Headache disorders are not uncommon, with WHO estimating that over three billion people worldwide have such issues. Sometimes, the trigger can be more obvious, such as getting a headache after eating, which can be a very frustrating mystery. Do you suffer from such an ailment, and would you like to know why it might happen to you?
Below, we offer an explanation that delves into:
- Common causes of such a headache
- Effective relief strategy
- Why getting insights from neurological experts can help
- Food types you might want to avoid
So, keep reading to get expert advice and understand the steps you must take to prevent future occurrences.
Understanding Why You Get a Headache After Eating
There are several reasons why a person might feel discomfort in the minutes and hours after eating, whether it is a small snack or a larger meal. For example:
The gut-brain connection is a neurological connection between the body’s digestive system and the brain via the vagus nerve. Along with many other effects, discomfort in the stomach can cause similar feelings in the brain’s nervous system.
A drop or spike in blood sugar after eating can also lead to headaches as the body tries to handle a sudden nutrient shift. Pay attention to the types of foods that cause this, especially sugary or high-carb foods, to see if they are more likely to affect you.
Having specific food sensitivities such as lactose or gluten intolerances can sometimes trigger headaches due to the body needing to handle internal difficulties.
If you suffer from allergies, headache triggers in food, such as ingredients high in histamines, can cause reactions in the body.
Dehydration or overeating can also cause discomfort due to differing sodium levels in the body. Such a change can impact blood pressure or the speed of blood flow through the body, triggering symptoms.
What you eat can also affect other chemical balances in the body, such as:
- Serotonin production
- Uncomfortable gas that triggers a sympathetic brain response
- Microbiome imbalances
- Gut inflammation
- Other forms of digestive discomfort
- Overuse of caffeine or alcohol
While the list is not endless, this plethora of concerns encompassing the diet and headache connection can make diagnosing the issue more challenging. As such, it is often helpful to connect with a specialist.
Potential Solutions for Post-Meal Headache Relief
The best step is to talk to a professional for a more exact diagnosis. In the meantime, you may want to consider options available to relieve some of this discomfort.
The first step would be to eliminate specific items from your diet individually to work out what is causing you these difficulties. However, be aware that it may not be a single type of food or even a single food group. As such, you may find that this does not give you the necessary answers.
Whatever you do, try to stay hydrated. So, before, during, and after meals, you should ensure that you take in water.
The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine investigated this two decades ago. They determined that the recommended daily amount is around 3 liters, depending on various factors. Try also to drink more if you begin to feel thirsty, as this is your body telling you it needs more water.
Other options to help resolve such an issue include:
- Being more careful about balancing foods during meals
- Eating smaller portions to avoid overworking your digestive system
- Eating anti-inflammatory foods
- Avoiding sugary snacks
The number of ways you can change your diet may make this issue seem almost insurmountable. However, do not give up. Relief may be just around the corner.
Seeking Professional Help
When you feel like you cannot resolve this condition yourself, or if it will take too much out of your life to do it, you should contact Neurocare of Nevada. They can step in when:
- The eating-induced headaches persist long after meals
- You cannot relieve the discomfort with dietary adjustments
- You develop further neurological symptoms such as numbness
- Other changes occur that alter or escalate the nature of the discomfort
As mentioned above, seeking help before you reach this point is a good idea. Early intervention can help to prevent the signs of a headache from worsening or even reduce the frequency of events.
How Neurology Doctors Identify an Eating-Induced Headache
While not always easy to diagnose, doctors have training in investigating many areas of a patient’s past and present to determine the cause of such discomfort.
Many will start by looking into the patient’s medical history. They will ask questions to learn more about the:
- Patterns and frequency of the headaches
- Patient’s diet and lifestyle
- Stress factors that may be involved
- Past medical conditions
If the doctor suspects something in the diet is causing the issue, they will offer professional advice on changing the patient’s eating habits. These will relate not only to what the patient eats but also when and how much, as well as offer specific advice and insight should the patient try eliminating specific foods from their meals.
Doctors can also run specific allergy and intolerance tests to determine whether some foods might harm the patient. They can also run neurological or imaging tests to find physical signs of other causes.
Treatments and Therapies
Once the doctor discovers what might be wrong, they will likely offer therapy options for the specific condition. These may include:
- Dietary modifications along with headache-free alternatives
- Medication plans to reduce the physiological signs of headaches
- Using CBT to try to control patients’ physical responses
The doctor is also likely to request a follow-up so that they can continue to monitor the patient long-term and confirm their ongoing health.
Seeking Out a Headache-Free Future Starting Today
Getting a headache after eating can sometimes feel as though it is ruining your life. Eating should be a pleasurable experience for many, so ensuring you get the right help is critical for your mental health.
If you’ve already tried making adjustments but are still struggling, NeuroCare of Nevada can help. We have effective diagnostic techniques, targeted solutions, and decades of expertise ready to bring to bear. So, contact us today and learn what your next step towards relief should be.