When it comes to chronic headaches, a big part of prevention is avoiding the triggers that cause this painful condition. Keeping a diary of these occurrences can help determine potential causes of your headaches so that you can adjust your habits accordingly. You are warmly invited to learn more about some of the lifestyle factors and other triggers that can lead to headaches.
Primary
This category of headaches refers to those that are caused by chemical activity in the brain rather than by an underlying medical condition. Common examples include tension, cluster, and tension. Although these headaches don’t typically result from an existing health problem, they are often triggered by specific environmental factors. These can include not getting enough sleep or restful sleep, stress, alcohol (especially red wine), processed foods that contain nitrates or other dietary factors, poor posture, and skipped meals. In addition, some specific types of primary headaches are triggered by sex, intense exercise, or coughing. Taking note of the activities you engaged in before developing the condition can help you and the provider pinpoint the cause.
Secondary
These types occur as a symptom of an underlying health condition that activates the sensitive nerves in the area. Common examples of conditions that may manifest include acute sinusitis, dental problems, ear infection, hangover, high blood pressure, influenza, or panic attacks. More serious health problems that could be indicated by a headache include blood clot, brain aneurysm, dehydration, brain tumor, concussion, carbon monoxide poisoning, or stroke. If you have a sudden, severe headache, it’s important to get immediate medical attention.
Common Types
While there are more than 150 different types of headaches, there are a few categories that occur more frequently than others. These include external compression, which are triggered by head gear that’s too tight; ice cream-related, colloquially known as brain freeze; rebound, which occur due to overuse of pain medication; sinus, triggered by inflammation in the sinus cavities as a result of infection; cluster, which occur in a pattern and cause intense pain; migraines, categorized by a painful throbbing sensation; and tension, categorized by a less severe but constant pain often described as a “tight band” around the head.
If you suffer from frequent headaches, talk with our doctor and team at La Grange Chiropractic in La Grange, KY. We can help you determine the underlying cause and recommend lifestyle changes and treatment options that could relieve your pain. Contact us today to book an appointment and get started.