Why You Get Headaches When Bending Over

A headache can seriously smack the life out of your day. Whether you suffer from chronic migraines or headaches from caffeine withdrawal, headaches are some of the most common disorders worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. Sometimes you might feel fine until you bend over. Then the throbbing in your head takes over. What causes this headache depends on whether you have a primary or secondary headache.

According to KHealth, a primary headache is one where the pain is the main complaint, such as a migraine or tension headache. If you typically get a headache while bending over, your body position could be triggering your pain. A secondary headache will stem from another condition, such as dehydration or sinus congestion. If you're dehydrated, you might feel lightheaded while standing up, fatigued, or dry mouth. Dehydration can also cause a headache while bending over or moving your body. When your sinuses are clogged, bending over could build pressure in your head, causing a headache. A positional headache is a rare condition where you'll get a headache due to a change in body position, such as standing up or bending over.

If your headaches are frequent, a doctor can determine if there is some underlying condition causing your headache, such as a positional headache. Most headaches can be relieved by using over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen. Sitting in a quiet, dark room might also ease headache pain (via HealthTap). Drinking water might help your headache, especially if you know you're dehydrated. Some people might find headache relief by drinking something with caffeine, such as hot coffee or tea. You can also try a hot or cold compress over your head for the pain (via KHealth).

Some lifestyle changes can prevent or reduce the severity of headaches. You can start by getting enough sleep at night and moving your body frequently throughout the day. Meditation can help alleviate stress-related headaches. Working on your posture while sitting or driving might ease some of the tension in your neck and shoulders (via San Ramon Urgent Care). Eye strain could also contribute to your headaches, especially if you're staring at a computer screen all day. Wearing blue light-blocking glasses could reduce or prevent future headaches (via HealthTap).