What Could Be Causing Your Headache?

A Healthier You Day 4

Having a Slight Headache? Don’t touch aspirin first. Drink enough water, turn off your screens, rest.

If you have a habit of reaching for aspirin or pain relief medicine when you have headaches, you may be doing your body a lot of harm. Unfortunately, there are several reasons you could be having that headache, and pain relief medicine isn’t the solution in most cases.

Read on to find out the likely causes of headaches. You’ll be glad you read them all.

Dehydration

That headache symptom could result from dehydration i.e. a shortage of fluid in your body. Taking pain relief drugs for this kind of headache will only constitute drug overdose.

Dehydration headache occurs when the brain contracts temporarily due to low body fluid and pulls away from the skull. It is the most common headache people experience; you can feel it at the front, side, or back of your head.

However, once you drink water (cold water is more effective), you’ll experience prompt relief because the brain will return to its usual shape once you’re rehydrated.

Excessive Screen Time

Staring at an electronic screen for too long can lead to light sensitivity and eye strain, triggering migraine headaches. Migraine headaches are the throbbing pain you feel on one or both sides of your head.

Of course, turning off your screens or using protective eyewear can help reduce migraine symptoms.

Stress

Stress is a lead culprit in what is known as a tension headache. This headache is the most common and is symptomized by a continuous ache on both sides of your head. Eating, exercising regularly, and getting enough rest can effectively deal with tension headaches.

Electrolyte Imbalance

Electrolytes are substances that perform the following functions in the body:

• Balance the body’s pH
• Facilitate the transportation of nutrients into your cells and waste out of them
• Regulates your heart rhythm
• Help nerves send and receive signals from the brain

Examples of electrolytes are sodium, calcium, potassium, and chloride.

When your body is too low or too high on electrolytes, one of the symptoms you get is a headache. To balance out electrolytes in your system, take more fluids, and try an oral rehydration solution.

Nevertheless, seek medical attention if the headache persists after trying these remedies for a few days.