If you often suffer from headaches, it is important to know some habits that may be responsible. A little-known but significant factor is exposure to hot showers in the mornings.
Why can hot showers cause headaches?
Many people enjoy a hot shower upon waking, especially in cold weather. However, this habit can have an unexpected impact on the body. sudden temperature changes between the morning cold and the hot water can affect blood pressure, causing a alteration in cerebral blood flow, generating a sensation of pressure or pain in the head.
According to neurology specialists of the Clementine Churchill Hospital of Middlesex, these pains can last from a few seconds to several minutesIn extreme situations, such as after swimming in cold water or consuming very cold drinks, this type of headache can appear due to the same physiological principle.
Other habits that can cause headaches
In addition to the hot shower, there are other Everyday habits that can trigger headache episodes, including:
- Go to the hairdresser: Leaning your head back on the sink can stimulate the nerves of the trigeminocervical tract, triggering a headache.
- Hold the phone between your shoulder and ear: This posture generates muscle tension in the neck and head, causing discomfort.
- Coughing and sneezing: There are headaches called exertional headaches, generated by sudden pressure on the head due to coughing, sneezing or even intense exercise.
How to avoid hot shower headaches
If you frequently experience headaches After a hot shower, you can take some measures to minimize them:
- Regulates water temperature: Avoid showering with water that is too hot; try to keep it lukewarm to avoid sudden changes in body temperature.
- Adapt your body: Before entering the shower, allow your body to get used to the warmer environment to minimize thermal contrast.
- adequate hydration: Drinking enough water helps maintain blood pressure balance and can prevent headaches.
- Avoid prolonged shower time: Staying under hot water for too long can cause hair loss. blood pressure, increasing the risk of dizziness and headaches.
Healthy alternatives to improve blood circulation
For those looking to avoid this type of discomfort, there are alternative methods to stimulate circulation without suffering the adverse effects of hot showers:
- Warm or cold showers: Alternating between warm and lukewarm temperatures helps improve circulation without negatively affecting blood pressure.
- Head and neck massages: Applying gentle massages to the base of the skull and neck muscles can reduce the accumulated tension and improve blood flow.
- Light exercise in the mornings: Activities such as gentle stretches or a light walk helps to activate circulation naturally.
- Consumption of adequate foods: Incorporating a balanced diet with foods rich in antioxidants and minerals such as magnesium can prevent recurrent headache episodes.
While hot showers may be a pleasure for many people, it is important to recognize their impact on the bodyIf you find that you get frequent headaches after a shower, adjusting simple habits like changing the water temperature or modifying your morning routine can make a big difference in your overall well-being.