Powered By
Continue with Facebook
Continue with Email
For more than a hundred years, scientists have suspected a link between low blood sugar and migraine attacks. More recently, researchers have discovered that low blood sugar (also called hypoglycemia) can be a migraine attack trigger for some people or may mimic migraine symptoms in others. Hypoglycemia can also make migraine attacks worse while they’re happening.
Members of MyMigraineTeam have also noticed this connection. “I’m extremely sensitive to odors, lights, and sounds, but not food — unless it is no food — then I have a hypoglycemia migraine every time,” said one member.
Read on to discover the link between migraine and blood sugar, along with practical tips to help you stay well.
Learning how sugar works in the body is essential to understanding hypoglycemia. Sugar is the primary fuel source for the brain and body. When you eat, your body breaks down carbohydrates and proteins into glucose. Glucose is a simple form of sugar that stays in the bloodstream, where it provides quick energy.
Under normal circumstances, the body maintains blood glucose levels within a specific range. Any extra glucose gets packaged up and stored for later use. For people without diabetes , the normal range is 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) to 99 mg/dL after more than eight hours without food and less than 140 mg/dL one to two hours after eating. Hypoglycemia is typically less than 70 mg/dL.
If you haven’t eaten in a while, your body taps into its energy reserves to release glucose into the bloodstream. These reserves include glycogen molecules, which are long chains of stored glucose in the liver and muscles.
The body can also break down body fat for energy. Body fat is converted into ketones, which are an alternative source of fuel when glucose is in short supply. This process ramps up during prolonged fasting.
Since the body can get glucose from food (and from stored energy reserves when food is scarce), you may wonder how hypoglycemia is possible. The answer is that the body’s natural blood sugar control systems aren’t always perfect. This can be true even for people without chronic health conditions such as migraine.
Low blood sugar may happen for different reasons. Perhaps you haven’t eaten many carbohydrates or you’ve been exercising more than usual. Your body may struggle to break down glycogen fast enough to maintain normal sugar levels. If you’ve been feeling nauseous, vomiting, or eating less to lose weight, you may not be meeting your body’s demand for glucose. Some people also develop low blood sugar from drinking alcohol, especially on an empty stomach.
Hypoglycemia is more common in people with certain conditions, especially diabetes. People who use insulin or other medications to treat diabetes may end up with low blood sugar as a side effect of treatment.
“A week ago, I was diagnosed with diabetes,” explained a MyMigraineTeam member. “The medicine I’m taking to regulate my sugar is causing me to have low blood sugar episodes with horrible headaches.”
Another condition, known as reactive hypoglycemia, can also cause low blood sugar levels. In reactive hypoglycemia, the body has an overblown response to high-carbohydrate meals. Within two to four hours of eating, the body produces too much insulin, which doesn’t leave enough sugar in the bloodstream, causing hypoglycemia.
Hypoglycemia causes immediate symptoms, including:
Hypoglycemia may be reversed quickly by taking in some sugar, such as a few sips of fruit juice. But in severe cases, the person can’t treat it themselves. Hypoglycemia can spiral into a medical emergency, leading to seizures or a coma.
Hypoglycemia isn’t always a factor in migraine. Migraine is affected by different factors for different people. Some people with migraine don’t have anything specific that triggers or worsens their migraine attacks.
Nonetheless, studies suggest that chronic migraine is more common in people who are resistant to insulin. Insulin resistance is an early sign of diabetes that causes poor blood sugar control. Diabetes affects blood flow and the nervous system in ways that may increase the risk of migraine headaches. But large studies did not find a higher rate of migraine in people with diabetes. Researchers have, however, demonstrated that sudden blood sugar drops (from reactive hypoglycemia or insulin injections) can cause a migraine attack.
Researchers think certain genes may affect how the brain perceives pain in response to blood sugar changes. Fasting can lead to hypoglycemia and headaches. Between 39 percent and 66 percent of people with migraine experience attacks during fasting, especially if they do an extended fast. Several case studies have found that treating hypoglycemia by breaking a fast resolves migraine symptoms.
People with chronic migraine should keep track of their symptoms. A migraine diary allows you to write down the details of your migraine attacks, including when your symptoms first began and what factors may be affecting them.
If you’ve recently changed your diet or had any symptoms of hypoglycemia before or during a migraine episode, take note. Also be sure to record other details, such as unusual food cravings, changes in the weather, and your sleep habits. You can share this information with your doctor to look for possible connections.
If hypoglycemia happens regularly, it’s important to find the cause. Your healthcare provider may suggest changing your diet, adjusting your medications, or taking other steps to keep your blood sugar stable. They may also recommend monitoring your blood sugar at home with a glucometer.
Lifestyle changes can also help. While some people choose to fast for religious or health reasons, skipping meals isn’t safe for everyone. If you’re prone to low blood glucose levels, eating consistent meals at regular times throughout the day may be best for you.
Instead of sugary foods, choose balanced meals with fiber and protein. These foods digest more slowly, helping avoid drastic blood sugar fluctuations. Some ideas include yogurt with fruit or a turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread.
You may also need to be careful with physical activity. Some people shouldn’t exercise on an empty stomach. A small snack before working out can help prevent hypoglycemia.
If you experience low blood sugar from alcohol, you may want to cut back. Drinking alcohol with food can also help reduce the chance of hypoglycemia.
If you have symptoms of low blood sugar, seek medical attention. People with diabetes or a known history of blood sugar issues should develop a hypoglycemia action plan with their doctor. While you may be able to treat milder cases of hypoglycemia at home, you should still follow up with a healthcare professional to make sure you’re safe and help prevent it from happening again.
You should also let your healthcare team know if you suspect that blood sugar is playing a role in your migraine symptoms. They can work with you to determine the best course of action.
On MyMigraineTeam, people share their experiences with migraine, get advice, and find support from others who understand.
Do you think hypoglycemic episodes may trigger migraine attacks for you? Let others know in the comments below.
Are your headaches a symptom of migraine? Get a quick assessment.
Get updates directly to your inbox.
Continue with Facebook
Continue with Email
Become a member to get even more
Join
This is a member-feature!
Sign up for free to view article comments.
We'd love to hear from you! Please share your name and email to post and read comments.
You'll also get the latest articles directly to your inbox.