What Is the Underlying Cause of Headaches? 10 Root Causes You Shouldn’t Ignore

Headaches are one of the most common reasons people miss work, reach for over-the-counter medication, or visit a doctor. But while pain relievers may offer temporary relief, they often fail to address the real question:

What is the underlying cause of your headaches?

At Sheen Vein and Cosmetics, we believe headaches are more than just a nuisance—they’re a symptom of imbalance. Whether you’re experiencing dull tension headaches or debilitating migraines, there’s almost always a deeper root cause behind the pain.

In this article, we’ll explore 10 of the most common functional medicine causes of headaches—and how to finally get lasting relief.

1. Food Sensitivities and Triggers

Certain foods can trigger inflammation and vascular changes that lead to headaches—especially migraines.

Common headache triggers include:

Aged cheeses
Red wine and alcohol
MSG and artificial additives
Chocolate
Gluten or dairy (in sensitive individuals)
Caffeine (or caffeine withdrawal)

➡️ Solution: Try an elimination diet or food sensitivity testing to identify reactive foods. Many people find relief from headaches when they remove inflammatory foods from their diet.

2. Dehydration and Electrolyte Imbalance

Even mild dehydration can lead to constricted blood vessels, reduced oxygen delivery, and brain fog—setting the stage for a headache.

➡️ Clues: Headache with dry mouth, fatigue, lightheadedness, or dark urine
➡️ Fix it: Aim for half your body weight in ounces of water per day. Add electrolytes (sodium, potassium, magnesium) if you're sweating, fasting, or low-carb.

3. Hormonal Imbalance

Hormonal fluctuations—especially in estrogen, progesterone, and cortisol—can trigger headaches in both women and men.

Common hormone-related headache patterns:

PMS-related migraines before your period
Perimenopausal fluctuations
Low progesterone or estrogen dominance
Adrenal fatigue or cortisol imbalances
Low testosterone in men

➡️ Functional testing: DUTCH hormone testing or serum hormone panels
➡️ Support: Herbal adaptogens, hormone balancing, and addressing stress and blood sugar

4. Chronic Stress and Cortisol Dysregulation

High stress increases muscle tension, inflammation, and cortisol dysregulation—common triggers for tension headaches or “pressure headaches.”

➡️ Symptoms: Daily tightness around the head, pain in neck or shoulders, anxiety, poor sleep
➡️ Solutions: Deep breathing, vagus nerve stimulation, magnesium, and adaptogens like ashwagandha or rhodiola

5. Magnesium Deficiency

Magnesium plays a critical role in nerve function, muscle relaxation, and blood vessel tone. Low magnesium levels are strongly associated with both migraines and tension headaches.

➡️ Signs of deficiency: Cramping, poor sleep, muscle twitching, anxiety, constipation
➡️ Best forms: Magnesium glycinate (for calming) or magnesium threonate (for brain support)
➡️ Food sources: Dark leafy greens, pumpkin seeds, almonds, avocado

6. Blood Sugar Imbalances

When your blood sugar drops too low or spikes too high, it can affect blood flow to the brain and trigger head pain.

➡️ Clues: Headache before meals, fatigue, shakiness, irritability
➡️ Solution: Eat balanced meals with protein, fat, and fiber. Avoid sugar crashes and excessive caffeine. Intermittent fasting may help in some cases but can worsen symptoms if not done properly.

7. Environmental Toxins or Mold Exposure

Hidden toxins—like mold, VOCs, heavy metals, or pesticide residues—can affect your nervous system and trigger recurring headaches.

➡️ Signs of toxin-related headaches: Brain fog, sinus congestion, fatigue, light sensitivity, symptoms worse in specific buildings or seasons
➡️ Tests to consider: Mycotoxin panel, heavy metal test, or organic acids test
➡️ Support: Glutathione, sauna, binders (activated charcoal or bentonite clay), and air purification

8. Poor Posture and Musculoskeletal Tension

Your head weighs about 10–12 pounds. When posture is off—due to desk work, tech neck, or spinal misalignment—tension builds in the neck, shoulders, and jaw, often triggering headaches.

➡️ Types: Tension headaches, cervicogenic headaches, or TMJ-related pain
➡️ Fix it: Chiropractic care, ergonomic work setup, physical therapy, myofascial release, or massage

9. Gut-Brain Axis Dysfunction

Your gut and brain are closely linked. Gut inflammation, leaky gut, and dysbiosis can increase systemic inflammation and neuroinflammation—contributing to chronic headaches and migraines.

➡️ Clues: Bloating, constipation, food sensitivities, anxiety, or skin issues
➡️ Testing: Stool analysis, zonulin (leaky gut marker), or food sensitivity panel
➡️ Support: Gut healing protocol—remove irritants, repair lining with L-glutamine, rebalance flora with probiotics and prebiotics

10. Medication Overuse or Rebound Headaches

Ironically, frequent use of over-the-counter pain meds (like ibuprofen or Excedrin) can cause rebound headaches—especially if taken more than 10–15 days per month.

➡️ Solution: Work with a provider to taper off excessive medication use while addressing the root cause of the headache.

Functional Medicine Testing for Chronic Headaches

If you're struggling with chronic or unexplained headaches, a functional medicine workup can help uncover the true cause.

At Sheen Vein and Cosmetics, we may recommend:

Hormone testing (thyroid, cortisol, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone)
Nutrient panels (magnesium, B vitamins, iron, CoQ10)
Food sensitivity or allergy testing
Stool and gut microbiome analysis
Mycotoxin or heavy metal panels
Inflammatory markers (CRP, homocysteine, histamine levels)

This approach allows us to create a personalized plan for healing—without guesswork or band-aid solutions.

Natural Therapies That Support Headache Relief

While finding and fixing the root cause is key, some supportive therapies can also provide relief:

Magnesium (glycinate or threonate)
Riboflavin (B2) – supports mitochondrial function
CoQ10 – especially for migraines
Feverfew and butterbur – herbal migraine support
Acupuncture or craniosacral therapy
Infrared sauna or PEMF therapy – reduces inflammation
Red light therapy – for vascular headaches or TMJ

Final Thoughts: Headaches Are a Signal—Not a Diagnosis

Headaches are your body’s way of saying something is off. Whether it’s hormone imbalance, nutritional deficiency, poor gut health, or chronic stress, there is always a deeper reason behind chronic head pain.

You don’t have to rely on painkillers or suffer in silence. Functional medicine offers a clear, root-cause path to relief.

Tired of chronic headaches disrupting your life?
At Sheen Vein and Cosmetics, we uncover the hidden causes behind your symptoms and create personalized treatment plans to help you feel your best—naturally.

📞 Schedule your functional medicine consultation today and finally get to the root of your headaches.

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