Headaches are something we all experience once in a while. It could be mild or severe however if you experience chronic daily headaches then it might be time to ditch that self-medication and go see a doctor.
The occurrence of chronic daily headaches could be pointing to something much more severe and would need a check as soon as possible. We may have little control over it however there are some habits that accelerate chronic daily headaches.
Five habits that contribute to chronic daily headaches.
Recurrent headaches persisting for more than 15 days up to three months, whether aggressive or mild are categorized as chronic headaches.
Statistics reveal that 12 percent of the American population faces debilitating pain. Here are the leading causes of chronic headaches.
1. Sleep deprivation:
Researchers from Missouri State University found a biological link between sleep deprivation and migraines. Lack of sleep triggers chronic pain by interfering with the normal mechanism of certain proteins specific for pain inhibition. During restorative sleep, the brain receives the required rest and hence sleeping uninterrupted for 7 to 9 hours each night helps prevent migraine
Studies conducted also depict that more than 50% of individuals suffer from long-term headaches with those who slept less than six hours a night or those who had irregular sleeping patterns.
2. Stress:
Both the brain and the skull are surrounded by pain-sensitive membranes. Most tension headaches stem from certain abnormalities in these membranes or nearby blood vessels and nerve-stress buildup is one of the major causative agents of such abnormalities.
During stressful situations, the body responds by releasing stress hormones that induce a fight-or-flight state during which several metabolic fluctuations occur inside the brain. One such example is vasoconstriction or the narrowing of the blood vessels. Supplying the brain as more blood is directed towards the limbs.
Stress is also known to trigger the trigeminal nerve which results in an agonizing headache.
Read Also: Short Naps during the day can help improve brain function; Why you should take naps.
3. High alcohol intake:
Excessive alcohol consumption has been linked to consistent migraine attacks. According to research conducted by the Harvard Medical School, more than one-third of migraine sufferers are reported to be alcoholics.
Several alcoholic beverages may lead to headaches because of the presence of molecules termed as phenolic flavonoids, radicals, which interfere with serotonin. A signaling neurotransmitter in the brain that is involved in migraine.
Another causative constituent is ethanol, which may produce dehydration and certain chemical imbalances in the body both of which can lead to migraine episodes. Another group of hazardous chemicals called congeners has been linked to a greater risk of headaches.
4. Unhealthy dietary habits:
Dehydration brought about by inadequate water intake can cause the thin layers of tissue in the brain to shrink and tighten further pressing on nerves and pain receptors which leads to headaches. Furthermore skipping meals, particularly breakfast results in hypoglycemia or abnormally low blood glucose concentration.
Read Also: Five (5) Exercises to Avoid When you hit 30 Years.: Protecting Your Body’s Longevity.
This has been linked to an increased risk of migraine because the neurons in the brain do not receive sufficient glucose to function. Hunger also triggers hypertension or increased blood pressure, which may thin blood vessels around the head and neck resulting in persistent headaches.
Moreover, processed foods contain high levels of nitrate along with chemicals present in artificial sweeteners. This also result in cluster headaches,
5. Poor posture:
Tension headaches along with consistent neck pain mainly arise from muscle tension and tightness due to constant mechanical strain on the muscles supporting the cervical spine, and the head region. Excessive load on the upper back and neck can also cause tension headaches and several musculoskeletal issues.
When the body is hunched the clenching of the jaw adds to stiffness in the facial muscles which also causes tension headaches.
Follow me on Facebook