Do you suffer an occasional inexplicable headache and now you’re trying to pinpoint the reason? Have you ever considered something about your environment may be what’s causing your headaches. There are various environmental factors that are known to initiate headache pain in some. This health blurb offers a bit of information about some of these environment related causes to help you solve the “is your environment causing you headaches?” query.
Weather Causing Headaches
Hot weather, increase in humidity or barometric pressure changes are known to cause some a headache. I start with this environmental factor because sudden air pressure change downward coupled with an increase in humidity are weather conditions that cause me an ”air head” headache. This headache causing combo occurs routinely during the summer monsoonal flow in the southwestern U.S.
Why weather cause headaches isn’t clear. Yet, what seems to help most for my weather related headache is aerobic exercise. Perhaps the increased circulation or the rise in oxygen, serotonin and endorphin levels may have something to do with it. Another method I use is take Goody’s or BC, which are essentially aspirin and caffeine in a powder form.
High Altitude Caused Headache
Some who venture too quickly into high altitudes develop an intense headache. Why it happens is not fully understood and the sudden drop in oxygen level is not the reason since oxygen therapy does not prove to offer any relief. Your headache may subside after your body has a chance to adapt to the higher altitude. However, some continue to have recurring headaches.
You could try taking aspirin before you go up to discover if it helps prevent an ache in your head. Or take ibuprofen when you feel your headache start to come on. If you have no relief after adaptation or the use of drugs, then you could always take yourself down to an elevation that’s lower than the level causing you headaches.
How An Allergy Causes Headache
When you suffer from some type of allergy your immune system reacts to the presence of an antigen by releasing histamine. Histamines cause the blood vessels in your brain to dilate, which can result in a headache. Taking an antihistamine can help relieve this environment cause for a headache.
Chemical Fumes, Strong Odors Triggered Headaches
A sensitivity to certain chemicals could be causing you headaches, for instance those found in cleaners, petroleum products, building materials, smoke, air pollution, etc. Even perfume or cologne worn by someone else can even trigger this type of headache. And if you are highly sensitive, then a headache may result from just a slight intake of fumes or odors. So, complete avoidance of breathing in chemical fumes and strong odors may be your only prevention measure for these headaches.
Finally, excessive noise or bright lights are two other environmental factors that can cause stress headaches in those who have a sensitivity to them. Ear plugs and sun glasses are helpful to combat these headache producing triggers.