Headaches

December 14th, 2018

A large proportion of people suffer from the occasional headache.  In fact, it’s one of the most common reasons for visits to primary care providers.  There are a multitude of causes of headaches ranging from stress to brain tumors.  Fortunately, only a very small are due to the latter.

Most everyday headaches are classified as “tension” headaches.  The most common reason for this type of headache is a change in our usual routine.  If you find yourself having headaches, start keeping a journal or “headache diary”.  By keeping a log of your activities, you may start noticing trends and possible triggers/causes for your pain. I have listed some common foods and lifestyle changes in the table below.  The main issue is sudden changes in your lifestyle (whether they have a positive impact or not).

• Lack of sleep/too much sleep
• Stress
• Alcohol (especially red wine)
• Too much caffeine or sudden decrease in your usual dose of caffeine, aka “caffeine withdrawal”
• Relaxation.  No, this is not a mistake!  some people can actually get headaches on their vacations since this is a change in their usual routine of a stressful workday
• Irregular eating habits/skipping meals.  The body likes to have a steady source of energy.  Like your car, it does not like to run on empty.  Be sure to carry a snack with you if you think you may have to skip a meal.
• Too much phone/tablet/computer use.  Eyestrain associated with headaches indicate an underlying vision problem.  Schedule an appointment with your eye doctor if this is occurring.  You may need your vision checked and may need to have a glaucoma screening.
• Medications such as antibiotics, blood pressure medication, nasal decongestants, cough/cold medications, ad many more prescription and over the counter medications can cause headaches.
• High blood pressure.  Anyone with a headache should have their blood pressure checked.  Fortunately, headaches caused by high blood pressure usually get better when the blood pressure returns to normal.
• Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas which can accumulate inside your home from heat sources or car exhaust.  It is most dangerous during the winter, when we keep our windows closed and light our fireplace.  Make sure you have carbon monoxide detectors in the home.  If you keep having headaches in your home but not anywhere else, you may need to check your carbon monoxide levels.  If the levels are high, you will need to find the source and open the windows to vent out your home immediately.

Disclaimer:  If your headache is severe or the “worst headache of your life” associated with other symptoms such as fever, neck stiffness, weakness, loss of vision, or gets worse with bowel movements/straining during exercise or sex, you should see your medical provider immediately.  These are considered red flags and indicate a need for more thorough workup which may include a neurological exam and possibly imaging of the brain.