Headaches occur because of the stimulation or irritation of pain receptors in structures of the head and neck, including muscles, nerves, arteries, membranes of the ear, nose, and throat, and sinuses. Various factors can trigger this pain, such as stress, muscular tension, infections, diet, eye problems, hormonal changes, medication side effects, dehydration, poor posture, and injury to the head or neck. Additionally, headache types like migraine or tension headaches arise due to overactivity or problems with pain- sensitive structures in the head, and may be influenced by chemical activity in the brain or genetics. Common triggers also include lifestyle factors such as lack of sleep, alcohol consumption, skipping meals, and exposure to loud noises or bright lights, as well as medical conditions like sinus infections or high blood pressure. Essentially, headaches are a symptom caused by many different sources that irritate the nerves or muscles in the head and neck area.
