Whether it is a sharp or dull pain, a headache can really put a damper on your day. If the headache is severe enough, it can even prevent you from doing your everyday tasks. Before you can treat the pain, it is important to find out why you have a headache in the first place. Here are five reasons you may have a headache:

Dehydration

If you are dehydrated, you can experience many different aches and pains, including headaches. According to Everyday Health, if the fluid sack your brains sits on is low on water, your brain can bump into your skull, leading to headaches. In addition to drinking eight glasses of water a day, eating more fruits and vegetables and limiting dry snacks will help you avoid dehydration.

Exercise

While exercise can be beneficial to your health, very strenuous workouts can trigger headaches. If your exercise routine frequently gives you headaches, you should warm up better or lower the intensity of your workouts. It may also be helpful to take anti-inflammatory medicine about an hour before a workout.

Stress

Whether it is due to long hours at work or drama in your personal life, stress can take its toll on your body. If you frequently experience anxiety, you are more likely to suffer headaches. Stress can cause certain chemicals in your brain to trigger a headache. Engage in activities that reduce stress such as yoga, meditation and long walks.

Smoking

Do you smoke? If so, you are not just increasing your risk of heart disease and lung cancer. You also can experience more headaches. Cigarette smoke can narrow the blood vessels in your brain, triggering headaches. Quitting this dangerous habit can reduce headaches and improve your overall health.

Caffeine Withdrawal

If you have been an avid coffee drinker for a while and stop drinking it suddenly, you could experience caffeine withdrawal, putting you at risk of a headache. If you want to wean yourself off of coffee, you should cut back gradually. For example, if you normally drink three cups of coffee a day, try drinking just two cups for the next week.

As you can see, there are several different factors that can trigger headaches. Once you figure out what your triggers are, you can reduce the amount of headaches you have. However, if you still experience frequent headaches, you should get evaluated by a neurological services and treatment center as soon as possible.