Can High Blood Sugar Cause Headaches
Yes, high blood sugar can cause headaches. The main headache culprit is low blood sugar, which is called hypoglycemia. If a ketone called acetone builds up, it results in ketoacidosis, which causes confusion and increased thirst. If the cells are deprived of oxygen, it leads to inflammation. If a lot of blood sugar is present, it causes high blood pressure, which can cause a headache. So, a headache can occur due to high blood glucose as well. If you are suffering from high blood sugar, or pre-diabetes, then it may be due to not exercising regularly, or not eating right, or not sleeping well. It is important to keep in mind that if you have high blood sugar, then you are more likely to have a heart attack, stroke, or cancer. If your blood sugar levels are high, then you might need to take insulin shots, or eat a well-balanced diet, or exercise to lower your blood sugar level. Eating small meals throughout the day can help prevent high blood sugar, as well as keeping your blood sugar level balanced. The types of food that you eat also matters. For example, food with high protein, fiber and vitamins A and E can help lower your blood sugar level..
How Can I Quickly Lower My Blood Sugar
Sometimes having high blood sugar is not a good thing. If you have a condition like diabetes or you are trying to lose weight, it is important to keep your blood sugar in check. To keep your blood sugar down, you need to be active and eat a well-balanced diet. A lot of people recommend you to go for complex carbohydrates, which are high in fiber, with a moderate amount of proteins and fats. It is important to stay away from simple carbohydrates and sugars. Do not drink any alcohol, and eat a lot of green vegetables and whole grains. Exercise at least 30 minutes a day and you should start seeing a difference in no time..
Vasovagal Syncope As A Cause Of Dizziness
Vasovagal syncope is a common cause of dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting. The vagus nerve is overstimulated and causes the bodys blood vessels to dilate and the heart to slow down. This anti-adrenaline effect decreases the ability of the heart to pump blood upward toward the brain. Without blood flow, the brain turns off. In Victorian England, young ladies sensibilities were easily offended causing a vasovagal episode called a swoon.
Some people faint at the sight of blood. Some parents faint when their child gets immunized. Some medical students faint at their first autopsy. Many types of emotional and physical stressors can overstimulate the vagus nerve, causing dizziness, lightheadedness, and at times fainting .
Fainting is not normal. If a person is unconscious, activate the emergency medical system , and seek medical care.
Read Also: Vitamins To Stop Sugar Cravings
Don’t Miss: Metformin Side Effects In Males
Why Do I Get A Headache After Eating Carbs
Eating the wrong kinds of foods can give you a carb headache. To avoid this problem, eat high-fiber complex carbohydrates, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and limit your intake of refined grains and sugary foods.
Video of the Day
Tip
Eating too much sugar can spike blood glucose, which can cause headaches. The malady is also caused by a dip in blood sugar brought on by skipping a meal or eating simple carbs.
Does Sugar Cause Migraine Headaches For You
The only way to find out for sure is to experiment and see what happens, but be sure to keep a journal. If you’d like more help, there is a food experiment journal in my course – Migraine Pain Management Course
TEST & MONITOR
Angela Stanton Ph.D., author of The Migraine Epidemic, suggests testing 1/2 cup of blueberries first to see if that triggers an attack. Then she suggests testing 1/2 a baked potato and then a whole baked potato. Keep a journal, monitor your results. Test it once to see and then test 2 days in a row, then test 3 days in a row.
But wait a week or so in between testing.
Until next time, be well and be pain free.
WANT HELP WITH FOOD ?
MIGRAINE PAIN MANAGEMENT COURSE
There’s an 8 week food experiment in my Migraine Pain Management Course. The first module is free… continue reading
WANT MORE TIPS? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on , and for all of the latest updates.
Recommended Reading: How Long Does It Take To Lower Your Blood Sugar
Fluctuating Blood Sugar Levels
When we eat food, our body gets to work on digesting and absorbing the meal. Assuming our digestive and endocrine systems are working properly, there is a normal, healthy rise in blood sugar followed by a gradual decline. Blood sugar is kept in a range that allows our body to have enough fuel to provide the brain and all organs of the body to perform vital functions.
For some people, the ability to regulate blood sugar is impaired. Blood sugar levels may climb too high in response to sugars and other high-carbohydrate foods. Their body may sense this elevated blood sugar and respond with a surge in a hormone called insulin to try to reduce the elevated blood sugar. The surge sometimes results in blood sugar getting too low. This can cause sugar headache for those who are prone to it.
The migraine brain is often described as being hyper responsive to normal, benign stimulation. A person who is not prone to headache or migraine attacks may be completely unaware of the ups and downs of their blood sugar whether they are normal fluctuations or not. Contrarily, the person predisposed to migraine may be triggered by the inconsistencies and abnormalities in blood sugar. In this theory about sugar and migraines, the body is sometimes unable to maintain blood sugar in the proper range. This causes the brain to respond with pain as a warning signal that something is wrong.
