Headaches: A Basic Discussion

[Radu Cornea]

I placed this discussions under "habits" for a very specific reason, and that is, I think there are certain things one does out of nervosity, while stressed, bored, at work (or not), consciously or unconsciously, that trigger a severely aching head.

As such, I posit that there are habits we entertain, which we can actually control - skip that ibuprofen tablet - and make our life that much better.

So this thing plagues basically everyone. What causes headaches, and what can you do to get rid of them?

I know the following things cause most of my own searing headaches:

1. Bright reflections / Staring at a computer screen non-stop;
2. Inhaling polluted air / Inhaling dust & smoke;
3. Bad posture / Holding your head in your hand / Neck spine tension;
4. Shallow breathing;
5. Bad oral hygiene / Tooth decay / Un-cared-for teeth;
6. Using certain (usually strong) perfumes;
7. Rubbing dirt and dead cells into the pores instead of washing them off. (This is when the headache started from another cause, and semi-consciously you think a bit of massage would relieve it, but it only manages to make things worse);
8. Dehydration / Malnourishment / Consciously eating bad/altered food;
9. Toxin build-up / Forced ignoration of your body's natural cycles;
10. Biting and chewing my skin & nails (when I get nervous, my lips and fingers are under siege, and obviously, germs&toxins get free entry into my system).

So these are a few of the ones I identified on myself. The solutions to these seem pretty obvious, when you list them like this, isn't it? :) What's more, that pain tablet might even take away some symptom that affects you on a pretty severe level.

So I'd like to hear from you guys, what affects you and what solutions have you found to these buggers?

[Ewan]

11. Lack of sleep. Very important this one.
12. Any kind of prolonged exposure to people that get on my nerves/cause me distress.

[EvanM]

Lack of sleep is a HUGE factor for me. If I go a few days without enough sleep (2 - 3) the 4th is usually a complete write off. I become very tired and get a crippling headache.

I think skipping the ibuprofen is a great suggestion though. Save the pills for time when you really need them. If I understand correctly, you won't build a tolerance this way.

[Sophie]

Don't you start to hallucinate at all? After day 2?

[Maxim Ustinin]

I know I do.

[Sophie]

I don't really get headaches, and when i get them, i am not sure why. Maybe it is from my posture, i used to have VERY bad posture but its very nearly back to perfect.

I don't take painkillers unless it is necessary, for example if i go to bed with a headache and wake up with an even worse one then i take one, why let myself suffer!

Also, ibuprofen is fail ;) Paracetamol is better i've found, i take Anadin extra soluble, it is miracle in a cup.

[Paladin]

Being alive

[Radu Cornea]

Wait, I thought you didn't get headaches, what with living in the woods... Now I'll have to rethink everything.

[Paladin]

everyone gets headaches. Even in the woods.

[Ewan]

You live in the woods?!

[Muhammed Gouda]

how come if your living in the woods with nature then you've got the best anti-headache environment

[John X a.k.a. Googol(istic)]

Got a head ache right now, FUCK those headaches >:@

Stress also causes headache

[Sherlock Rojas]

Headache is one of the most common clinical symptoms of almost everything. You could just have a headache because of the bright lights, the 10 beers you had last night, very loud music, bad sleep, food poisoning, the flu or actually even a brain stroke (not sure if that's the name 'cause english isn't my native language) I recommend that if anyone has recurrent headaches to get a check up from their physician. Random data: Headaches are the most common prescription for craneal CT scans