Fluctuating Blood Sugar Levels
When we eat food, our body gets to work on digesting and absorbing the meal. Assuming our digestive and endocrine systems are working properly, there is a normal, healthy rise in blood sugar followed by a gradual decline. Blood sugar is kept in a range that allows our body to have enough fuel to provide the brain and all organs of the body to perform vital functions.
For some people, the ability to regulate blood sugar is impaired. Blood sugar levels may climb too high in response to sugars and other high-carbohydrate foods. Their body may sense this elevated blood sugar and respond with a surge in a hormone called insulin to try to reduce the elevated blood sugar. The surge sometimes results in blood sugar getting too low. This can cause sugar headache for those who are prone to it.
The migraine brain is often described as being hyper responsive to normal, benign stimulation. A person who is not prone to headache or migraine attacks may be completely unaware of the ups and downs of their blood sugar whether they are normal fluctuations or not. Contrarily, the person predisposed to migraine may be triggered by the inconsistencies and abnormalities in blood sugar. In this theory about sugar and migraines, the body is sometimes unable to maintain blood sugar in the proper range. This causes the brain to respond with pain as a warning signal that something is wrong.
A leading experts opinion
3 steps to take to avoid sugar and migraine episodes
A Final Word On Cutting Back On Added Sugar In Your Diet
While its simply not realistic to avoid all added sugars in your diet, its a good idea to read labels focus on whole, unprocessed foods as much as possible and make healthier food choices. Companies are going to make their foods taste good thats part of their business but as individuals, were becoming more conscious of our health, so we can decide how much of that stuff we put in our body, Li says.
Foods That Cause Migraines
Migraine or side headache can also be caused by some food. Such foods contain preservatives and tyramine. Tyramine is an amino acid that can trigger side headaches.
Some causes of headache after eating are food consumption containing many additional ingredients such as MSG, nitrate, or alco**hol.
Foods with additional substances may cause increased blood flow to the brain. Side effects are migraines.
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What Is Sugar Withdrawal
A splitting sugar headache, fatigue, cramps and nausea are just a few of the debilitating symptoms that can occur when you decide to finally nix sugar from your diet. But why does this happen, and what causes it?
Years ago, sugar was just a small part of the diet, found mostly in natural sources like fruits and starches. In recent years, however, sugar intake has skyrocketed, with added sugars accounting for an estimated 14.1 percent of total energy intake according to a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Its found just about everywhere, from ultra-processed foods to granola bars, cereals, yogurts and even tomato sauces.
Here are some more alarming statistics on sugar intake in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- Americans should keep added sugar intake to less than 10 percent of calories.
- From 200510, men and women 20 and over consumed 13 percent of calories from added sugar.
- In 200508, average percent of daily calories from added sugar was 16 percent for boys and girls ages 219.
- Socioeconomic status is found to not affect added sugar intake by youths, however among adults, lower-income people consume more added sugar.
- Younger, less educated, less physically active adults who smoke and drink infrequently or lightly seem to consume the most added sugar among adults.
Foods Dont Taste Sweet Enough
If youve noticed that foods dont taste as sweet as they used to, or if you need to add sugar to foods to make them taste good , it could be that youre getting too much sugar to begin with.
If youre trying to make healthier choices, say by switching from flavored yogurt to plain yogurt, the difference will be more noticeable.
You train your brain to expect a very high level of sweetness, and when youre used to that, it can be harder to feel satisfied with foods that are less sweet because youre primed to expect the high sweet levels, Cording says.
If youre replacing sugar with artificial sweeteners in your diet, you may also want to give it a second thought. A lot of these sugar substitutes are so much sweeter than actual sugar so it tricks our brains into expecting this insanely high level of sweetness, Cording says. This can increase sugar cravings overall.
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How Is Hypoglycemia Diagnosed
A doctor who thinks a person might have hypoglycemia will ask about the patient’s medical history and diet, in particular about the timing of the symptoms, whether they tend to happen after eating high-sugar meals, and if the symptoms go away quickly with eating sugar.
The only way to tell for sure whether someone’s symptoms are related to hypoglycemia is to test the blood sugar while the person is having the symptoms. If the test shows that the blood sugar is truly low, the doctor may do other tests to diagnose specific diseases that can cause hypoglycemia.
Ways To Remove Sugar From Your Diet
To remove sugar from your diet is a great way to improve many health problems. Sugar has made its way into everyday items that you dont even associate with sugary food, and many Americans are overeating sugar. Most of us are consuming 2230 teaspoons that is about 88120 grams of sugar each day. It is substantially higher than the recommended limit, i.e., six teaspoons for females and nine teaspoons for males.
