One of the most common pain related complaints is the headache. Tension headaches, stress headaches, migraine headaches, you name it! Each of these types of headaches has some way to make your head flat out hurt. However, of all the complaints, the most common type is the tension headache.

It is estimated that as many as 90% of all adults have dealt with a tension headache at some point in their life. In fact, many of these people will have to deal with these headaches on a regular and ongoing basis.

Headache? Or is it Another Problem? -

Most of the time headaches go away on their own. However, when a headache does not go away or when it comes on a regular basis, then it may be a symptom of an underlying problem. When it becomes so common that it interferes with everyday life, treatment must be sought immediately.

Causes You May Not Know About -

Tension headaches are easy to diagnose and treat. In general, people recognize when stress has overwhelmed them causing a headache. They know when it has become too much and they are in need of some relaxation. This is when they exercise, meditate or seek out massage therapy. However, you may not know about other causes.

” Sinus Pressure – Sure, you know when you are sick and stuffy – but you may not know that changes in oxygen levels can trigger a sinus headache. Similar to an arthritic knee that can sense a rainstorm, headaches can be a sign of changes in the barometric pressure outside.

” Weather Headaches – Some people refer to this pressure change as a “weather headache.” When it gets hot outside or the humidity changes rapidly, the changes in the atmosphere can trigger painful headaches. While they are not the same as sinus pressure headaches, they are very similar.

It is believed that “weather headaches” are caused by barometric changes in the body. Anything that can affect your body’s natural barometric pressure may trigger a “weather headache.” High humidity and rapid weather cycling has been linked to specific headaches.

” Blood Vessels – A variety of factors can cause the blood vessels in your body to change in diameter, causing pain. The most common method is known as a “caffeine headache.”

Caffeine literally changes the size of the vessels. As long as you are supplying your body with caffeine, the vessels stay the same. However, if you suddenly stop drinking caffeine, then your blood vessels quickly change causing the withdrawal symptom, which results in the infamous “caffeine headache.”

While caffeine is the most well known, it is not the only thing that can change the size of your blood vessels. In fact, the majority of migraine medicines do just that. This effect is great if you are trying to reverse the blood vessel change.

However, if your headache is caused by shrinking vessels and you take a medication to shrink the vessels, then all you achieve is a more painful headache. Therefore, it is important to know which kind of headache you get. Unfortunately, most of the time the only way you find out is by taking the wrong medicine.

Treatment for Headaches -

The best treatment is determining the cause. Tension headaches are relieved by stress relieving activities such as massage. Caffeine headaches are relieved my caffeine found in most over the counter migraine medications. Other headaches will require a doctor or chiropractor.

The best treatment is finding out which type of headache you have and then treating it accordingly.

HealthSource would like to present you with a limited time complimentary consultation, a $179.00 value. To Find the closest chiropractic office near you, go to Locations.HealthSourceChiro.com or call 1-888-977-6734 today.