Headaches have to be one of the most common health problems in women. They often become more noticeable in the reproductive and peri-menopausal years. Our hormones can be partly to blame. The brain receptors for both oestrogen and progesterone, and changing hormone levels can contribute to headaches directly this way. Hormones can also have a powerful influence on the other factors that can cause headaches, especially stress and tension.
Tension Headache is caused by slight tightening of the muscles of the scalp, but the pain is often felt across or behind the eyes, across the forehead or right inside the skull. These headaches are commonly caused by stress, anxiety or tiredness, and are often linked with a slightly stiff, tender neck. They may last only a few hours (occuring) only when there's an obvious cause, or starts on waking and lasts right through the day with increasing severity. It can lead to Analgesic Abuse Headache, meaning taking too many ordinary painkillers, often paracetamol or ibuprofen, on a regular basis until the brain gets used to them and doesn't like it when it has to do without.
Headaches can also be due to :
* hunger and dehydration (particularly when it's caused by an excess of alcohol);
* any acute illness eg flu;
* a sudden drop in caffeine intake;
* food intolerance;
* sinusitis can cause a throbbing pain the the front of the head that gets worse when you bend down;
* a headache that starts behind the eyes, then extends over the head, can be a sign of eye strain, and a need for glasses;
* occasionally, high blood pressure;
* reaction to medicines.
Dr Rosemary Leonard
