Headaches aren’t just an inconvenience, they can be incredibly debilitating. They stop us from enjoying life, completing simple tasks and earning a living. Chronic, frequent headaches can lead to nausea, anxiety, disturbed sleep and even depression if left untreated or unexplained.
Types of headaches include cluster, tension and migraine, all of which come with their own signs and symptoms. However the root causes of these headaches are often the same and if you’re able to identify these causes and what triggers your pain, you’ll be able to do something about it and improve your quality of life.
Here we’ll explore some interesting reasons that might explain your frequent headaches.
Your glasses prescription is out of date
If your eyes are strained daily, then headaches are incredibly likely. If you haven’t had your eyes tested in over a year, then there could be a connection between your vision and your headache problems. Once you’ve visited your optometrist, you can purchase prescription lenses from EyeBuyDirect and have all your vision needs catered for. Whether you need bifocals or progressive lenses, lenses specifically for reading or special coatings on your lenses to support your vision requirements, you’ll find everything you need in one place.
Getting your eyes checked is incredibly important, it not only keeps your prescription up to date but also helps your specialist to spot any potential eye problems before they take hold.
You’re stressed
Modern life is relentless. Whether you’re struggling with personal issues, or you’re trying to beat a deadline, coping with high work volumes or you’re worried about everyone and everything, stress can play an important role in identifying the causes of your headaches. Stress makes us feel incredibly tense which tightens our muscles and causes discomfort – it’s this tension that starts in the back and neck, moving into the head and triggering a headache. Identifying what is causing your high levels of stress and then finding better ways to cope with the pressures you’re under can help keep your stress-levels in check.
Your hormones
Frustratingly, headaches and migraines can be linked to the menstrual cycle, which means they’re a monthly occurrence for some women. As your estrogen levels fluctuate throughout the month, your body reacts in different ways, from bloating and a decreased sex drive to mood swings and debilitating headaches. Managing your other menstrual symptoms may help you cope with your headaches better. If the problem persists, reach out to your doctor.
You’re not getting enough sleep
Not enough sleep leaves our bodies feeling tense and drained. It’s this discomfort that leads to headaches. If you’re someone who suffers from headaches because you’re not getting enough sleep during the day, consider taking nap or adjusting your bedtime routine for better sleep.
And finally, your diet
For some people, it’s their diet that triggers headaches and migraines. Identifying a food intolerance could be the key to preventing those headaches and enjoying a better quality of life. Foods such as dairy, citrus and heavily processed foods with high levels of sodium are common culprits.