Once in a while, we all have turned to a decadent dessert, bought packaged processed food for convenience, or ate out to reward ourselves for a hard work day. Sugar cravings are common, and you probably have heard of the term sugar rush, which is what happens when we consume a large amount of sugar on an empty stomach. The sugar goes right to our brain.
Eating sugar fuels every cell in the brain which programs it as a reward-seeking behavior. To remove sugar from your diet is going to take intentional eating and planning.
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Ever Experience A Sugar Headache Simple Carbs Or Sweets Can Cause Blood Sugar To Spike And Then Crash Discover 4 Healthy Tips For Sugar And Migraines
Long ago, before sugar and carbs were such dietary demons, my Migraine pal Debbie and I discovered we both craved “white food” before and after the worst part of our attacks. You know, mashed potatoes, rice, rolls, pasta – any kind of bland carb.
It wasn’t just gentle on a nauseous stomach. We now know that it was the blood sugar fix our bodies were craving after a Migraine attack, during that strange feeling after the pain stops known as postdrome.
How Long Should You Detox From Sugar
This will depend on your personal goals. Just need a reset after too much indulgence? 5 days is fine.
However, if like mine, your relationship with sugar has become a habit or physical addiction, 30 days is a good start. Many people find that it takes about a month to break a habit, however, other research suggests it may take much longer. Furthermore, to break a habit, one must replace it with another behavior.
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Things That Might Be Causing Your Headaches
September 02, 20155 min read
Headaches and migraines affect an estimated 4.9 million Canadiansare you one of those nearly 5 million people? Do you find yourself suffering with headaches or migraines, but cant figure out why? Read on for 10 things that might be causing your headaches or migrainesnumber 3 might surprise you!
Headaches and migraines differ considerably from person to person in severity, frequency, and disability. Some experience severe pain infrequently while for others it is a frequent and painful reality. No matter which camp you fall into, temporary or chronic, severe or light pain, headaches and migraines are debilitating and limit your ability to enjoy your life to its fullest. No one should have to suffer like that!
Many people look to drugs to help cure their headaches, such as NSAIDS, aspirin, and even antidepressants or anticonvulsants in severe cases. However, these treatments simply mask the symptomsthey dont delve deeper to the root cause of the problem.
There are many dietary and lifestyle factors that can trigger headaches in people. Everyone is different, but by exploring these options, you might be able to find the root cause of your pain, and start thinking about living without headachesinstead of living with medication.
Katie Mitton
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If Your Headaches Are Unrelated To Your Diabetes
And of course, if your headaches persist to an unmanageable levelyou may be suffering from migraines which is really a different beast than your basic headache. Theres also a slew of other diagnosable health conditions unrelated to diabetes that can result in a headache.
Dont hesitate to contact your healthcare team if you think your headaches have become severe or are actually migraines.
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If You Do Have A Headache In Relation To Sugar What Suggestions Do You Have For Relief
If youre experiencing hypoglycemia or low blood sugar levels, and its not related to an illness like diabetes, symptoms can be treated by consuming 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates, or cabs easily converted sugar like gel, juice, soft drinks and sugary candy.
Dr. Patel was quoted as saying:Hypoglycemic attacks mostly occur in diabetics. If you think youre experiencing a hypoglycemic attack, you should go to the doctor immediately. Those with diabetes or hormone deficiencies should consult their physicians about long-term symptom relief plans, which generally include a structured diet.
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Symptoms Associated With A Headache Problem From Sugar
According to the Migraine Trust, low sugar can cause a migraine, and it may also be why some people with migraines want to eat sugar before or during a migraine attack. Migraine symptoms include severe, throbbing pain on one side of the head along with nausea and vomiting, according to Harvard Medical School.
Postprandial syndrome is another term used to describe low blood sugar after eating, according to University of Wisconsin Hospitals. Symptoms begin when hypoglycemia occurs after eating or when ingested within four hours after eating a meal rich in condensed sugar.
Besides headaches, other symptoms can include sweating, general weakness, nausea, mood swings, confusion and unsteadiness.
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Which Type Of Diabetes
Both hypo- and hyperglycemia can trigger headaches and migraines. They can be super painful, with a throbbing or pulsing sensation on in your head. You might also feel weak, nauseous, and sensitive to light or sound.
Diabetes-related headaches can cause other symptoms too, depending on whether your blood sugar is too low or too high.
- Low blood sugar headaches can leave you feeling faint, shaky, nauseous, or sweaty.
- High blood sugar headaches may be accompanied by feeling super thirsty or having to pee more than usual, fatigue, or blurred vision.
First up, when you notice that throbbing pain coming on, start by checking your levels. The American Diabetes Association recommends aiming for these targets:
- Between 80 and 130 mg/dL before meals
- Less than 180 mg/dL 2 hours after meals
If your blood sugar is below the target range, try having 15 to 20 grams of fast-acting carbs like glucose tablets or gel, juice, regular soda, or sugary candy.