A leading experts opinion
3 steps to take to avoid sugar and migraine episodes
Associations Between Diabetes And Migraines
A 2019 study suggests that having migraines decreases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in women. Researchers also found that active migraines decreased prior to a diabetes diagnosis.
Researchers investigated the association of diabetes and migraines within a cohort of 74,247 French women. Self-reported questionnaires on migraines were collected from 2004-2014, and diabetes diagnosis was identified based on findings from a drug reimbursement database.
They found a lower incidence of diabetes in women who experienced active migraines than in those who did not experience migraines. They also discovered a decrease in migraine frequency prior to a diabetes diagnosis.
Researchers concluded that one possible cause of this association is that the women who experienced migraines were more likely to have low blood sugars , which can be a migraine trigger.
It should be noted, however, that there are several limitations to this study. First, migraine frequency was self-reported. It is possible for people to over-report or under-report migraines or misdiagnose themselves.
Second, type 2 diabetes cases that were not treated with drugs were not reported. And lastly, the cohort of women is not representative of a robust population, as this study was limited to a population of French women who were health conscious.
Don’t Miss: Metformin Most Common Side Effects
Preventing Migraines Caused By Hypoglycemia
It seems self-evident, but the best way to prevent hypoglycemia and the attendant migraine is to eat regular, healthy meals. If you are diabetic, follow your dietary and medical management plan established by your physician and nutritionist.
- Avoid hidden sugars in packaged foods. Read the label.
- Train your brain to stop craving sugar by eating complex carbohydrates that are found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Eat more vegetables and fruit than pasta, bread, or chips.
Smaller, more frequent meals can help keep glucose levels steady throughout the day. At any rate, do not go more than three hours without eating while you are awake. Make sure to consume a diet balanced in protein, fats, carbohydrates, and fiber. Limit sugary foods and alcohol, especially if your stomach is empty.
Get plenty of exercise, too. Physical exertion helps your body use glucose more efficiently and effectively.
Hypoglycemia has been found to be a cause of migraines in those susceptible to the condition. It can be caused by irregular eating habits or by ingesting too much sugar. If a migraine occurs, it may be treatable by increasing your blood glucose. Prevent migraines by eating a regular, healthy diet.
If you are concerned you suffer from hypoglycemia or diabetes, consult your primary care physician immediately for a diagnosis and proper treatment.
Low Or High Blood Sugar
Low blood sugar occurs when your blood glucose drops below your target range. This usually happens at less than 70 mg/dl, but everyones range is different. It is best to talk to your healthcare provider about what is healthy for you. Often, when you experience low blood sugar, you will need to take action to fix it quickly.
Also Check: Hypoglycemia And Prediabetes
Does High Blood Pressure Cause Headaches Or Other Symptoms
Q.My friend insists that she can feel when she has high blood pressure, because her face flushes and she gets a headache. Is this possible?
A. In almost all instances people cannot feel high blood pressure and are unaware that they have it. This is why it is often referred to as a silent killer.
It is usually only when a person is in the midst of what is known as a hypertensive crisis a period of extremely high blood pressure with a reading of 180/120 millimeters of mercury or higher that she or he will experience symptoms, such as a headache. This is considered a medical crisis, and if it occurs, you should call 911 and get emergency help.
However, even in these instances, high blood pressure can’t be diagnosed based on symptoms alone. The only way to truly tell if you have elevated blood pressure is to take a reading with a blood pressure cuff.
If your friend is experiencing frequent headaches and other symptoms she’s attributing to high blood pressure, it might be wise for her to visit her doctor to make sure another condition isn’t causing the problem. If she does have uncontrolled high blood pressure, she should also be certain to work with her doctor to manage her condition. Unchecked, high blood pressure can lead to numerous complications, including damage to your arteries, brain, heart, and kidneys.
by Hope Ricciotti, M.D., and Toni Golen, M.D.Editors in Chief, Harvard Women’s Health Watch
The Hypoglycemic Connection To Migraines
Since hypoglycemia affects the brain first, most symptoms begin there. For those prone to them, migraines are often the result of fasting, eating high-sugar foods, or skipping meals. Sometimes delayed or irregular meals can create the conditions for a migraine to occur.
In fact, several of the symptoms of hypoglycemia are also harbingers of an approaching migraine: pallor, yawning, sweating, craving sweets, and mood changes . However, other hormones may be released due to the stress of fasting, dehydration, or lack of sleep that are indirect causes of migraines or headaches.
Strangely enough, migraines caused by hypoglycemia may not be accompanied by other typical migraine symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light or sound.
Also Check: Metformin Safe Dose Range
What Causes Your Diabetes Headaches
For many people, having a headache is, unfortunately, a fact of life. Headaches are extremely common, and the World Health Organization states that almost half of adults are estimated to have a headache over the course of a year. There are many different types of headaches, ranging from migraines to tension headaches to cluster headaches and even ice cream headaches that result from eating or drinking something that is extremely cold. Headaches can also occur due to sinus infections, high blood pressure, and medications. If you have diabetes, headaches are even more common. Given all of the possible causes of headaches, its not surprising that so many people suffer from them.
