What Do You Know About Headaches?

Nine of 10 headaches are related to muscle tension and pain in the back and neck. Health care providers believe that tense neck and shoulder muscles squeeze neighboring blood vessels, cutting off the supply of blood to the muscles of the face and scalp. Pain is felt in the muscles of the forehead and neck. The pain is often described as a tight band around the head. Tension headaches may be occasional or daily. If you have daily headaches, it is important to get treatment to prevent them from becoming dependent on pain-relieving medications and to prevent rebound headaches.

The American Council for Headache Education also recommends that you call your doctor if you experience any of the following: the need to take a pain reliever every day or almost daily; the need for more than the recommended doses of over-the-counter medication to relieve headache symptoms; a stiff neck and/or fever in addition to a headache; a headache accompanied by shortness of breath, fever and/or unexpected symptoms that affect your eyes, ears, nose, or throat; dizziness, unsteadiness, slurred speech, weakness, or changes in sensation (numbness and/or tingling) in addition to a headache; confusion or drowsiness with a headache; headaches that begin and persist after a head injury; headaches that change in character; persistent or severe vomiting with a headache; headaches that begin after age 50.

Tension headaches are believed to be caused, at least in part, by tight muscles in the shoulders, neck, and head. Poor posture puts strain on muscles. Insomnia contributes to headaches by increasing stress. An uneven bite, clenching jaws, or grinding teeth can cause joint problems in the jawbone. These problems can cause headaches by increasing tension in the jaw muscles.

If you take over-the-counter pain relievers, use the minimum dose and only when necessary. Overusing pain medications can cause a chronic daily headache called a rebound headache.

Chocolate is a notorious offender, as are citrus fruits, hot dogs, bologna, sausage, and alcoholic beverages. Skipping meals or fasting can also trigger a headache. Other food triggers for migraines include ripened cheeses (cheddar, Stilton, brie); pickled or dried herring; anything pickled, fermented, or marinated; more than a half-cup of sour cream daily; peanut butter and nuts; broad beans; lima beans; fava beans; and snow peas.

There are two theories on what causes migraines. One is that the blood vessels of the brain either constrict (become more narrow) or dilate (become wider). Constriction of blood vessels can decrease blood flow to parts of the brain, causing problems with vision or dizziness. Dilated blood vessels press on neighboring nerves, causing pain. Another theory is that the rise and fall of chemicals in the brain can cause migraines. One of these chemicals is serotonin. The trigeminal nerve system, which provides feeling for the face, teeth, mouth, and nasal cavity, does not cause migraines but can be part of the reason why you get throbbing pain especially on one side of the face or behind the eyes.

During a woman's menstrual cycle, the levels of estrogen and progesterone fluctuate, depending on where the woman is in her cycle. During pregnancy, however, the levels of those hormones remain more constant. If migraines do occur, they usually only appear in the first trimester.

Overuse means that you take over-the-counter or prescription headache medication in higher doses or more often than recommended. Overuse can cause a "rebound" headache. Rebound means that you initially get relief from the medication, but that once the drug is eliminated from your body, your headache returns. This is especially true if the medication contains caffeine. Even if the medication doesn't contain caffeine, but you drink coffee, tea, or caffeinated soft drinks, you could be more vulnerable to a rebound headache.

The eye will often tear and look bloodshot. Cluster headaches occur in clusters or groups, with four to eight headaches happening a day. A person with a cluster headache often has no warning it is about to occur, and the pain is severe and intense. This type of headache can vanish in a half-hour or last for several hours. The cluster of headaches can continue for weeks or months, but can also disappear for months or years. Although some people experience clusters more often in the spring or fall, they are not associated with allergies.