Keep getting headaches? There are various reasons as to why we can get a headache. Below are some of the most common causes of regular headaches and how to treat them.
Lack of sleep
Studies show that lack of sleep can lead to an increase in the creation of proteins in the body. These excess proteins can cause pain around the body – including headaches.
To prevent sleep headaches, you should aim to get at least 7 hours of sleep per night. Sleep quality is important too – if you’re constantly waking up in the night, this is not good quality sleep. Check out this post on how to improve your sleep quality.
Too much stress
Chronic stress is also known to lead to headaches including tension headaches and migraines. Stress constricts blood vessels, which is likely to be the cause of this.
There are many ways to reduce stress, which could prevent a headache. This includes meditating, taking a hot bath, exercising or listening to music.
Dehydration
When the body is dehydrated, the brain contracts due to lack of fluid. This can cause a nasty headache.
Dehydration headaches are often accompanied by thirst and a dry mouth. By drinking enough water throughout the day, you can usually avoid them. ‘Hangovers’ from drinking too much alcohol can also result in dehydration headaches – this is because alcohol causes excess urination. Drinking too much caffeine can have the same impact.
Poor posture
Headaches can also be caused by poor posture. If you stoop when you stand up or spend most the day leaning over a desk, you could be putting unwanted pressure on your spine. This can cause neck pain, which can also lead to headaches.
Try to make a conscious effort to adopt a good posture. Keep your back straight, your shoulders square and your chin up. If you lean over while at a desk, consider whether you need to raise your chair or your desk so that your computer is at the right height. Professionals such as chiropractors may be able to help treat aches and pains caused by poor posture as well as offering tips on how to correct your posture. There are also products you can buy to help you develop a better posture.
Staring at screens all day
On the topic of computers, another common cause of frequent headaches is bright screens. Staring at a bright screen all day can cause eye strain, which can lead to headaches. Such headaches can be worse for people with glasses due to added glare.
You should try to adopt the 20/20/20 rule to avoid headaches from eye strain – every 20 minutes, look away from the screen for 20 seconds and focus on an object 20 feet away. This can help to reduce eye strain and reduce headaches. If you wear glasses, it could also be worth looking into anti-glare glasses.
Other causes
Frequent headaches can be caused by all kinds of things. For example, migraine triggers can include anything from changes in weather to certain foods. In other cases, an injury or disease could be causing headaches. It is best to always see a doctor if you are uncertain of the cause.
Leave a Reply