There are several different kinds of headaches, from migraine to tension to sinus. But as we understand more and more about headaches, it becomes apparent that they are frequently preventable.

Instead of constantly reaching for the aspirin bottle, try a more proactive approach to pain management. By following these 10 effective strategies, you can stop your next headache in its tracks.

1. If you're spending time outdoors on a sunlit day, cover up with a hat. An overdose of the sun's warmth can lead to vascular changes in your brain and alter its complex balance of fluids. A headache is often the consequence.

2. Avoid exhaust fumes. The noxious mix of chemicals produced by construction equipment or a car's exhaust pipe can rapidly set off a headache.

3. Don't style your hair too tightly. Tight ponytails, braids and buns irritate the connective tissues of the muscles around your scalp. The same applies to headbands, tight hats and heavy earrings.

4. Take it easy. Stress is a known cause of tension headaches. If you're feeling stressed, take a break, take a walk, listen to music, or soak in a hot tub. Even a short nap can help forestall a headache if you feel one coming on.

5. Easy on the noise. Noise can be a major cause of headaches. And it's not just honking horns, construction, or sirens we're talking about here. Turn down the volume on your iPod, turn off the TV unless you're really watching it, or send your kids outside to play for a little while. Silence can be golden, especially when it comes to headache prevention. If necessary, invest in some earplugs for those times when you're going to have to be in a noisy environment.

6. Make a visit your dentist. Sometimes, toothache pain can actually masquerade as headache pain, or can make a headache occur when you didn't have one before. Making sure everything is fine in your mouth will help ensure that everything is fine with your head, too. This is especially true if your troublesome tooth is in your upper mouth instead of your lower mouth.

7. Straighten up. Poor posture can trigger a headache because it puts pressure on the muscles in your shoulders and neck. If your job requires you to sit most of the day, take care that your workstation is set up to discourage slouching. You might want to try out a cushion to support your back.

8. Eat regularly. Skipping meals leads to low blood sugar and plunging energy levels, which can trigger a migraine.

9. Steer clear of monosodium glutamate and caffeine, both of which are known to cause migraines.

10. Keep track of your headaches. Start a headache journal and write down when you get them and what you were doing when you got one. What did you eat? What was the weather like? Could it be a symptom of PMS? Keeping a "headache journal" can help pinpoint possible causes of headaches if you see a pattern of what you were doing/eating, etc., just before one occurred.

The above are just some ways you can pinpoint and eliminate, or at least reduce, headaches. If they continue, make sure you get your doctor's advice. It is often possible, though, to take care of headaches, as long as you know what you're doing, without having to resort to medications.

So put your new-found knowledge to use and starting heading off those headaches.