Shuffling between the busy routine of personal and professional life, we start skipping our daily meals or not having them at a fixed time. Isn’t it? With such a routine, we begin complaining about consistent headaches.
This headache lasts after we have something to munch. With due course of time, the headache gets worse if left untreated. It is a hunger headache; caused by long hours of hunger or lower blood sugar levels.
If you also often experience hunger headaches, this article is dedicated to you to understand the theory behind it. So let’s dive in…
What’s a Hunger Headache?
Also termed as fasting headache, hunger headache arises with longer spans of not eating. When you do not take enough meals or skip meals or delay having them; you encounter sudden sharp pain in your head. This is because of the lack of required glucose in your body; your blood sugar levels drop.
To give the dearth alert to your brain, your body begins releasing certain hormones, raising your blood pressure, and causing the veins to dilate (tighten).
Hunger headaches may seize suddenly or gradually, leaving you with unbearable pain around the temples. The pain can be submerged under the doses of over-the-counter pills but not for longer hours until you take enough calories in your meal.
What Causes Hunger Headache?
The prime cause behind hunger headaches is the drop in your blood sugar levels which causes your veins to tense and tighten as compared to the normal state. T
he sudden or gradual fall in your blood sugar levels leads to muscle tension and stress with which you start experiencing sharp headaches around your temples and the rear area of your head.
The secondary causes of hunger headaches are mentioned below-
- Skipping your daily meals
- Not taking meals at regular timings
- Dieting or adopting new eating regimens
- Excess intake of caffeinated beverages
- Skipping meals for longer spans
- Not getting enough sleep
Apart from these causes, stress is another reason which drops your blood sugar levels. This raises tension in your blood veins, resulting in sheer head pain. Hunger headache resolves around 72 hours after eating an appropriate meal rich in fiber, carbohydrate, nutrients and supplements.
What are the Symptoms of Hunger Headache?
With consistent pain in your head, you may experience some other symptoms, indicating an unbearable hunger headache. Have a glance-
- Mild Nausea
- Pain around your neck and shoulder
- Abdominal pain
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Sweatiness
In severe cases, people may reflect below mentioned symptoms that are the signs of stroke. You should visit your physician in such a case.
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Feeling exhausted
- Mood swings
- Vision loss
- Slurred speech
How Can I Prevent Hunger Headache?
You can get relief from hunger headaches and prevent possible attacks by knocking out the prime causes; that is,
- Taking your meal at regular or short intervals to maintain the blood sugar levels.
- A healthy meal plate three times a day along with 3-4 small snacks.
- Reducing the amount of caffeine in your diet
- Adopting healthy eating habits
- Avoiding processed and stale food
- Tracking your blood sugar levels at regular intervals if you’re diabetic
- Keeping yourself hydrated throughout the day
- Taking sound sleep of at least 6-7 hours
- Practicing mindfulness and avoiding stress scenarios
When to Visit a Doctor?
Hunger headaches are not as severe as other health issues, yet you need to observe the symptoms closely as they’re relatable to strokes. If you feel the situation is worsening, need more over-the-counter pain relievers, or encounter other health issues; you must consult your physician.
Bottom Line
Hunger headaches can be prevented and treated by self with the right and healthy diet you can take at regular and short intervals. Practicing light exercises may also help increase your dopamine and reduce stress with which you can easily knock out headaches. You can consult with your physician to take over-the-counter pain relievers but do not take them in excess as it may hamper body functions.
Hope this article is helpful for you. Encourage us to write more about health and medications. Till then, stay healthy & be wealthy!
References –
https://www.livestrong.com/article/375852-why-do-i-get-a-headache-when-im-hungry/
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22573-hunger-headache