If you dont start to feel any better within 15 minutes, have another 15 to 20 grams of fast-acting carbs. This can help bring your blood sugar back up and start to ease your headache. After, have a healthy meal or snack to keep your levels stable.
If your blood sugar is above the target range, you may need to adjust your insulin levels or take a supplement of short-acting insulin.
Say it with us: Extreme blood sugar swings can be life-threatening. No bueno.
How Can I Figure Out My Food Additive Triggers
Finding which foods or food additives trigger your headaches can be a nightmare. This is because there are so many potential triggers!
In fact
You may find that even certain foods help with headaches.
Luckily, there are a few simple things you can do that can help you find relief from painful symptoms.
- Keep a food diary. Write down or take pictures of everything you eat and drink. Also include a record of your headache or migraine symptoms and when they occur. This can help you see connections between what youre eating and your symptoms.
- Avoid highly processed foods. Avoiding processed foods can be a huge help this will allow you to get rid of the source of most food additives in your diet. Youll also be eating healthier, which will improve your health overall!
- See a headache or migraine specialist. If you cant figure out your triggers on your own, dont hesitate to find a specialist. The United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties, or UCNS, is an organization that certifies doctors to be Headache Specialists. There is also a CAQ Certification in Headache Medicine that is popular with Naturopaths. Look for either of these certifications when making an appointment with a headache specialist.
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Does Sugar Detox Help
Its important first to understand why removing sugar from our diet is a good thing. You dont have to be a sugar addict to want a break from sugar. The reason for going on a sugar detox is to purge your system of sugar. Most recognize it as a way to lose weight, but there are many side effects of too much sugar which can lead to long-term health problems such as diabetes.
First, discover the root cause of your sweet or carb cravings. Backtrack your daily routine and start cutting out one sweet food from your diet every week. For instance, put less to no sugar in your morning coffee, no bread with dinner and no dessert post-dinner. You will be surprised to see how your body responds to these changes almost immediately.
Whether you choose to go cold turkey or opt for incremental method to cut down on your sugar intake, these six nutritional and lifestyle tips can help you remove sugar from your diet:
Just How To Lower Blood Glucose Degrees With Diet
Lowering blood glucose degrees with dietary changes can be done by sticking to a low glycemic diet regimen. Reducing blood sugar level levels can be done by eating foods that dont make the body produce high quantities of glucose when absorbed. Decreasing blood sugar also requires physical adjustments, such as losing weight or increasing physical activity.
It is necessary to bear in mind that in order to lower blood sugar degrees, it must be carried out in conjunction with a doctors supervision. Decreasing blood sugar degrees must only be done when the body is healthy and balanced enough to handle such an endeavor, and also it can have unfavorable effects if done improperly.
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Why Does Sweetness Cause Such Pain
Shakespeare probably pondered this as he was writing Romeo and Juliet. And just as he was perplexed by the joyous agony of true love, we wanna know why sugar is such a wiley b*tch sometimes.
First of all, when we say sugar as in, Good god, this sugar headache makes me regret my choice to eat a sleeve of Oreos in one sitting were talking about added sugar. Added sugar is just what it sounds like, its sugar thats added to foods.
Why does this matter? Well, many foods have naturally occurring sugars, like fruits and dairy. When you eat a piece of fruit or some plain Greek yogurt, youre getting some sugar, but the fiber or protein in the food helps balance the effects of the glucose.
When you eat something with lots of added sugar , the lack of fiber, protein, or other good stuff with nutritional value means the sugar hits your bloodstream, causes a spike in glucose, also known as blood sugar, and off you go to headache town.
Radical dips and spikes in blood sugar are the main cause of sugar headaches. Your body actually runs, not on Dunkin, but on sugar .
We need a steady supply of glucose for energy and our brains in particular need glucose to make sure the body can function. When theres a sudden change in glucose levels, our brains are the first to feel the effects.
Sugarheadache And Hunger Headache
Reactive hypoglycemia is not the only sugar-related cause of headaches. Another type of low-sugar headache is what’s sometimes called a hunger headache, according to the National Headache Foundation. Your blood sugar can fall if you go too long between meals, exercise without eating or put yourself on too strict of a diet. Sleeping too late in the morning can also make you go too long between meals.
The type of carbs you eat is also important, the foundation notes. Simple carbs are foods or drinks with added sugar, as well as foods like baked goods and white bread or pasta. These foods are loaded with carbs that are easy and quick to absorb. That can lead to a rush of glucose, followed by a surge in insulin and a headache.
Complex carbs are fruits, vegetables and whole grains. These more natural foods are digested more slowly and may help you avoid the high glucose surge and headaches.
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