What is the relationship between headaches and diabetes? Diabetes and headaches are often seen together, and there are several reasons for this. Diabetes often leads to nerve damage (neuropathy). Sometimes it can affect the cranial nerves, or the nerves that run through the head, which often result in severe headaches.
Yet another reason for diabetes and headaches is glaucoma and other eye problems which may also be caused by diabetes. Glaucoma is an eye disease in which there is excess fluid built up inside the eye. This raises pressure in the eye and pressure on the optic nerve. This pressure, put on the optic nerve, is sometimes the cause of headaches with diabetes.
Headaches and diabetes problems have also been known to be caused by high blood pressure, which is often seen in diabetes patients. Headaches are a common symptom of hypertension (high blood pressure), and occur whether the person has diabetes or not. Still, this is a common reason for having headaches in diabetes (Livestrong.com, 2011).
Does Diabetes Cause Headaches?
Can diabetes cause headaches? The answer is yes. Diabetes headaches are usually caused when blood sugar is too high. These headaches from diabetes can be a symptom of the disease. Other symptoms include: increased thirst, increased hunger, dry mouth, frequent urination, fatigue, blurred vision, and unexplained weight loss.
Diabetes headaches may also occur when blood sugar gets too low. Usually this happens as a result of too much insulin being given to the patient. In this case, the headache will usually disappear after the diabetic ingests sugary foods.
Sometimes over the counter headache medication doesn’t do the trick. Your doctor is not likely to give you prescription medications for a headache unless it is frequently reoccurring and severe. So, what can you do?
Prevention is always best. Limit the consumption of any foods that contain large amounts of refined sugar, limit caffeine intake, and don’t skip any meals. Don’t just assume that the headache is caused by your diabetes. Keep your mind open to other potential reasons. Try to make connections between your actions and when your headaches begin. This way you can understand their true cause and therefore take the right preventative actions.
Sometimes nutrients and supplements will help cut down on headaches and diabetes problems. A Mediterranean diet is a good diabetes diet because of the nutritional balance of its portions, and a good diet if you are prone to headaches because it provides plenty of protein. Supplements such as Cataplex GTF and Drenamin are helpful because Vitamin B deficiency is sometimes found to be an underlying cause in cases of headaches and diabetes (Altmedangel.com, 2011).
Related articles: Diabetes and Muscle Pain | Diabetes and Double Vision | Diabetes Rash | Diabetes Numbness in Fingers | Diabetic Leg Pain | Diabetes and Constipation | First Signs of Diabetes in Women | Diabetes Shock | Insulin Resistance and PCOS | Diabetes and Vertigo | Early Signs of Diabetes in Men |
