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Oct 27, 2018 · They just won’t feel great. The “hangover” sensation really comes into play a few hours after you eat all that sugar, when the insulin your pancreas secreted after you ate causes a blood ...
- Sugar
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- Sugar
- Overview
- Sugar and headaches
- Hypoglycemia vs. hyperglycemia
- Seeking help
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Prevention
- Outlook
Sugar is a vital component of your body’s chemistry. Having too much or too little sugar in the blood may contribute to headaches. This is because sugar directly affects your brain and nervous system.
Learning how to maintain a proper level of sugar in your blood may prevent future headaches. If you have persistent headaches related to sugar, you should talk with your doctor.
Headaches related to sugar have to do with your blood glucose level. Glucose gives your body energy and may increase or decrease in your bloodstream.
Your body maintains a proper blood sugar level by transporting it into cells with insulin.
Fluctuations in your glucose level affect your brain more than any other organ. These rises and drops can result in a headache.
Having high blood sugar can lead to a headache. In addition, low blood sugar may trigger a migraine episode in people prone to the condition. These conditions are known as hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, respectively.
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia is a condition caused by not having enough sugar in the bloodstream. It usually occurs when your blood sugar levels dip below 70 mg/dL. Sometimes, the symptoms may not begin until the levels are 55 mg/dL or lower. This can happen after skipping a meal or going for a long period of time without eating. If you have diabetes, you may experience hypoglycemia, as the body cannot control blood sugar levels on its own. This may be exacerbated if you’re taking prescribed insulin. A headache can occur as a symptom of hypoglycemia. You may also experience reactive hypoglycemia. This is a rapid drop in your blood sugar after eating a meal. This occurs within four hours of eating. Eating food raises your blood sugar fast, and your body begins to overproduce insulin. The body continues to produce insulin even after it has digested the glucose from your meal, leading to a rapid blood sugar decline. This may be caused by the food itself, by the timing of when you ate it, or be exacerbated by other factors such as alcohol or certain metabolic disorders. Research also shows reactive hypoglycemia may trigger migraine episodes in some people. A non-migraine headache related to low blood sugar may feel dull in nature and throb around your temples. You may feel nausea with a headache or migraine caused by hypoglycemia. Other symptoms of hypoglycemia include: •lightheadedness •weakness •sweating •sleepiness •shakiness •pale skin •heart palpitations •hunger •anxiety •mood changes •blurred or impaired •confusion •change in consciousness (if low blood sugar is severe)
Hyperglycemia
Hyperglycemia is a condition caused by a blood sugar level that is too high. This happens when your body is unable to break down glucose efficiently with insulin. Your blood sugar may rise above 125 mg/dL while fasting or 180 mg/dL two hours after eating. Hyperglycemia after eating is called postprandial hyperglycemia. One of the symptoms may be a headache. This is also known as a sugar hangover. The research on this phenomenon is limited, and it may be rare. If it does occur, other symptoms may include: •Fatigue •Feeling foggy •Blurred vision •Increased thirst If you’re experiencing these symptoms, speak to your doctor to determine the best treatment for you.
Contact your doctor if you experience frequent headaches tied to sugar changes in blood sugar. Your doctor can evaluate whether there are any associated or underlying medical conditions
Untreated hyperglycemia can lead to a serious condition called ketoacidosis. This condition typically happens when your body does not make enough insulin and cannot control your blood sugar levels. Instead of using glucose, the body uses fat to make energy.
Your doctor will likely test your glucose levels if you suspect your headaches are related to sugar intake.
These tests may involve fasting or eating a meal and then testing your blood sugar level. Your doctor will also ask about:
•symptoms
•daily habits
•health history
•other relevant information
The treatment for headaches related to changes in blood sugar depends on the underlying cause. Understanding the cause can help you find the best treatment for you.
Immediate treatment of hypoglycemia should include increasing your blood sugar levels quickly. You can do this by drinking juice, a sugar-based soft drink, or eating a piece of candy.
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) suggests that if your blood sugar remains below 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) 15 minutes after eating 15 grams (gs) of carbohydrates, then you should repeat the process until your sugar is at least 70mg/dl. Call your doctor if symptoms persist after trying to raise your blood sugar. This is called the 15-15 rule.
Children may need to eat less than 15 gs, so it is always best to discuss the best process for you or your child with a doctor.
Chronic headaches related to changes in blood sugar should be treated according to your doctor’s advice. If you have frequent hypoglycemia, you may need to have meals at regularly scheduled times and eat foods without simple carbohydrates, like white sugar. You may also need to adjust your eating schedule to eat more frequent small meals throughout the day.
Sugar-related headaches caused by diabetes require a more in-depth treatment plan. Your doctor will work with you to develop this plan.
Maintaining a healthy diet and other good habits may help you to avoid the side effects of changes in blood sugar. This includes:
•reducing stress
•exercising regularly
•drinking plenty of water
•getting enough sleep
•moderating caffeine and alcohol
Sugar-related headaches may be a sign of hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. If you get headaches regularly, talk with your doctor. Maintaining a healthy diet and other lifestyle habits may reduce the frequency of these types of headaches.
- Natalie Silver
Dec 6, 2023 · When this happens, the sudden decrease in blood sugar causes hypoglycemia. This can lead to several symptoms, such as an upset stomach and nausea, shakiness, tiredness, lightheadedness, mood swings, and headache. The type of headache associated with a sugar crash resembles a typical hypoglycemic headache.
- Angelica Bottaro
Jun 15, 2020 · A person may get a headache from a rapid change in blood glucose levels. Both too much and too little sugar can cause a headache. Consuming too much sugar or refined carbohydrates can lead to high ...
Another reason why sugar makes you feel crummy is because overeating it can cause inflammation in the body, according to Gorin. The way this works is what researchers say is via a process in the ...
Dec 31, 2021 · A ‘sugar hangover’ occurs when so much sugar is consumed that blood glucose reaches high enough levels to cause hyperglycemia, symptoms of which include fatigue, foggy thinking, headache, and ...
People also ask
Can a sugar hangover cause a headache?
What causes a sugar hangover?
What happens if you have a sugar hangover?
What causes a headache if you eat too much sugar?
Can high blood sugar cause a headache?
Can a sugar crash cause a headache?
A hyperglycemia-induced headache tends to be milder but can worsen as blood sugar levels rise or remain at high levels. On the other hand, a headache as a result of hypoglycemia produces a dull, throbbing pain occurring on one side of the head. This can last anything from a few hours to a few days and can also occur when you haven’t eaten enough.
