Page 20 - Florida Sentinel 3-10-17

Health

When the temperature changes, it can make a mi- graine more likely. Whether it's a heat wave or a cold snap, the change can trigger a headache. Sunny, hot days can do that, too. Rain or changes in barometric pres- sure also may lead to headaches. While you can't change the weather, you can wear sunglasses on a bright day, stay hydrated, and avoid midday sun.

Strong smells, even nice ones, trigger migraines in many people. Why this hap- pens is unclear. The most common offenders are paint, perfume, and certain types of flowers.

Ouch! How you wear your hair can take a toll on your head. Too-tight braids, and ponytails may strain the connective tissue in the scalp, leading to a hairdo headache. Headbands, braids, and tight-fitting hats can do that, too. If this is the cause of your headache, you’ll usually get fast relief if you let your hair down.

Strenuous activity can sometimes lead to headaches. Examples in- clude jogger’s headache and even a sex headache. These types of headaches are most common in people who are
likely to get migraines. Though rare, this type of headache can also be a sign of a very serious problem such as bleeding in the brain. Call 911 if you get a bad headache after doing some- thing that’s physically hard.

Slouching builds up pres- sure in the head and neck muscles. Do you hunch your shoulders, use a chair with no lower-back support, or stare at a monitor that is too low or too high? If you have frequent tension headaches, these simple lifestyle changes could help.

A migraine trigger for some people is aged cheese,
including blue cheese, ched- dar, parmesan, and Swiss. The problem may be a sub- stance called tyramine. The longer a food ages, the more tyramine it has.

Tyramine is also found in red wine and other alcoholic drinks. Other ingredients in wine can contribute to headaches as well. Because alcohol boosts blood flow to the brain, the effects may be even more intense. Try sip- ping sparkling water or an- other non-alcoholic drink.

Cold cuts and other processed meats often con- tain tyramine and food addi- tives such as nitrites, which may trigger headaches in some people. If you think this could be a trigger for you, try taking these foods out of your diet for a while to see if it makes a difference.

Smoking is known to trig- ger headaches, and not just in the person holding the cig- arette. Secondhand smoke contains nicotine, which causes blood vessels in the brain to narrow. Giving up cigarettes or staying away from secondhand smoke helps a lot if you get cluster headaches. These are ex- tremely painful, one-sided headaches that can also cause eye and nose symp- toms.

If you get a lot of headaches, too much caf- feine may be why. In moder- ation, caffeine often helps. In fact, it’s found in many headache medications. But chain-chugging coffee or sodas can cause headaches. If you want to stop caffeine, ease off gradually. Quitting suddenly can make things worse: Caffeine withdrawal is another headache trigger.
PAGE 8-B FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017