5 Little-Known Sources of Headaches

Headaches. We all get them, and we all hate them. Sometimes you know where your headache comes from, but other times it just sneaks up on you. Here are common but less well-known causes of headaches:

1. Perfume and other strong odors – sparked by cues from your nose’s nerve cells. This might explain why you always start to feel achy when your pungent coworker prances by in a cloud of White Diamonds.
2. Weather (changes in barometric pressure, temperature, humidity, etc) – chemical and electrical changes in the brain irritate your nerves.
3. Earrings, headbands, and ponytails – sensitivity in your connective tissues and even your skin can cause pain.
4. Hunger – low blood sugar stimulates nerve pathways to release pain sensations.
5. Sex (!!!) – resulting from pressure building up in the head and neck muscles, also caused by coughing, sneezing, or other types of, um, straining.

Get more detailed explanations on these causes, exactly why it hurts, and what you can do about it from CNN Health.

What causes your worst headaches? Leave a comment!

Contents © Copyright 2008 Kristen King

Tags: womens health, woman, health, headaches