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. 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.

Some conditions, like diabetes , may also make you more likely to experience sugar-related headaches. These states can also occur without diabetes in some cases. Hypoglycemia is a condition caused by not having enough sugar in the bloodstream. 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. 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. 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.

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. 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. You should also share your current medications and information about your lifestyles, such as diet, exercise, and alcohol and smoking habits. 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:. 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.

Call your doctor if symptoms persist after trying to raise your blood sugar. This is called the 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.

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. Learn more: Can diabetes cause a headache? Maintaining a healthy diet and other good habits may help you to avoid the side effects of changes in blood sugar.

This includes:. Sugar can be an addictive substance. It may also cause withdrawal-like symptoms in some people. That can help you wean yourself off of the added sugars. Learn more: The practical step guide to breaking up with suga r. The American Heart Association AHA recommends that females consume no more than six teaspoons of added sugar daily and males consume no more than nine teaspoons.

This is in sharp contrast to what Americans actually consume, which is 17 teaspoons tsp for adults, adolescents, and children. To avoid getting added sugar from carbohydrates, you should avoid any that have a lot of added sugar.

You should also focus on eating whole grains and foods with a lot of fiber. What are some natural remedies for headaches? People with diabetes who experience frequent headaches should seek medical advice, as they may need to adjust their treatment plan.

The person should seek medical help if:. The International Classification of Headache Disorders classifies headaches as either primary or secondary.

The pain of either primary or secondary headaches can vary in severity and duration. Some people may not experience headaches often, while others might have a headache several days each week. Other symptoms may occur, depending on the type of headache a person experiences.

For example, migraine might also lead to nausea and increased sensitivity to sound or light. Diabetes headaches tend to cause moderate to severe levels of pain. OTC pain relief can often improve symptoms, but people with migraine may need prescription treatment.

If a person with diabetes has frequent headaches, they may wish to check their blood sugar levels each time to see if there is a pattern.

Anyone experiencing frequent headaches due to hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia should speak with their healthcare team. They may need to adjust their treatment to regulate blood sugar more effectively.

If headaches are severe or persist despite keeping blood sugar levels optimum, a person should seek further advice from their doctor. There may be another reason for a headache. Hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, can affect people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

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Medical News Today. Health Conditions Health Products Discover Tools Connect. Why does diabetes cause headaches? Medically reviewed by Marina Basina, M. Diabetes and headaches Hypoglycemia and headaches Hyperglycemia and headaches Treatment When to see a doctor Types of headache Summary Diabetes does not often cause headaches, but headaches that occur with diabetes can sometimes indicate problems with blood sugar levels, including low or high blood sugar.

Diabetes and headaches. Hypoglycemia and headaches. Hyperglycemia and headaches. Treatment for headaches. When to see a doctor. Types of headache. How we reviewed this article: Sources. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations.

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