What's Causing Your Headache?

Oh my aching head! Headaches. Everybody gets them at one time or another and for some they can be a debilitating condition. Billions of dollars a year are spent on remedies to relieve them. There are even some remedies for a headache that don't rely on pain relievers.

Acupressure and acupuncture are sometimes used to relieve headaches. The Buddhist mind trick is to imagine your headache in a box and then slowly shrink the box until the headache goes away. I've tried that one, but it doesn't seem to work for me.

There are many reasons for having a headache. Stress is one of them. Allergies can cause them as well as many other causes like eye strain. Headaches are usually a symptom rather than a disease, although migraines can be considered a disease and can even predispose you to a stroke.

Here are a few common causes of headaches according to Health.com:

A recent study found that women who were overweight had a 35% greater risk of having frequent headaches than those who were not overweight. The higher the body mass index, the greater chances of getting headaches. A BMI of 40 will up your chances of headaches to 80%.

Your personality can trigger headaches and it's not just anger issues. If you tend to be anal or obsessive and rigid, it can increase your chances of getting a headache quite a bit. Try to meditate and be calm to avoid getting a headache.

"I have a headache" is the old joke about why women don't want to have sex. But sex, especially the aggressive kind, can actually trigger a headache. That type of headache may be caused by overexerting yourself, sort of like the kind that weightlifters get.

Believe it or not, a nice relaxing weekend can actually give you a headache. It's called a "letdown" headache. They are caused by you not following your normal routine. Try to at least follow your normal pattern of sleep if you don't want to get a letdown headache.

Dehydration and fumes from certain kinds of paint can also make your head ache. Try to get the newer types of paint that have less volatile fumes.

Just having a cup of coffee for breakfast? You may be setting yourself up for a headache because low blood sugar and caffeine both can cause you to have a headache. Better to at least have a high carbohydrate bagel or a piece of fruit.

Headaches are caused by the compression of blood vessels in the brain. Inactivity can also give you a headache. The solution? 15-20 minutes of exercise a day.

And finally, lack of sleep can cause your head to ache. Try to get enough sleep, at least eight hours a night.

Source: http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20456714_11,00.html