1. Sex
No, not the "I've got a headache, darling" headache, but those associated with sexual activity. In fact, these affect men more than women and are more common in those who suffer from migraine or high blood pressure.
"The most common symptom is a dull ache at the back of the head, which gradually intensifies as sexual excitement increases," said Dr. Anne MacGregor, director of clinical research at The City of London Migraine Clinic (migrainetrust.org). "This is thought to be related to excessive muscular contraction of the head and neck. Some people experience a sudden, severe explosive headache at orgasm -- also known as `thunderclap headache' -- that lasts up to half an hour. Although coital headaches rarely have a serious underlying cause, they can sometimes result from bleeding in the brain, known as hemorrhagic stroke. This is more common in those with high blood pressure or a family history of this kind of stroke."
2. Toxic Bowel
The healthy transit time of food through our bodies should be less than 24 hours. In reality, it's usually two days or more.
"The UK is a very constipated nation," said Irena Dumbrell, a naturopath, colonic hydrotherapist and director of Body Peace, a complementary and alternative medicine clinic in Taplow, Berkshire. "Diets of processed food and poor drink choices, along with a lack of exercise, are key factors for a sluggish colon. These can lead to self- poisoning of the whole system -- in other words, a toxic colon." An ill-working colon hangs on to old faeces and other mucoid matter.
"The repercussions of a toxic bowel may cause a range of health problems, including frequent headaches," said Dumbrell. "Help detox the bowel by limiting your intake of red meat to twice a week and avoiding rich and heavy food, spices and alcohol. Instead look to a diet of fruits, vegetables, salads, chicken and fish."
3. Drug Misuse
"Although painkillers taken for a few days once or twice a month to treat headaches can be very effective, frequent use of these drugs (more than three days a week) can have the opposite effect," said MacGregor.
Medication overuse is a common reason for headaches that occur on most days. "The only way to make the head-aches better," she said, "is to stop taking the tablets."
4. Anger
Bottling up anger makes you more
susceptible to headaches -- even more so than depression or anxiety, according to research from Saint Louis University School of Medicine, in Missouri.
So, does that mean letting rip instead of internalizing our frustrations? "There are times when expressing anger isn't the best thing," said the university's Robert Nicholson. "What I would hope to do is to help people learn ways to lengthen their fuses so they avoid becoming angry." Nicholson suggests coping strategies such as looking at things in shades of grey, instead of black and white, and letting go of things that are beyond your control.
5. Lazy Posture
Slouching or stooping causes unnecessary pressure on the neck and scalp muscles. "Your head is heavy," said Noel Kingsley, a practitioner of Alexander Technique (alexander-technique.com). "Essentially, you are carrying a 4.5kg-6kg medicine ball on top of your shoulders that relies on the natural curve of your neck to support it. When your posture is off balance, your neck is thrown out of alignment and blood flow is reduced to your brain. It's much like standing on a garden hose pipe."
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