If you find yourself battling a headache or migraine several times per week, you’re likely not living your life to the fullest. The problem is that headaches can occur for a number of reasons. Learning what the causes of headaches are can help you pinpoint what you need to change in your life to find relief.
1. Stress
When you’re feeling stressed, the muscles in the neck and scalp begin to tense up which can cause a headache to occur. Headaches are usually your body’s response to anxiety and stress. To determine if stress is the cause of your headaches, try practicing more self-care acts throughout the day to relieve your stress like taking a walk or bubble bath, or meditating.
2. Dehydration
How much water do you drink throughout the day? If you live in a hot and humid environment, you will want to drink more than the average person. When the body becomes dehydrated, headaches are one of the symptoms. You can also watch out for other symptoms such as feeling thirsty, yellow urine, or a dry mouth. If you struggle to drink enough water throughout the day, consider adding drinks with electrolytes into your day. Staying hydrated can help prevent frequent headaches.
3. Anemia
When your body doesn’t have enough red blood cells to transport oxygen to the tissues located throughout your body, it’s known as anemia. Anemia causes symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath, and feeling weak. One way to find out if you’re anemic is by visiting your doctor.
4. Hormonal Changes
It’s common for women to experience headaches during menstruation or ovulation because their hormone levels change. Headaches are also a common side effect of hormonal birth controls. On the flip side, hormonal birth control can bring relief to some people who suffer from hormonal migraines. Pay attention to the time of the month you get headaches to see if it’s linked with your cycle.
5. Drinking Too Much Caffeine
When you drink caffeine it causes vasoconstriction in the blood vessel, meaning they become narrower. If you drink coffee every day and then decide to skip a day, your blood vessels don’t constrict which can cause your head to hurt. Either don’t drink caffeine too frequently or make sure to not skip a day to avoid headaches.
6. TMJ Disorders
The last most common cause of frequent headaches is temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). The TM joint is the joint that connects the skull to the jaw and when it becomes unbalanced, it can cause a TMJ disorder. Alongside the joint is a large muscle that spans across the jaw and cheeks. When you have TMJ, the pain can extend from your jaw joints and throughout your face, causing a headache. Those who suffer from TMJ usually also experience jaw pain, clicking or popping in the jaw, and clench or grind their teeth.
If you suspect you have a TMJ disorder, our TMJ dentist at Massa Dental Center can help. Schedule an appointment at our Naples dental office today to receive a TMJ diagnosis and treatment plan to find relief from your frequent headaches. Please call (239) 597-7333 to book an appointment.
