Headache

Signs and Symptoms:
Pain in the head, behind the eyes, tension around the neck and shoulders, reduced neck and shoulder mobility. Less commonly, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, altered vision.

Common Causes:

• Mechanical dysfunction around the upper back and neck, muscles  from postural issues, work and exercise related injuries, repetitive positions and injuries, road traffic accidents.
• Emotional factors such as stress, anxiety, depression.
• Sinusitis, temporomandidular joint (TMJ) dysfunction and dental problems.
• Repeated exposure to nitrite compounds can result in a dull, pounding headache that may be accompanied by a flushed face. Nitrite, which dilates blood vessels, is found in chemicals to preserve meat. Hot dogs and other processed meats containing sodium nitrite.
• Eating foods prepared with monosodium glutamate (MSG), such as takeaways, fast foods, soy sauce, meat tenderisers, processed foods containing flavour enhancers.
• Foods that are high in the amino acid tyramine should also be avoided, such as ripened cheeses (cheddar, brie), chocolate.
• Headache can also result from exposure to poisons, even common household varieties like insecticides, carbon tetrachloride, and lead.
• Odors, menstrual periods, and changes in weather.
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Less commonly are headaches with a more serious underlying cause, but those that do require urgent medical attention.