Headaches are a common problem that affects one in seven adults worldwide. They can affect various areas in the head, and can also happen on occasion, daily, or several times a day. There are over 150 different headache types, and each can be triggered by a range of factors — from physical and psychological stress to medication and hormonal changes.
Many people find that certain foods and beverages can also trigger headaches.
Knowing which ones to avoid can help you prevent a debilitating headache episode, and Dr. Irfan Lalani and our expert team at Irfan Lalani, MD, PA, inSugar Land, Texas, are here to help. Let’s explore the various headache types — along with five common dietary triggers.
Headaches are classified as either primary or secondary, meaning they’re either the result of issues that directly cause head pain, or problems derived from other conditions that lead to the same pain. Some examples of both include:
One of the most common headache types — affecting as many as 40% of people worldwide — this primary headache can be either episodic or chronic.
Migraine is a neurological condition that affects people in phases: prodrome, aura, pain attack, and postdrome. Not everyone who suffers from migraine has all four phases; some people deal with these headaches occasionally, while others get them several days a month.
A less common headache type, cluster headaches are characterized by intense pain that happens in clusters once or several times daily for up to six weeks — and then goes into remission for up to six months.
This secondary headache type can happen due to a migraine or sinus infection that creates pressure in the sinus cavity.
This secondary headache type stems from medication overuse or withdrawal. Rebound headaches can be triggered by acetaminophen, pain relievers with caffeine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), narcotics, and some migraine medications.
Pain is just one of the ways headaches can make you feel miserable. Other common symptoms include throbbing, dizziness, lightheadedness, trouble concentrating, fatigue, mood changes, appetite loss, nausea or vomiting, and sensitivity to light, noise, or smells.
Headache symptoms vary from type to type. In rare cases, they may cause other issues, like red or teary eyes, droopy eyelids, and head pain that worsens with physical activity.
Foods and drinks that are common headache triggers include:
Most alcoholic drinks contain substances like histamines, tyramines, and sulfites, which are linked to issues with migraine headaches in particular. Even if these substances aren’t present, alcohol itself is known to dilate blood vessels and prompt the same result — head pain.
The tyramine mentioned in alcohol is also present in many aged cheeses, including cheddar, blue cheese, English stilton, parmesan, Swiss, and mozzarella.
This favorite treat contains beta-phenylethylamine, a compound that simulates the brain and central nervous system, carrying the risk of triggering a headache in the process.
Cold cuts, salami, bacon, and sausages are preserved with nitrates that can trigger headache pain. Like alcohol and aged cheeses, processed meats also contain tyramine.
Caffeine, the stimulant commonly found in coffee, tea, energy drinks, and certain soft drinks, has the distinction of being able to cause — and sometimes help with — headaches by dilating blood vessels in your brain.
Need help identifying your headache triggers? Start by monitoring your intake of these foods and drinks — and taking note of everything you ate and drank prior to a headache episode. Do you need help controlling your chronic headaches? Make an appointment with Dr. Lalani today.
