What’s causing your headache? The answer may surprise you
There are many causes of a headache. Some of the most common stem from dehydration, having a cold or the flu, bright lights, or drinking too much alcohol. However, there are also a number of lesser-known causes of a sore head that you might want to be aware of.
From your morning caffeine fix to being bent over a laptop all day, here are eight possible reasons for your pain – and ways in which you can remedy it.
Caffeine
While a cup of coffee or a can of cola may perk you up, too much caffeine can also be responsible for headaches. But before you go cold turkey, remember that suddenly removing it from your diet can also cause headaches, so it’s important not to make any dramatic, sudden changes.
If you’re suffering with a headache, continue drinking your usual amount of caffeine. Then, once you’ve recovered, if you think that you’d benefit from less caffeine, try to reduce it gradually.
Hormones
Those pesky hormones have a lot to answer for, and you can add headaches to the list. Periods, pregnancy, menopause and the combined contraceptive pill have all been found to trigger headaches.
If you spot a link, try eating regular small meals to keep your blood sugar level, get a good amount of sleep and try some stress-busting activities, such as massage or yoga, to stave off hormone headaches.
SolpaOne’s pain relief could help your headache
One, two… Free
SolpaOne is a new† brand maximum strength paracetamol available in one effervescent tablet*, and thanks to its rapid absorption, it gets to work up to twice as fast as standard paracetamol tablets**, so you’re free to be your best self.
Only available from a pharmacy and providing effective pain relief, SolpaOne is a good tool to tackle tough pain.
SolpaOne can be used to relieve headache, backache and pain and fever associated with colds, flu and sore throats.
To take SolpaOne, place one tablet in a full glass of water and allow to dissolve, then drink straightaway. SolpaOne can be taken with or without food and should always be taken orally.
Ask your pharmacist about SolpaOne today. Available at Boots
Food
It’s possible that the food you eat could be causing the pain in your head. Some foods – such as aged cheese, turkey and processed meat – contain high levels of a natural compound called tyramine, which has been linked to migraines.
Try keeping a food diary to see if there’s a link between your headaches and the food you eat. If you spot a connection, remove that food from your diet for a couple of months and see if you notice a reduction in headaches.
Relaxing after stress
After a manic week in the office, do you ever find yourself struck down with a headache as you start to relax at the weekend? Well, that could be down to your stress levels dropping and rapidly sending out neurotransmitters (the brain's chemical messengers). These in turn tell your blood vessels to constrict, then dilate, which can trigger a headache.
Try not to sleep in for too long at weekends, and introduce relaxation techniques into your week to keep stress levels more steady.
Poor posture
Slouching doesn’t just cause backache – it can trigger headaches too. Tension in your back, neck and shoulders can cause a throbbing pain to develop in the base of your skull, face and forehead.
Seeing a physical therapist can help identify posture issues, and you can also protect yourself by not sitting or standing in the same position for too long, and ensuring you sit up straight and support your lower back when sat down.
Smells
If there seems to be a link between your headaches and a particular perfume, air freshener or toiletry item, it could be caused by some of the chemicals that the product contains.
Try switching to fragrance-free options and keep your doors and windows open as much as possible to help bring fresh air into your home.
Weather
It may sound like an old wives’ tale, but if you're prone to headaches, you may well find that the weather can affect them.
Humidity, rising temperatures and storms can all cause headaches, because changes in atmospheric pressure are believed to trigger chemical and electrical changes in the brain. This in turn irritates nerves, which can cause headaches.
While you may not be able to control the weather, painkillers such as paracetamol can help when you're suffering with a headache.
Grinding teeth
If you’re a night-time tooth grinder, it’s not just your teeth that could be suffering, as the repeated contraction of your jaw muscles may mean you find yourself waking with a headache.
The best way to solve this headache trigger is to visit your dentist, who may recommend you wear a mouth guard or splint while you sleep.
Knowing the cause of your headache can help you prevent one in the future, so it’s worth bearing in mind the lesser-known reasons as well when pain strikes.
How to take SolpaOne
The formula of SolpaOne is designed for quick absorption and offers relief from headaches, muscle aches, and fevers.
When pain strikes:
- Fill a tumbler with water
- Drop one tablet into the tumbler
- Wait for the tablet to fully dissolve, stirring if necessary
- Once fully dissolved, drink the solution straight away
- If needed, another tablet can be taken after 6 hours. Do not exceed the recommended dosage
Always follow the instructions provided on the packet.
Ask your pharmacist about SolpaOne today. Available at Boots pharmacy stores
SolpaOne 1000mg effervescent tablets contains paracetamol. For the treatment of mild to moderate pain and/or fever. For adults and adolescents over 50kg of body weight aged 16 years and above. Always read the leaflet
†New brand
*1 tablet = 1 dose (take only one tablet at a time). Do not take more than 4 tablets (4000mg) per day. Do not use for more than 3 days unless on medical advice. Maximum paracetamol strength in 1 tablet
**Gets to work up to 2x faster than regular paracetamol tablets based on absorption data
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