Health encyclopaedia

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

Causes of Headache

The cause of a tension-type headache not clear. It is thought that headaches may be associated with a decrease in a substance present in body tissue and blood called serotonin.

Triggers may include:

•  Stress, emotional tension, depression or anxiety,
• Poor posture causing scalp and neck muscles to tense,
•  Squinting to read causing scalp muscles to tense,
•  Certain foods, bright sunlight, certain odours, menstrual periods, changes in the weather, and
•  Daily use of painkillers can be the cause of frequent headaches. The body gets used to the painkillers and a withdrawal headache may occur if painkillers are not taken every day.

The cause of cluster headaches is unknown. Research points to an increase of grey matter in the area of the brain, called the hypothalamus on the side where the headache occurs. The hypothalamus is the part of the brain associated with the 24-hour rhythm of the human body, which may help to explain why cluster headaches show such regularity.

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