In a lot of instances simple eyestrain such as that seen when working too long at the computer can lead to a headache. In other cases, ordinary a sinus infection resulting from a head cold or allergy can be the cause. Taking certain medications can also produce a headache.
Although the exact cause is not known in every instance, constriction of the blood vessels is also believed to be the culprit in many cases. Pain sensitive nerve fibers in the head line the walls of the blood vessels and when the blood vessels contract the nerves send signals to the brain. paradoxically, the brain itself cannot feel pain because it does not contain any pain sensitive nerve cells and tension-type or cluster headaches result.
But your blood vessels are able to dilate as well as contract and when they do so one theory at least holds that migraines and cluster headaches can be the result. Present research proposes that there are also several other far more important factors at play when it comes to migraines.
Tension or more accurately tension-type headaches can arise from other sources like tension in the muscles of the neck, shoulder and even the jaw. Those who have suffered from TMJ disorder which is a condition caused by tension of the temporomandibular joint causing the jaw to tighten against the skull are all too familiar with this.
In serious cases headaches may be produced by some underlying disease and these are usually called 'secondary headaches'. The list of conditions this can cause headaches is lengthy and will include everything from scarlet fever to irritable bowel syndrome.
Often environmental factors also play a significant part. Carbon monoxide poisoning such as that resulting from the gas produced by an automobile exhaust or many water heaters can produce severe headaches and indeed headaches are one of the prime symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. Other causes include allergies, lead poisoning and food poisoning.
Even when food is not actually toxic as would be the case where food is contaminated with a bacterial infection certain people may be sensitive to compounds which will not affect the general population. Such common foods as cheese and chocolate can cause headaches in some people as will certain preservatives, caffeine and red wine.
But position, posture and a variety of other controllable factors can also be amongst the most common causes. As an increasing number of people are working with computers on a daily basis so we are seeing more eyestrain, jaw stress and neck tension.
Almost nine out of ten headaches are common tension headaches that are usually the result of one or more of the factors detailed above. In other words in the vast majority of cases the cure for your headache is simple and within your control.
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TheMigraineHeadacheCenter.com provides a wide range of information about headaches including cluster headaches and migraine headaches
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