You
Ate a Headache "Trigger"
Everyone is different, but foods that are
more likely to cause a throbbing head include:
·
Aged cheese
·
Some fruits and nuts
·
Alcohol
·
Foods with nitrates, like hot dogs,
sausage, or bacon
·
Fermented or pickled foods like
sauerkraut or relish
·
A flavor enhancer called MSG
You can figure out your triggers if you track
what and when you eat in a food journal and notice what leads to a headache
You
Drank Too Much Alcohol Last Night
Today you pay with a hangover that includes a
throbbing head. That's because alcohol disturbs your sleep and rids your body
of liquid. You may feel tired and nauseous, too. About five to eight drinks for
men and three to five for women is enough to cause it. Re-hydrate with water,
broth, or sports drinks. Anti-inflammatory drugs can help, but avoid acetaminophen,
which is too hard on your liver when you've been drinking.
You
Had Sex
You may have a dull ache in your neck or head
that worsens as you get more sexually excited. Or it might be a throbbing
headache that arrives quickly just as you climax. Some people feel both. Most
last minutes, but it can be hours. It's usually nothing to worry about but tell
your doctor right away if you get a headache during or after sex, especially if
it never happened before or it's sudden, which could be signs of something
serious.
You
Have an Ear Infection
Bacteria or a virus may infect the air-filled
middle ear, where tiny bones vibrate to make the sounds you hear. It usually
happens fast. Fluid buildup could cause ear and head pain along with drainage
of liquid, blood, or pus. If you notice any of these symptoms, call your
doctor, who will want to watch the infection and can help you manage pain and
swelling. Most cases get better without treatment in 1-2 weeks.
You
Hit Your Head
Headaches can start right away or months
after an injury. They might be at the site of the blow or all over your skull
and may get worse when you're stressed. The cause isn't always clear, but
sometimes too much blood builds up in one spot. This is called a hematoma. In
serious cases, you may feel weak, confused, nauseous, and forgetful. See your
doctor if you have any of these symptoms or if you have a headache after
hitting your head.
You're
Hungry
Maybe you haven't had a meal in a while. It
could give you low blood sugar, which triggers a headache. It might help to
have several small meals instead of three big ones and keep healthy snacks like
nuts or veggies on hand for emergencies
You
Just Ate Ice Cream
Sometimes called an "ice cream
headache" or "brain freeze," it happens when you eat something
very cold, especially if you do it fast. Doctors aren't sure what causes it,
but it could be that the icy temperature makes the blood vessels in your mouth
shrink, which triggers pain signals to your brain. It's nothing to worry about
and is usually gone in a minute or so. Prevention is simple: Eat frosty foods
more slowly.
You
Just Worked Out
You might hurt on both sides of your head
while you exercise hard or after you're done. Running, swimming, or
weightlifting can bring it on. It's usually nothing to worry about, but it's
best to check with your doctor to be sure it's not something serious. Get
medical help right away if you also throw up, pass out, or have double vision
Your
Sinuses Are Swollen
A simple cold can inflame hollow areas behind
your cheekbones and forehead. The swelling could cause pain there that worsens
when you bend over. It might be hard to breathe because mucus, which can get
thick and yellow or green, doesn't drain properly. Over-the-counter drugs can
often help you manage it. There's no need to call your doctor unless the
symptoms are bad, don't go away, or get worse.
You
Skipped Your Morning Coffee
Your body gets used to the caffeine and
reminds you with a throbbing head if you forget to drink your regular cup. When
coffee isn't at hand, green or black tea or even dark chocolate will do. If you
want to quit your caffeine habit, don't do it all at once. Cut down by about
25% a week to get used to it.
You
Tense Your Neck and Shoulders
Do you hunch over your computer for hours or
hold your phone to your ear with your shoulder? Or maybe stress makes you tense
the muscles in your jaw. Any of these may cause "tension headaches."
A hot shower, warming pad, and over-the-counter meddication can help. Regular exercise
along with meditation and other relaxation approaches might stop it before it
starts
You
Overdo Your Pain Relievers
Even common over-the-counter medications like
aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen may cause headaches if you use them more
than 15 days a month. Prescription opioids or drugs with caffeine might do it
in just 10 days. People who get migraines are more likely to have this problem.
Your doctor can help you change your medication and give you other strategies to make
you feel better.
You've
Got the Wrong Pillow
It may give you a headache if it puts your
body in the wrong posture all night. And if you toss and turn, the lack of
sleep might also lead to a pounding head. Look for a pillow that keeps your
head and neck in line with the rest of your body, as if you are standing up.
Talk to your doctor or a physical therapist if you can't get comfortable.
Your
Vision is Blurry
You may get a headache when you try to focus
on something near your face. If you're farsighted, things look fuzzy as you get
closer to them. It could be because your eyeball is too short or the clear
covering on your eye, called the cornea, is too flat. You might be born with
it, but it starts to happen to most folks after age 40. Your doctor can help
with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or surgery that corrects the shape of your
cornea.
When
to Call 911 Emergency:
In rare cases, a headache might be a sign of
something more serious. It could be a condition that develops slowly, such as a
brain tumor. Or it could be a medical emergency, like a stroke. Call 911 if the
pain is sudden and severe or you notice any of these symptoms along with it:
·
Numbness or weakness on one side of
your face or body
·
Garbled speech or confusion
·
Trouble seeing
·
Dizziness, loss of balance
As always, stay safe, and stay healthy !
-Bird
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