Dealing with summer headaches

For most people, summer is a time for fun. Others, however, may find it to be also a time of headache attacks. A good half of headache cases during the dry spell can be attributed to the hot summer sun. Unfortunately, there''s nothing you can do about the climate. But you can prevent other things from setting off a headache attack.

Certain foods are common headache triggers, too. Chocolate and aged solidified dairy products such as cheddar cheese are at the top of the list of dietary causes. But a variety of other foods, including processed meats, beans and foods with monosodium glutamate (MSG) can trigger a headache, as well.

Alcohol may also contribute to headache, for the reason that it dilates blood vessels. This explains why wines and liquors with high alcohol content often results in a bad hangover, especially if taken in excess. Impurities from fermentation are also another culprit. Red wine and bourbon are long known to cause headaches.

Caffeine is another substance to be wary about. It''s a treatment for some and a trigger for others. Many anti-migraine drugs contain caffeine, which constricts painful blood vessels and prevents the transmission of pain signals to the brain. But caffeine overuse can also cause the pain, just as caffeine withdrawal can.

On the side of the environment, other factors can also set off a headache attack apart from extreme heat or cold. Bright or flashing lights, strong perfumes or chemical odors and pollution are only a few examples.

A headache also strikes amid a stressful situation. This type of headache can be effectively precluded or relieved by simple relaxation therapy. Other known triggers, like lack of sleep and skipping meals or fasting, can easily be treated by getting sufficient sleep and eating on a regular schedule, respectively.

If you have a recurring headache, keeping a record of the attacks will help. By writing down details of a headache, you may able to predict, even prevent, future attacks. Whenever a headache strikes, note the date, the time it starts and ends, its intensity and symptoms. Also note down foods you''ve eaten and anything else you suspect may have triggered it.

Medications taken and other strategies tried for treating a headache should also be noted, along with their outcomes. A detailed diary will help you in identifying triggers and treatments that work. It can also help your doctor decide which medication or therapy is appropriate for your particular type of headache.

Among women, noting where they are in their monthly cycle is important. A headache is more likely to strike around the start of the menstrual period. Falling estrogen levels are believed to trigger an attack. Interestingly, headaches often disappear during pregnancy, and become less frequent after menopause.

Taking over-the-counter painkillers may not always work for everyone. With some people, a common headache pill can cause gastric statis, a condition in which the stomach empties too slowly, delaying the absorption of the drug into the bloodstream and thus prolonging the pain. It is always better to consult a doctor for a specific drug appropriate for a particular type of headache.

For those going on a summer vacation, medicines for headache and other ailments shall be in the list of necessary things to bring along. Likewise, known headache triggers must be avoided. One should not take chances, or else the much anticipated wonderful time will end up being spent in a corner, in throbbing pain.