trigger migraines. Something you can manage is your stress level. Stress due to your job, home life or any other factor can be a migraine trigger. There are some foods that trigger migraines in certain individuals. They include chocolate, alcohol, MSG, aged cheese and excessive caffeine.
Changes in your sleep habits may also be a factor. Getting too much sleep or not enough can trigger these painful headaches. Overstimulation to light and sound may also contribute. And, some medications may have the side effect of causing migraines. As you can see, there are many potential triggers when it comes to migraines. Therefore, determining the cause of headaches you are experiencing may only be possible after tracking them for awhile and looking for your unique triggers. While writing in a journal may be the last thing on your mind when experiencing a migraine, you should write down details including what you did, ate or drank before the headache as soon as you are able.
