Nobody wants to be told their mystery symptoms are all in their head.
Even if, in this case, they are. Although almost everybody gets headaches now and again, those with chronic mystery headaches want to know what’s causing them and how to finally be rid of the pain. Learn what causes mystery headaches and what you can do to finally get some relief.
Food Allergies
The cause of mystery headaches can be as simple as what’s on your dinner plate.
Tension and migraine headaches can be caused or exacerbated by an undiagnosed food allergy or intolerance to one or more foods. Common culprit foods are wheat/gluten, dairy, citrus fruits, nuts, shellfish, and soy.
The best way to test if food allergies are causing your mystery headaches is to eliminate suspected foods from the diet for at least a couple of weeks and then reintroduce them at a rate of one per day at the end of the elimination period. If your headache symptoms disappeared during the elimination period and returned during re-introduction, you’ve found your culprit(s) and can permanently remove them from your diet.
Food Additives and Preservatives
In addition to food allergies, food additives and preservatives can cause mystery headaches.
Common offenders are:
- Aspartame
- High fructose corn syrup
- Sulfites and nitrates
- Food dyes
- Polysorbate 80
- MSG
The best way to find out if food additives and preservatives are causing your mystery headaches is to cut processed food from your diet and replace them with healthier alternatives such as organic meat, poultry, fish, and whole grains, as well as fresh vegetables and fruit.
A diet rich in whole foods may be all you need to eliminate your persistent headaches!
Environmental Allergies
Environmental allergies sometimes mean more than just springtime hay fever. Have you gotten any new carpeting or flooring lately? You may be having a bad reaction to the chemicals. What about a new mattress? Same thing.
Also, take a look at your cleaning products, make-up, and air fresheners. Most commercial products contain synthetic chemicals that can cause mystery headaches, among other allergic reactions.
The best way to eliminate toxins from your home is to replace your personal care and cleaning products with natural, organic alternatives.
Also, a note on air freshener: Research has shown many of the popular air freshener products on the market have been linked to neurological problems. Neurological problems = mystery headaches, among other uncomfortable symptoms.
Do your health a favor and ditch the air fresheners in favor of safer alternatives, such as essential oils and handmade potpourri.
A Cliganic Organic Essential Oils Set is a convenient, affordable way to freshen your home with your choice of lemongrass, eucalyptus, orange, lavender, or peppermint!
Vitamin D Deficiency
Because of the poor nutritional content of the American diet, many people have hidden vitamin deficiencies. Vitamin D deficiency is one of the most common and can contribute to chronic headaches.
A simple blood test can tell you if you’re vitamin D deficient.
One of the easiest ways to get a healthy dose of vitamin D is to get at least a few minutes of unprotected sun exposure each day. Alternatively, supplementing your diet with 1,000 – 2,000 IU of vitamin D per day may also help relieve mystery headaches.
Note: It is recommended that you receive a blood test first to test for vitamin D deficiency before adding a supplement.
Medication Side Effects
If you’re taking prescription medications, ask your doctor or pharmacist if headaches are a common side effect. Your healthcare team may be able to switch you to a different brand or suggest an alternative treatment method.
Furthermore, if you habitually use over-the-counter pain relievers for your mystery headaches, you may be getting what’s called a ‘rebound headache’ as your body becomes “immune” to the drug.
Vision Problems
Do you often get your mystery headaches after watching TV, reading, or using the computer? If so, you might need corrective eyewear.
Moreover, if your pain is mostly around your eyes after spending too much time on the computer, you may be suffering from eye strain. Be sure your desk is ergonomically correct and you take frequent breaks during the day to reduce this discomfort.
Neck or Head Injury
Even if a car accident or sports injury happened months or even years ago, it might have left lasting damage that is causing your mystery headaches.
Physical therapy, acupuncture, yoga, and chiropractic medicine as well as natural supplements can help alleviate this chronic pain.
Whatever the reason for your mystery headaches, this article gives you something to start with. Be sure to do plenty of your own research, and don’t give up.
Note: If you have a serious medical condition, consult your doctor before trying any alternative methods.
Sources:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8352645/
https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/diet/
https://www.endocrinecenter.com/blog/the-link-between-headaches-and-vitamin-d-deficiency
