5 Surprising Things That Could Be Causing Your Headache

We’ve all been there, trying to enjoy life’s most pleasurable moments—a lazy afternoon in bed, alone time with beau, cuddles with your furry pet—and then bam! Headache hits you like a truck. If you are one of those people who often suffer from headache and migraine, you already know the usual causes: not getting enough sleep, too much alcohol, overworking your eyes—those kinds of stuff.

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However, there are more surprising reasons why your head could be pounding in pain. Check out this list to help you squash the pain before it even starts.

Tight Hairstyles

That cute high bun can hurt your head. Same goes with hairstyles like tight braids, ponytails and various updos that pulls the scalp from the tug on the hair. The constant traction and pulling can irritate some nerves in your head, causing headache whenever you’re sporting certain hairstyles. Ease the ache by letting your hair down and massaging your scalp.

Sex

This is probably the most surprising one on the list. Believe it or not, there’s such thing as sex headache. However, this is more common in men and is commonly caused by a sudden spike in blood pressure. If you happen to experience the headache for the first time or if its onset is too sudden, it is something worth discussing with your doctor to ensure there isn’t serious underlying health issue occurring.

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Bad Posture

One of common diagnosis for headache, yet still surprising for many, is bad posture. According to health experts, there’s a sudden increase in headache issues due to bad body posture related to the prominence of hand-held devices, such as phones, laptops and tablets. These devices requires you to look down for long hours and put your neck in its unnatural position, putting pressure on nerves and joints in the neck area and up.

Inactivity

Studies show that those living an inactive lifestyle are more prone to experiencing severe headaches that those who regularly work out. Aim for 20 minutes cardio a day, five times a week, to regulate blood flow to the brain, relieve stress and get your endorphins flowing. However, exercise can be a trigger for people with health issues, so make sure to consult your doctor first.

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Meat and Cheese

No matter how you love your wine with a platter of deli meats and cheese, that charcuterie board of goodies may be the culprit of your pounding head. Certain meats such as lunch meats and sausages and cheeses like blue cheese, Gouda and Parmesan contain tyramine, a food chemical that’s known to cause headache.

Usually, these headaches are minor and will go away immediately, but if yours is a serious case of migraine that hampers you from doing your normal activities, it’s best to talk to your physician for remedy.