Headaches can be real pain in the… well, the head.
More often than not, they are just annoying and can put us in a bad mood. After taking a couple of aspirin or paracetamol, you should feel right as rain again. Usually, headaches aren’t something that you should worry about as they aren’t often symptoms of serious illnesses.
Got a headache that you can’t seem to shake off? Here are some things that might be causing it.
Migraine
If your headache is moderate to severe, causing you a sensitivity to light, and preventing you from getting on with your day to day life, then it is probably a migraine. No one knows what really causes these intense headaches, but it is thought that it is something to do with how the blood vessels constrict in the brain. There is no cure for migraines, but your doctor should be able to give you medication to reduce the pain and symptoms.
Dehydrated
Have you been drinking enough water? If not, then your headache is probably a symptom of dehydration. These types of headaches often present with some other symptoms, including fatigue and nausea. If you have a good drink, the headache should subside after an hour or so.
Poor Eyesight
If you are wearing glasses or contact lenses that are the wrong prescription for you, then you might find that you start to develop headaches. This is a result of the strain that is put on the eyes. An optometrist can help by figuring out the best prescription for you now, and they can provide you with new glasses and contact lenses. Because headaches from poor eyesight are quite common, it’s super important that you visit your optometrist as often as possible to get your prescription updated whenever necessary.
Sinus Headache
If your headache is slightly lower than you might expect to feel one, it is probably a sinus headache. When you have a sinus headache, you usually feel it in your cheekbones, nose, and forehead. These types of headaches usually accompany the common cold. The symptoms should go away and you should start to feel better after a few days without any medication.
Hormone Headache
Some women get headaches when there is a big change in their body’s hormone levels. For example, most people get headaches when they first go on the contraceptive pill. They can also occur during pregnancy, the menopause, and during menstruation. Most women don’t get treatment for these headaches as they are usually quite mild. However, if you struggle with them, see your doctor to find out what your options are.
Tension Headache
Tension or stress headaches are the most common kind and are nothing to worry about. These occur when the muscles contract tightly around the head. Taking over the counter painkillers should be enough to remove any symptoms.
Hopefully, you have been able to identify your headache from this list. If not, then it’s worth booking an appointment with your doctor to get things checked out.
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