Headaches — Causes, Myths, and Real Scientific Solutions
“Today my head is hurting a lot.”
You’ve probably said this to someone before, or heard it from someone else — right? Sometimes it’s pain on the right side, sometimes on the left, sometimes in the front, sometimes at the back. Headaches have become such a common problem.
And when we ask our parents for a solution, they often say: “Wake up early.” or “Stop using your phone so much.”
But science says there’s no proven link between waking up early or phone usage and headaches.
The World Health Organization (WHO) even reports that 1 in 2 people experience headaches at some point in their life. This might make you think — Wow, headaches are really common. But if you get frequent headaches, they can sometimes be a warning sign of serious conditions like brain tumors, which can even be life-threatening.
So today, let’s understand:
– Why are headaches so common these days?
– What types of headaches are most frequent?
– And most importantly — what are the scientific solutions?
First, a surprising fact
Your brain itself has no pain receptors.
Yes — the brain cannot actually “feel” pain. So when you have a headache, it’s not your brain hurting. The pain comes from the muscles and blood vessels around the brain.
When there’s a problem in your body, signals are sent to your brain that cause these blood vessels or muscles to tighten (contract) or expand (dilate), which is what creates the sensation of pain.
There are over 150 types of headaches, but today I’ll cover six of the most common ones — and their solutions.
1. Tension Headache
Pain: Feels like a tight band from the front of your head across to the sides.
Cause: Stress, anxiety, lack of sleep — all of which cause the muscles around your brain to contract.
Fact: 78% of people experience a tension headache at least once in their lifetime.
2. Migraine
Pain: Usually on one side of the head, severe and throbbing.
Cause: Overly sensitive nerve tissues in the brain. Even small triggers — certain foods, temperature changes, hormonal shifts — can cause intense pain.
Fact: Migraines affect about 23% of people, and women are 3 times more likely to experience them due to hormonal changes.
3. Gastric Headache
Pain: Above the eyes, sometimes spreading to the temples.
Cause: Digestive issues such as acidity or indigestion.
Why: The vagus nerve connects your stomach to your brain. Poor digestion irritates this nerve, sending pain signals to your head.
4. Hypertension Headache
Pain: At the back of the head.
Cause: High blood pressure, often due to excess sodium/salt intake.
More common in people aged 20+ and especially over 30.
5. Sinus Headache
Pain: Around the nose, forehead, and under the eyes.
Cause: Cold, flu, allergies, or sinus infections. Often worsens with dust, pollen, or sudden weather changes.
6. Cervicogenic Headache
Pain: Starts from the neck and moves toward the forehead.
Cause: Poor posture from long laptop/mobile use. Misalignment of the spine and neck compresses nerves, leading to pain.
Solutions
For Tension Headache:
– Soak your feet in warm water with a pinch of salt.
Why it works: Warm salted water draws blood toward the feet, relaxing contracted muscles around the brain.
Research shows 33% of people get relief from this method.
For Migraine:
– Maintain a “Trigger Diary”: Write down when migraines occur and what may have triggered them — then avoid those triggers.
– Practice Bhramari Pranayama: Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and make a slow “hummm” sound 5–6 times.
Why it works: The vibration relaxes sensitive brain muscles. Studies show 50% of people experience relief.
For Gastric Headache:
– Avoid very spicy food to reduce acidity.
– Drink warm water with black salt and ajwain (carom seeds).
Why it works: Ajwain aids digestion; black salt helps neutralize stomach acid, relaxing the vagus nerve.
For Hypertension Headache:
– Reduce salt intake to lower sodium levels.
– Try the 4-Second Breathing Hack: Inhale for 4 seconds → Hold for 4 seconds → Exhale for 4 seconds.
Why it works: Helps lower blood pressure and reduce headache pain.
For Sinus Headache:
– Inhale steam from hot water with a pinch of salt.
Why it works: Clears mucus, opens nasal passages, and reduces pressure in the head.
For Cervicogenic Headache:
– Apply a hot towel to the neck for instant relief.
– Practice “chin tucks”: Gently touch your chin toward your neck, aligning your head with your spine.
Why it works: Correct posture reduces nerve compression and prevents future headaches.
Final Advice:
If your headache is severe, persistent, or different from your usual pattern, see a doctor immediately to rule out serious causes.
Headaches may be common — but ignoring them can be dangerous.