5 warning signs that headaches give

Most people experience headaches at some stage of their lives. They could occur due to a variety of reasons, ranging from dehydration, hunger, gas, constipation to something more serious. On the other hand, while a one off headache is usually not a matter of concern, you should be worried if you suddenly start getting headaches, there is change in intensity, or they are accompanied by other symptoms. By interpreting headache signals, you can improve your pain management, while determining when medical consultation becomes necessary. Here are 5 things your headache is trying to tell you...

Dehydration stands as the primary cause of headaches, which affects many people. The body's lack of sufficient water, leads to dull or throbbing headache development. Dehydration causes the brain to move away from the skull, briefly producing pain. Regular water consumption helps stop these headaches from appearing. The treatment for a pounding headache begins with hydration followed by rest. However, don't gulp down water suddenly as it can make your headache worst. Sip slowly.

Headaches frequently develop as a result of stress. Your neck and scalp muscles tighten when you experience stress, which produces tension headaches. The pain from these headaches manifests as a compressive sensation around your head, which creates mild to severe discomfort. The headaches that stem from stress manifest either as periodic events triggered by specific stressful incidents, or as persistent headaches when stress remains constant. The headaches can be minimised by devoting time to relaxation, while practicing breathing techniques or engaging in light physical exercises.

Sleep patterns show a direct relationship with headaches. Headaches frequently develop when people do not get sufficient sleep, or when their regular sleep patterns undergo sudden modifications. When your body requires eight hours of sleep but you get only four hours, this may result in morning headaches. Brain function along with pain processing mechanisms become impaired, when people do not get sufficient rest. A standard sleep routine combined with high-quality sleep, will decrease the occurrence of headaches.

Headaches develop when the body experiences sinus-related problems and allergic reactions. The sinus pain area extends from the eyes to the forehead down to the cheeks. Sinus headaches develop when your sinuses become inflamed, or their mucus gets blocked because of infections or allergies. This type of headache typically appears with nasal congestion and pressure along with nasal drainage. Treatment of the primary allergy or infection, will normally solve headache symptoms.

The upper spine along with the neck, serves as the origin for specific headaches which medical professionals call cervicogenic headaches. When your cervical spine becomes misaligned or develops tense or injured muscles, these signals send pain to your head. Such headaches usually start from the back of your head or behind your eyes, and tend to get worse when you perform specific neck movements. These headaches worsen with head movements, and produce nausea along with light sensitivity.

Most headaches are harmless that can be managed at home (though they can be uncomfortable) However, certain types of headaches serve as warning signs for potential serious medical problems. A visit to the doctor becomes necessary when you experience:
The headache begins suddenly with intense force and some people describe it as a thunderclap headache
The headache does not respond to standard over-the-counter pain relief medications
The headache causes confusion along with weakness, while vision changes and fever and numbness appear
The headache pattern evolves, or shows signs of worsening as time passes.
When you experience a headache following a head injury

Sources
Mayo Clinic
MedlinePlus
Better Health Channel
HealthDirect Australia
Medical News Today

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice.