Tension and Migraine Headaches: Doctors aren't
entirely sure what causes headaches, but they now
believe that tension and migraine headaches --even
though they lie at opposite ends of the same spectrum
-- are related to one another. What's more, both headache
types are likely inherited: It appears that tension
and migraine headache sufferers have a genetically
predisposed defect that involves the brain chemical
serotonin. This chemical, which seems to be on the
tip of every scientist's tongue these days, regulates
your mood, how well you sleep, and the narrowing and
widening of your blood vessels.
Here's
what likely happens when you get a migraine and probably
a tension headache, too:
An
electrical wave sweeps over the brain.
The electrical activity causes a surge in the serotonin
level, which causes blood vessels to constrict.
Serotonin seeps into the surrounding tissues, which
lowers the level of serotonin in the brain.
The blood vessels expand and the nerves in the brain
become irritated by the lack of serotonin.
What
brings on the electrical activity and the rise and
fall in serotonin? The answer is triggers.
Common
triggers for tension and migraine headaches include:
Stress
Worry
Anxiety
Depression
Anger
Too much or too little sleep
Changes in weather and seasons
Missing a meal
Drinking too much caffeine
Eating
certain foods:
Chocolate
Aged cheeses
Citrus fruits
Pickled, fermented, or marinated foods
Cured meats (hot dogs, luncheon meats)
Aspartame (i.e. NutraSweet©)
Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
Drinking alcohol (especially red wine)
Getting too much sun or overexposure to bright,
glaring indoor lights
Female
hormones:
Menstruation
Oral contraceptives
Estrogen replacement therapy
Pregnancy
A change in altitude or pressure
Strong odors (perfume, cigarette smoke, paint, etc.)
Motion (in a car or boat)
Cluster
Headaches:
Doctors
don't believe that cluster headaches, which are potentially
the most painful headaches, are inherited. They may,
however, be caused by a serotonin imbalance and/or
by a defect in the body's biological clock.
Tension
and Migraine Headaches:
At some point in their lives, 90% of people will get
a tension headache; migraines affect about 15% of
the total population. Both headache types affect women
three times as often as men.
Cluster
Headaches:
Cluster headaches affect 1% of the population overall,
and strike men four times more often than women.
