Hunger triggers headaches among millions of people. In this headache episode, you would experience pains when you stay too long without food, or your meals haven’t enough calories to provide your body with energy. In this article we will talk about what does a hunger headache feels like and why you need to be careful about it.
What is a Headache Hunger?
A hunger headache is a feeling of a dull, throbbing pain, mainly in the frontal sections of the head experienced when not having eaten for an extended time. This type of headache is linked with hypoglycemia, a condition in which the body and brain are deficient in essential nutrients like glucose. Hypoglycemia is also known as low blood glucose levels.
Glucose is of significant importance to brain functioning, and its shortage can cause different responses, headache being one of them. Physiological changes are the mechanism behind migraine headaches. With falling glucose levels, the body works to restore the needed balance: to maintain stability, the body releases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.
These hormones are responsible not only for increased glucose production by liver depots but also for muscle tension and vessel constriction, both of which can trigger headache episodes. Histamine release may cause further muscle contraction in the neck and back of the head, leading to the sudden onset of a headache.
If headaches from not eating are experienced regularly, it is wise to visit a specialist to exclude any other, possibly more serious, triggers.
How Does Hunger Cause Headaches?
When your body does not get food, it responds with a sugar headache at the front of your head because it needs more calories. It occurs on both sides of the head. It is often due to the following:
1. Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)
Since some glucose is required for your brain to have enough energy, insufficient glucose from food causes hypoglycemia.
2. Muscle Tension
The hormone histamine is secreted as the hunger sets and the tightening of muscles commences; this can, in addition, result in a headache.
3. Stress Hormones
The diminution of blood sugar can also induce the release of hormones related to stress. It is also a factor in causing the pain of headaches.
Furthermore, low blood sugar causes the release of stress hormones, which can cause mental health issues like anxiety.
Knowing where the hunger headache is located, which is at the front of the head, you can get ready to do something about it. A few Additional symptoms include:
- Dehydration
- Intermittent fasting
- Caffeine intake changes
- Irregular meal times
Additionally, sleeping for many hours can trigger headaches after nap and emotional stress can lead to a headache from crying.
Symptoms of Hunger Headache
Hunger headache symptoms are associated with the report of pain that starts at the front of the head and sometimes progresses. The symptoms include:
- Mild nausea
- Muscle stiffness
You may also experience the following signs when you have low blood sugar levels. These include:
- Abdominal pain
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Sweating
How to Alleviate Hunger Headache?
When your body starts urging you with a hunger headache, it sends a message that the calorie level in your body needs to be increased. Ignoring it won’t make it go away.
But what to eat for a hunger headache? The best way to get rid of it is by following a healthy and balanced diet. The diet should include:
- Protein
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Carbohydrates
Migraines triggered due to dehydration or electrolyte imbalances can often be relieved either by drinking electrolyte water or by exposing to green light to reduce its frequency and intensity. However, for the abdominal pain arise during the hunger headache can be eased by drinking antioxidant teas which are also effective in headaches.
Read Also: Best Tea for Headaches
Conclusion
The emergence of hunger headaches demonstrates the subtle relationship between your physiology, such as balancing hunger and nourishment in the body.
This emphasizes the need for a total approach to wellness that includes both proper nutrition and mental health. As all-important factors in treating and preventing hunger headaches. Following this advice will make sure your hunger headache goes away. Make sure to take proper nutrients as an unhealthy diet can also cause headaches even after eating.
About the Author: Rizwan Munir
