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Sources of headaches you didn't know you had.
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
The most common causes of headaches are stress and fatigue. But it turns out that migraines can be caused by other, completely unexpected sources. Ilive will tell you what causes headaches and how to avoid them.
Stress at work
Your boss can actually be the cause of your headaches. Anything that increases stress levels and makes a person vulnerable can be a source of headaches.
Strong smell
Even the most wonderful aromas that you like can negatively affect your well-being and cause not only headaches, but also bouts of nausea. Sometimes migraine attacks can last even for several days. The reason for such intolerance is the activation of the nerve cells of the nose and irritation of the nervous system.
Hair Accessories
Tight ponytails are another source of headaches. Tight ponytails can cause tension in the connective tissue in the scalp, leading to headaches .
Physical activity
Vigorous physical activity, including sex, can sometimes cause headaches. During physical activity, such as running or sex, the muscles of the face and neck become tense, the pulse quickens, and blood pressure rises, and this overexertion can cause pain.
Bad posture
Sometimes an uncomfortable workplace, which is arranged in such a way that a person has to slouch, strain his back because of an uncomfortable chair and look at the monitor in this position all day, can become another source of headache. Also, a person can feel unwell while talking on the phone, which he presses to his ear with his shoulder.
Cheese
Oddly enough, expensive cheeses such as blue cheese, cheddar, parmesan, and Swiss can cause headaches. The culprit is a substance called tyramine. The older the product, the more tyramine it contains.
[ Hunger
A hunger headache isn’t always obvious. If you skip a meal, your head may start hurting before you even realize you’re hungry. This is because your blood sugar drops, which experts say stimulates nerve endings and causes headaches. But don’t try to treat migraines with sweets. A chocolate bar will raise your sugar, but it will also drop sharply afterward, making the problem worse. Instead, eat foods that contain protein, magnesium, and riboflavin, which are found in fish, whole grains, nuts, spinach, white meat, leafy greens, and cereals.
Caffeine
For those who often suffer from headaches, caffeine is in the category of products "I can't live with it, but I can't live without it either." In moderate doses, caffeine is useful, it stimulates mental activity and increases productivity. The optimal amount of coffee is two cups. Excessive caffeine can provoke migraines or worsen them.
Dehydration
Most people have probably experienced sudden headaches when there is no apparent cause. Of course, overexertion plays a role, for example, if you spend the whole day in front of a computer monitor, but dehydration can also cause headaches. It is important to remember to drink several glasses of water throughout the day, and not limit yourself to coffee or tea.