More people complain about headaches than any other medical ailments. There are approximately 45 million Americans complaining of headaches each year. That works out to about one in every six people or 16.54% of the population. More than eight million Americans visit their doctor for complaints of headache each year.
Nothing to worry about? All headaches deserve our attention as they are a sign that something in our body is out of balance or isn’t working right. The body has a limited vocabulary to express itself and tell us something is wrong. Fever, swelling, and pain are just some of the ways the body informs us we need to pay attention to it.
Histamine can cause headaches through various mechanisms. Histamine has several functions, but it’s mainly known for its role in causing allergic symptoms. Allergies are your body’s reaction to a foreign protein or something we are allergic to. Eating refined carbohydrates often will result in the formation of intestinal histamines. This is especially true when there is constipation. The reaction to toxic metabolites can result in a headache.
Headache is one of the first signs of dehydration. Dehydration alone may cause headaches and worsen headaches related to an underlying condition. That’s why it’s important to drink ½ your body weight in ounces per day (max 100 ounces).
Tension headaches are the most common type of headache, often caused by stress. Muscle contractions in the head and neck are a major factor in getting a tension headache. Self-care strategies include engaging in activities that promote relaxation, such as exercise, yoga, and massage. Also, adjusting your sleeping habits, using a low, firm pillow, and applying heat or cold packs to the neck can also provide relief.
Blood sugar headaches can be caused by both high blood sugar and low blood sugar. High blood sugar can trigger headaches because it affects hormones like epinephrine and norepinephrine, which may cause blood vessels in the brain to constrict, leading to headaches. Low blood sugar can also lead to headaches due to changes in these hormones and a lack of glucose in the brain, causing headaches. That’s why it’s important to eat a healthy, balanced diet to keep your blood sugar in the “Goldilocks zone”. Avoiding obvious sugar and high carb processed foods is of great benefit. A balanced, whole food diet with lots of good fats, organic vegetables and quality meats will provide the body with what it truly needs.
There are many contributing factors to headaches and these are only a few of them. By looking at the underlying causes we can correct the problem at the root. Headaches don’t have to be part of your everyday life – at Vital Health, we’re here to help you uncover the cause and get real, lasting relief.
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