Dr. Hoang Quyet Tien, from the Medical Information Center at Tam Anh General Hospital TP HCM, states that headaches can stem from nerve damage, brain tumors, stroke, or other ear-related conditions. However, this symptom also frequently arises from various non-medical causes.

Stress and overwork

After long hours of continuous work, intense focus, or under pressure, some individuals experience a dull ache or a tightening sensation around the head, often accompanied by stiff neck and shoulders. This is a common type of headache caused by stress. For those with migraine, a chronic neurological disorder, stress can trigger episodes.

Stress and overwork can cause headaches. Photo: Dinh Dieu

Dehydration

Significant fluid loss from exercise, heavy sweating at work, exposure to hot weather, vomiting, or diarrhea without adequate rehydration can lead to electrolyte imbalance and trigger headaches.

The pain can emerge during or after dehydration, lasting from a few hours to 72 hours. Dehydration headaches are typically dull or throbbing, affecting one side or spreading across the entire head. Sufferers often experience thirst, dry mouth, fatigue, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, dark urine, or infrequent urination. Severe dehydration can result in confusion, disorientation, and difficulty urinating.

Sleep schedule changes

Staying up late, restless sleep, sudden shifts in sleep schedules, or oversleeping can also cause headaches. These disruptions imbalance brain chemicals, putting pressure on the nervous system.

Headaches before or during menstruation

Some women experience moderate to severe headaches, accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light and sound, before and during their menstrual cycle. This is attributed to a drop in estrogen before menstruation, with hormonal changes causing cerebral blood vessel constriction.

Skipping meals and irregular eating

Fasting leads to low blood sugar, causing stomach rumbling, fatigue, trembling hands, difficulty concentrating, low energy, and headaches.

Additionally, consuming trigger foods like chocolate, cheese, caffeine, or alcohol can initiate headaches. Individuals should maintain a food diary. If a headache occurs immediately after eating a specific food, eliminating it can help protect health.

According to Dr. Tien, if headaches accompany fatigue, body aches, fever, sore throat, nasal congestion, cough, or other signs of infection, they could be an early warning of a health condition requiring monitoring, such as a respiratory infection or flu.

The doctor advises individuals with persistent headaches of unknown origin to seek medical examination for proper diagnosis and management. Additionally, everyone should maintain a balanced lifestyle, work-rest schedule, and adequate nutrition. Regular supplementation with natural extracts like blueberry and ginkgo biloba can help neutralize free radicals, supporting improvement in headaches and insomnia.

Dinh Dieu