3 Reasons Hunger Can Cause Headaches
Have you ever had a headache when you were hungry? If so, you don't have to worry too much. Headaches or dizziness when the stomach is hungry is a common condition experienced by many people.
Causes of headaches when hungry There are various reasons hunger can cause headaches. Here are some possibilities:
1. Low blood sugar levels
Calories in food are a measure of energy. Our bodies need a consistent source of energy in the form of food as fuel. If we haven't eaten anything for a long time, we can experience low blood sugar. Low blood sugar or hypoglycemia is a condition when the level of glucose in the blood is 70 mg/dL or less.
Reporting from Very Well Health, when hypoglycemia occurs, people may experience symptoms such as headaches, shaking, and confusion. In response to the occurrence of hypoglycemia, our bodies release hormones that signal the brain that we are hungry. Well, this same hormone can increase blood pressure and tighten the blood vessels in our body, then trigger headaches.
Hypoglycemia is common in diabetics, especially those with type 1 diabetes. However, having low blood sugar does not necessarily mean that a person has diabetes. People with non-diabetic hypoglycemia are generally advised to go no more than three hours between meals. A study showed that hypoglycemic patients were more likely to be hungry and have headaches, compared to non-hypoglycemic patients. Type 1 diabetes is when the pancreas cannot produce insulin, whereas type 2 diabetes occurs when the body has difficulty responding to insulin properly and regulating glucose levels. If a person with type 2 diabetes takes too much insulin, they may experience low blood sugar.
2. Dehydration
Another cause of headaches when hungry is dehydration.
Headaches are a common symptom of dehydration, when the body doesn't get enough fluids. Fluids are needed by the body to perform basic functions, such as cellular metabolism. Fluids also help the body process food by contributing to the energy cycle the body needs to maintain basic functions. When the body is not performing basic functions at an optimal level, it will begin to conserve energy. This can lead to narrowing of the blood vessels which can lead to headaches.
3. Lack of caffeine
intake For coffee lovers, lack of caffeine intake can cause headaches. Regular consumption of caffeine can cause dilation (expansion) of blood vessels. When the body doesn't get the caffeine it normally gets, blood vessels can constrict and cause headaches from caffeine "withdrawal". If you regularly consume two or more cups of coffee per day, a lack of caffeine intake can cause headaches.
Symptoms of hunger headaches
Reporting from Health Line, hunger headaches are often very similar to the symptoms of tension headaches or tension headaches. Some common symptoms include: Dull pain Feeling as if there is a tight rope wrapped around the head Feeling pressure on the forehead or side of the head Feeling tension in the neck and shoulders When blood sugar drops, we may notice other symptoms as well, including: Dizziness Fatigue Stomach pain
Feeling cold Staggering These additional symptoms tend to appear gradually.
We may start with just a dull headache, but as we delay eating, we may begin to notice other symptoms. Symptoms of hunger headaches tend to go away within about 30 minutes after eating. In the meantime, you should seek immediate medical attention if your headache is severe, sudden, and accompanied by any of the following symptoms: Weakness on one side of your face Numbness in your arm Slurred speech This type of headache can be a sign of a stroke.
Comments