For those who have diabetes and find that a pounding head is more than just a passing nuisance, its time to sort out possible causes. Some of the likely culprits may be directly related to your diabetes. Lets take a look at five ways diabetes causes headaches.
Heart Attack And Stroke
At its most serious, lightheadedness may be a sign of a heart attack or stroke. Other symptoms of a heart attack often accompanying lightheadedness are chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, arm pain, back pain, or jaw pain. Symptoms suggesting a stroke are the sudden onset of headache, numbness, weakness, visual changes, trouble walking, or slurred speech. But in older adults, lightheadedness may be the only symptom of a heart attack or a stroke, especially if it doesnt go away, says Dr. Grossman. In that case, every second counts, so get to an emergency room for treatment.
Read Also: What Yogurt Has The Lowest Sugar
Also Check: Diabetes Meds Side Effects
Can Diabetes Cause Headaches
Headaches arent experienced by everyone with diabetes. Since they are still attempting to balance their blood sugar levels and find a routine that works, people who have recently been diagnosed with diabetes may feel headaches more frequently. Although headaches are less common in older people than in younger people, they are nonetheless a reason for concern. Although the frequency of headaches declines beyond the age of 40, estimates in adults over the age of 50 range from 12 to 50%, and frequent headaches are observed in up to 17% of people over the age of 65, compared to 6% in those under the age of 65. 1,2 In persons over the age of 65, the risk of a subsequent headache with potentially fatal consequences increases tenfold.
Variations in blood sugar levels are the most common cause of headaches in diabetics. A headache can be a sign that your blood glucose levels are excessively high, a condition called hyperglycemia by experts. Hypoglycemia is a term used by doctors to describe when blood glucose levels are too low.
Changes in hormone levels, such as epinephrine and norepinephrine, may cause headaches that a person can link to these oscillations. These hormones may induce discomfort by constricting the blood arteries in the brain. Both adults and children suffer from headaches. In reality, headaches are the most common cause of discomfort. Theyre also a prominent cause of school and work absences.
Broadly, headaches can be classified as either primary or secondary:
Is Headache A Symptom Of Diabetes Type 2
Yes, headache is a symptom of diabetes type 2. It can be a result of many causes such as depression, medication and even excessive alcohol consumption. Before getting worried, you need to make sure that your headache is a result of diabetes. You can consult your doctor and take the necessary steps to get rid of this problem..
Recommended Reading: How Do You Know If You Have High Blood Sugar
First Up How To Tell If Its A Diabetes
When youre not staying on top of your diabetes, it can cause your blood sugar to drop too low or climb too high. Both of these problems are triggers for headaches. Having a headache itself isnt harmful, but it could be a sign that your blood sugar isnt where it should be.
How exactly do blood sugar levels lead to head pain, though? Lets take a closer look at the culprits.
Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, happens when your blood glucose levels drop below where they need to be. It can happen if you skip a meal or if you inject too much insulin.
Its also possible for your blood glucose to dip if you eat something with too many carbs, since the sudden spike in blood sugar can lead to an unhealthy drop after the body tries to compensate.
Usually hypoglycemia-related headaches come on quickly as your blood sugar takes a nosedive. Basically, the brain needs a steady supply of glucose to function. If you dont have enough glucose in your bloodstream to give the brain what it needs, you can end up with a throbbing headache.
High blood sugar, or hyperglycemia, may occur when your blood glucose levels get too high usually at least over 180 mg/dL or 10 mmol/L.
If you have diabetes and are insulin-resistant or arent producing or injecting enough insulin, the glucose from your food cant be absorbed by your cells for energy. That causes the glucose to build up in your bloodstream, which then leads to high blood sugar.
How To Treat Diabetes And Headaches
Diabetic headaches stem from different conditions surrounding diabetes. Yet, these headaches all have diabetes in common, meaning that treatment should focus on managing diabetes.
In other words, in order to treat a diabetic headache, the diabetes should be treated.
Headaches caused by hypo- or hyperglycemia can be treated immediately with the standard methods for dealing with low or high blood sugar.
When looking for how to fix low blood sugar, carbs should be taken. When looking for how to reduce blood sugar level immediately, insulin is usually taken . And dont forget to drink plenty of water!
Calculating the carbs or insulin you need can be quite the headache. See how Hedia can take that off your mind with its carb and insulin recommendations . Download Hedia at the App Store or !
Long-term stable blood sugar will also reduce the problems associated with neuropathy and high blood pressure, and will alleviate symptoms associated with those conditions including headaches. For tips on general blood sugar management, see How to keep Blood Sugar Stable.
In some cases of neuropathic headaches, the pain might be severe enough that some form of pain-killer might be needed. Over-the-counter headache pills might not be enough in these cases certain steroid medications can dull the pain instead.
Certain drugs might also be prescribed, such as amitriptyline, a kind of antidepressant which is additionally used to treat other conditions including migraines.
Recommended Reading: Metformin Extended Release Side Effects