We all get headaches from time to time, they often come without warning and annoy us for a few hours, but eventually fade away. But, when headaches occur frequently or cause intense pain it can be disruptive to your wellbeing and quality of life.
One of the first steps our providers recomend for anyone experiencing frequent or severe headaches is to start keeping a journal. This will assist you in logging when your headache starts, how it feels and allows us to identify any trends.
At South Lake Pain Institute our providers find that certain foods can trigger headaches. A common element in many foods that can cause headaches is monosodium glutamate, or MSG. This is a flavoring that enhances food such as canned vegetables, soups, sauces, processed meats and Chinese food.
In addition to MSG, other foods commonly linked to headaches include cheeses, processed meats, fermented foods and alcoholic beverages. You may not be susceptible to all of these foods, you may only have a few triggers that is why a headache journal is helpful.
Stress can also be a trigger for headaches. Stress can be physical, emotional, financial, marital, pandemic, etc. If you are struggling with stress it can take a toll on the entire body manifesting in headaches. Too often we ignore the connection between our mental and physical health. Do not be afraid to share your stress and ability to cope with your provider.
Another trigger for headaches is caffeine. While your morning cup of coffee is great for a helpful boost, it could also be the cause for your headaches. In small amounts coffee can be helpful to provide alertness, but too much coffee can put a person at risk of caffeine withdrawal.
Too much caffeine can also cause an inability to obtain restful sleep. Too little sleep can also cause headaches.
Headaches are not something you should learn to live with. If you are experiencing persistent or severe headaches our providers can develop a treatment plan that is right for you.
