Sometimes the pain is hot, piercing, and throbbing. Sometimes it's dull and aching. Headaches are a way of life for more than 45 million Americans. According to Dr. Stephen Flitman of Barrow Neurological Institute , a headache starts when blood vessels tighten and constrict. As the heart beats and blood rushes through those vessels, the membrane outside the brain stretches and the sufferer feels pain.
Stress is a trigger for many headaches.
It might be easier said than done, but reducing stress helps alleviate headaches. Nicotine and caffeine are also culprits. When the body is used to having either of them, a drop in the levels can bring on a headache. Weeding nicotine and caffeine from your life will help, but it should be done slowly. Certain foods can trigger a chemical reaction and lead to a headache.