12 Surprising Headache Triggers

Headache Trigger 1: Your Boss

More specifically: (work) stress can cause tension headaches or even a hefty migraine. The exact cause of this is still unknown, but scientists suspect that it has to do with hypersensitive nerves in the brain. In any case, stress causes increased muscle tension and that in itself is a headache trigger.

Headache trigger 2: the weather

Changes in air pressure or a lot of sun and very hot: it often causes a headache. Unfortunately you cannot change the weather. It can help to wear sunglasses on sunny days, drink plenty of water and avoid the sun during the hottest part of the day. If necessary, take preventive medicines in consultation with your doctor in case of an imminent heat wave.

Headache Trigger 3: Strong Odors

Strong odors are a headache trigger for many people, regardless of whether they smell bad or smell good. Not everyone is equally susceptible; it probably has to do with the nervous system. The best-known culprits are paint, perfume and some flowers, such as lilies.

Headache Trigger 4: Hair Accessories

A tight ponytail pulls the scalp together with the well-known ‘hair pain’ as a result. Hair bands, braids and hats or caps that are too tight have the same effect. In this case, letting go of your hair is a good solution.

Headache Trigger 5: Exercise

Intense exercise — including that in the bedroom — can sometimes trigger headaches. Exercise headache is very similar to migraine and can arise with any activity. It is most commonly seen at runners and more often in women than in men.

Headache Trigger 6: Bad Posture

Shrugged shoulders, an office chair with insufficient support for the lower back, a computer screen that is not adjusted to the correct height or the telephone clamped between head and shoulder: a bad (working) posture causes tension headaches. If you regularly have headaches, it is therefore wise to take a closer look at your posture. Also think about your standing posture, your sitting posture and your sports posture. If it doesn’t give you a headache, you’ll walk a iPad neck on.

Headache Trigger 7: Old Cheese

If you are sensitive to it, the substance tyramine in old cheese cause a headache. This so-called ‘cheese syndrome’ is characterized by a sudden rise in blood pressure and stabbing headaches. The longer the cheese matures, the higher the tyramine content. Blue cheese, Parmesan cheese and cheddar can also provoke an attack.

Headache Trigger 8: Red Wine

Tyramine is unfortunately not only in cheese. You can also find it in Red wine, chocolate, sauerkraut and soy preparations. But red wine contains more substances that can trigger a headache attack, namely alcohol, fusel alcohols, amines and flavanoid phenols. Incidentally, sulfites are often seen as the culprit for the headaches. This is incorrect. Although wine does indeed contain small amounts of sulfites, this rarely causes headaches and only in people who are hypersensitive to it.

Headache trigger 9: cold cuts

prepackaged meats Not only do they often contain tyramide, but also preservatives such as nitrate, which trigger headaches in some people. Headaches caused by preservatives generally occur on both sides of the head; this is in contrast to classic migraines, which are usually concentrated on one side of the head.

Headache Trigger 10: Skipping Meals

Hunger headaches are not always recognized as such, because this type of headache often occurs before you notice that you are hungry. The problem is the sudden dip in your blood sugar. Never try to cure hunger headaches with something sweet. This gives the blood sugar level only a short boost, after which it drops further.

Headache Trigger 11: Smoking

Smoking is a known headache trigger. Secondhand smoke also contains nicotine, which causes the blood vessels in the head to constrict. Quit smoking and to prevent second-hand smoke as much as possible, especially with cluster headache good to help.

Headache Trigger 12: Caffeine

Caffeine is an odd one out. When used in moderation, it can provide relief from headaches. It’s even in painkillers. But too much of it can cause headaches. And if you are a real coffee addict, the complaints will only worsen when you take a reduction.