Surprising Headache Triggers You Didn’t Know About!

9 Surprising Headache Triggers You Didn’t Know About!

The reason behind your headache is not always common cold or loud music. Headaches can be triggered by a host of reasons, some of which can truly surprise you.

Check these 9 unexpected reasons that can make you reach for that aspirin.

1. Your weight

A recent study revealed that people with mild obesity, which means a body mass index (BMI) of 30, were 35% more likely to get headaches than those with a lower BMI. 

In fact, those who have a BMI of 40, and are quite overweight, had their chances increased up to 80%. Why exactly this happens is yet to be determined.

2. Your manager

Excessive work pressure can cause stress; and anything that causes your stress levels to rise can make you prone to tension headaches and migraines. Stress and headaches are interrelated. 

When you feel stressed out, the nerves in your brain that relay pain become much more sensitive. This, as a consequence causes that nagging headache.

3. Sex

In a survey conducted recently, 46% people said that sex was the prime reason behind their headaches. 

This kind of headache arises as a result of overexertion, and can even be caused while exercising. 

During sex, you may feel a dull headache that either increases during foreplay or orgasm due intense physical activity. 

This type of headache is common in men and is mostly harmless.

4. Cheese and wine

Aged cheese including varieties such as cheddar, Swiss, parmesan or blue cheese contains a substance called tyramine. 

This substance is a headache trigger for many people. The more aged the cheese, the higher the chances of getting a headache after eating it.

The same holds true for red wine. Tyramine, flavonoids and other substances that are present in red wine (and other alcoholic drinks) may contribute to your headaches. 

While the relation between the two is not very clear, the changes in the levels of serotonin (which is a chemical in the brain responsible for maintaining mood balance) may give rise to headaches after alcohol consumption.

5. Your daily cuppa coffee

Caffeine in moderation can actually cure your headaches, and is a part of several headache medications. 

But too much of caffeine can be the reason behind that painful headache. This happens when the medicinal effect of caffeine wears off, triggering a worse headache than before.

Apart from that caffeine withdrawal too can cause headaches. Since caffeine is responsible for narrowing the blood vessels, which surround your brain, when you stop consuming caffeine these blood vessels expand again, which causes pain.

6. Your hair band

How you style your hair can cause a headache. Tying your hair too tightly can strain the tissue in your scalp, which causes you to experience frequent headaches. 

Whether you braid your hair, make a ponytail, or wear a tight hat, all of them can trigger a headache. Usually, letting your hair down can sort out this problem.

7. Powerful aroma

A powerful smell, even if it’s pleasing, can be the reason behind headaches in many people. Though why this happens is not very clear yet, the reason may be that strong smells can cause disturbances in your nervous system, which as a result can lead to a headache. 

Smell of perfumes, paints and certain types of flowers are the most common headache triggers in this category.

8. The weather

Weather changes, like a heat wave or a cold snap for example, can increase the chances of headache in some people. 

Very sunny, hot days with high levels of humidity, rain, strong winds, and changes in the barometric pressure levels are other common causes of headaches. 

Such weather changes trigger electrical and chemical changes in the brain, which irritate the nerves and result in a headache.

9. Unhealthy posture

A poor posture can put unnecessary pressure on your head and neck muscles, which, as a consequence, can cause headaches. 

Usually, this kind of headache originates in the base of the skull, and its effect can be felt on the face, especially in the forehead area. 

Hunching your shoulders and cradling the phone between your ear and shoulders are some of the examples of poor posture that can lead to headaches.

Stay away from these things for a headache-free life.