Causes:

Headaches can be caused by stress and anxiety, allergies, constipation, coffee, coffee withdrawal, alcohol, and sugar consumption, eyestrain, hunger, sinus pressure, muscle tension, hormonal imbalances, head trauma, menstruation, nutritional deficiencies, fever, drugs and tobacco, pollution, perfume, or after-shaves.

Another common cause is food allergies. Many people are sensitive to the daily foods they consume and may not be aware of an allergy. Common food allergies include wheat and wheat gluten, dairy, soybeans, monosodium glutamate (MSG), sulfites, nuts, red wine, chocolate, and alcohol. Commercially prepared foods often contain a number of these foods in a number of preparations. For example, soybeans are processed into tofu, tempeh, textured vegetable protein (TVP), "veggie burgers", miso, soy flour, soy protein powder, soybean oil, soy sauce, and soy lecithin. Be sure to check labels carefully.

Other possible causes include fluctuating blood sugar levels, anemia, arthritis, bowel problems, tooth-grinding, hypertension, sinusitis, spinal misalignment, vitamin B deficiency, too much or too little sleep, diseases of the eye, nose, and throat, and tumours of the brain and surrounding areas. Mixed headaches can result from viral or bacterial meningitis, hypoglycemia, hormonal imbalances, hypothyroidism, and vitamin A overdose.

In addition, weather patterns, and the resulting changes in atmospheric pressure, often induce pressure headaches in people. Low pressure storm systems are the most common cause. The lowered atmospheric pressure affects the fluid inside joints. This fluid expands, stiffening joints, aggravating nerves, and causing muscles to tense up in response. Resulting headaches typically occur the day before or the day it rains. Unfortunately, you cannot escape atmospheric pressure changes. The best approach is to eliminate any other possible headache triggers. Excess exposure to the hot sun of summer or the freezing, biting winds of winter can also result in more than just sunburn or frostbite respectively.

What to Expect:

Many find it increasingly difficult to function as a headache sets in. Irritability and mood swings can accompany headaches. Combat tension and their triggers with relaxation.

Some people experience nausea from some headaches, particularly those resulting from a hangover.