This form of headaches can last from one to several days. Here there is also an increased sensitivity to light and sound. Stress, fluctuation in hormone levels, certain foods, emotional illnesses such as depression, medications, even climate changes, such as when the barometric pressure falls before a storm can all be contributing factors to triggering a migraine attack. MSG induced headaches bring on similar symptoms found in migraines. The consumption of too much alcohol, particularly wine, which contains tyramine, an element known to trigger an attack.
Alcohol consumption can result hours later in what is known as a hangover type of headache.
This is one reason why it is important to read all food labels to ensure such ingredients as MSG, nitrates, etc. if one is sensitive to these elements is not present. Migraine headaches for some reason occur more often in women than in men. This can be attributed to hormonal changes, such as a rise or drop in estrogen levels. In case of cluster headaches, these usually produce pain that occurs on one side of the head and can last anywhere from a half-hour to several hours. This particular type of headache is the most painful as the pain is most often described as someone poking a sharp knife or red-hot poker in the eye.