You're too stressed
New research confirms stress is literally a headache. German
researchers followed more than 5,000 people for two years and found that
the more stressed you are, the greater your likelihood of suffering
both tension-type and migraine headaches. For every 10-point increase on
a 100-point stress scale there was a 6.3 percent rise in the number of
headaches people reported. What you can do: Schedule a massage,
especially during stressful times. Researchers at the University of
Granada found just one 30-minute rub down using a trigger point
technique—which targets areas that calm the fight-or-flight
response—decreased anxiety and physical tension associated with the
noggin nuisance.
You're not drinking enough water
When researchers in the Netherlands split frequent headache
sufferers into two groups—only one was asked to consume an extra six
glasses of water per day—about half of the people in the water-guzzling
group experienced a decrease in pain and severity of their headaches,
but only 25 percent of the non-water group. One theory as to why:
Dehydration causes your blood volume to drop, which may result in
dilated blood vessels that trigger pain signals. Keep a water bottle
nearby and aim to sip at least eight glasses per day.
You chew too much gum
Fresh breath could come at a cost: When researchers at Meir
Medical Center in Tel Aviv asked gum-chewing headache suffers to give up
their chicklets for a month, 86 percent reported improvements in their
symptoms and many experienced total relief. The artificial sweetener
aspartame may trigger the throbbing and the repetitive act of chewing
could create muscle tension in your jaw and skull. Ditch the sticks or
replace them with aspartame-free mints for a month and see if your
symptoms improve.
You're depressed
Guys are more likely to suffer physical symptoms of
depression—such as headaches, dizziness, and digestive issues—than
women. Since feeling like your skull is being squeezed in a vise isn't
as obvious a symptom as sadness or crying, depression can drag on
undetected. Even more: University of Oxford researchers suggest that
depression may affect your neurocircuitry in a way that enhances your
perception of pain. Noticing an uptick in headaches recently? Be on the
lookout other signs of depression such as difficulty sleeping, anger,
irritability, or an increase in drinking and seek help.
You have Lyme disease
If you've recently trekked outside in wooded or grassy areas,
Lyme disease is a legitimate concern—and headaches are one of the most
common symptoms. In fact, Lyme disease is far more common than
previously thought. According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, more than 300,000 people in the U.S. may contract the
tick-borne illness each year, which is 10 times higher than prior
reports. Untreated, the bacteria can cause an infection that spreads to
your joints, heart, and nervous system. If you notice frequent headaches
along with fever, fatigue, or muscle aches contact your doctor
immediately.
