Causes of Continuous Headaches: Understanding the Factors that Trigger Headaches

Jakarta –

Almost everyone has experienced headaches. However, in some people, headaches can come continuously and for a long time. What causes persistent headaches?

Quoted from Healthline, continuous headaches are also known as chronic headaches. Chronic headaches are characterized by headaches that last for at least 15 days a month and occur for three consecutive months.

What do you think causes headaches to appear continuously? Read the following explanation.

Causes of Constant Headaches

1. Stress

When experiencing stress, the body will interpret this as a threat. To overcome this, the body will release stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol in very large amounts to turn off body functions that are not needed.

But at the same time, the hormones adrenaline and cortisol can trigger the dilation of blood vessels to channel blood to parts of the body that are useful for responding physically, such as the feet and hands.

Because the heart is too focused on pumping blood to flow to that area, the brain does not get enough blood and oxygen. This is what makes many people experience headaches when they feel stressed.

2. Lack of Sleep

The first cause of persistent headaches is lack of sleep. People who don’t get enough sleep or like to stay up late are more at risk of experiencing prolonged headaches than those who get enough sleep.

Quoted from the Sleep Foundation page, the brain has a part called the pineal gland. The pineal gland produces the hormone melatonin which plays a role in causing drowsiness and regulating natural sleep rhythms.

Lack of sleep can interfere with the function of the pineal gland in producing the hormone melatonin. Low melatonin levels are said to be the cause of continuous headaches.

3. Late eating

Often being late or skipping meals can also cause headaches. This is because skipping meals can reduce blood sugar levels, thereby stimulating the body to release hormones that increase blood pressure and narrow blood vessels in the body. This is what then gives rise to headache symptoms.

4. Weather Factors

Have you ever had a headache after getting caught in the rain? It turns out that rain and headaches are related. This is caused by the presence of barometric pressure.

Barometric pressure is air pressure or the amount of force that will hit our body from the air. When the barometric pressure outside drops, it will create a difference between the air outside and the air in the sinus cavity. This is what can cause headaches.

5. Effect of Caffeine

It turns out that the caffeine content in coffee can also trigger continuous headaches. Caffeine can cause constriction of blood vessels. This causes sudden changes in blood flow and triggers headaches.

Usually, headaches like this occur when someone drinks too much coffee or consumes certain types of coffee.

6. Anxiety or Excessive Anxiety

Anxiety or excessive worry can also be a cause of continuous headaches. There are several factors that can cause anxiety sufferers to experience headaches.

The first is stress. As previously explained, stress triggers the body to produce large amounts of the hormones adrenaline and cortisol which affect blood flow to the brain, thereby triggering headaches.

Second, muscle tension. Quoted from Healthline, when someone feels anxious the body will unconsciously tense up in response to facing the source of worry. If anxiety continues in the long term, the body will continue to be in a tense state and cause headaches.

7. Certain Physical Activities

Some physical activities that are too vigorous can cause headaches. For example, coughing or sneezing too hard. When you cough or sneeze, there is an increase in pressure on several body muscles such as the face and stomach. This increase in pressure can sometimes cause headaches.

Apart from coughing or sneezing, intense physical activity such as lifting weights, running, and having sex can also trigger headaches. When carrying out these activities, the body may need more blood and oxygen supply. This stimulates the blood vessels to widen so that more blood can flow. The widening of blood vessels and increased blood pressure can then trigger headaches.

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(ath/suc)

2023-11-03 14:30:00
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