Table of contents:
- Causes of headaches during fasting
- 1. Dehydration
- 2. Hypoglycemia
- 3. "Sakau" caffeine
- 4. Changes in sleep patterns
- How to get rid of headaches during fasting
- 1. Massage lightly
- 2. Cold compress
- 3. Avoid too bright light
Many people who fast during Ramadan claim to experience severe headaches when fasting throughout the day. Actually, what causes headaches during fasting? How do you get rid of headaches so that fasting remains smooth? Check out the full explanation below.
Causes of headaches during fasting
In each person, the causes of headaches during fasting can vary. This depends on your physical condition as well as how severe the headache is. Here are four possibilities.
1. Dehydration
If you don't drink enough water when you break your fast until dawn, you are at risk of becoming dehydrated. Dehydration or lack of fluids causes brain volume to shrink and doesn't get enough oxygen. As a result, the lining of the brain sends pain signals to all parts of the brain.
Symptoms of dehydration other than headaches include weakness, muscle cramps, difficulty concentrating, dark or dark urine, and very dry skin that makes it flaky or peeling.
2. Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia is a health condition in which the blood glucose (sugar) levels in your body drop dramatically. The headaches you feel while fasting can also be caused by this condition.
Glucose is needed by the brain as a source of energy to function as usual. So, when you don't eat or drink anything for hours on end, the glucose-deficient body can't pump blood to the brain.
This causes headaches, dizziness, nausea, and a dazed mind. If not treated immediately, people with hypoglycemia may lose consciousness (faint).
3. "Sakau" caffeine
Are you a daily caffeine addict? If you can't pass a day without a few cups of coffee, your fasting headache may be due to caffeine withdrawal symptoms. During fasting you certainly can't drink as much coffee as usual or you don't even drink coffee at all. You also run the risk of experiencing caffeine withdrawal symptoms.
Symptoms include headache, weakness, nausea, anxiety, restlessness, difficulty concentrating. Caffeine withdrawal symptoms can last anywhere from a full day to two months. It depends on how often you used to drink caffeinated drinks.
4. Changes in sleep patterns
In the month of Ramadan, you may experience changes in your sleep patterns because you have to get up early for sahur. As a result, you may be sleep deprived or your biological clock changes. This is at risk of causing headaches.
The reason is, research from Missouri State University proves that lack of sleep will increase the production of certain types of protein in the brain. This protein triggers a nervous reaction that causes headaches.
How to get rid of headaches during fasting
Headaches during fasting are certainly very annoying. However, don't worry. Here are tips for safe headache relief while fasting.
1. Massage lightly
Lightly massaging your face and head can help relieve pain. Start by making circular motions with your fingers, from both of your cheekbones. Then slowly slide your fingers up and up, to the outside of your eyes. Continue until your fingers meet in the middle of the forehead.
2. Cold compress
Headaches during fasting can certainly interfere with the smooth running of your worship. One of the ways that you can do your cold compress your head.
Prepare an ice cube and wrap it in a soft cloth. Place the cold compress on the affected part of the head. According to a neurologist from the Michigan Headache Clinic, dr. Edmund Messina, cold compresses can help relieve inflammation of nerves or blood vessels in the brain.
3. Avoid too bright light
Light from a computer or a window that is too glare can make your eyes tired, which can lead to even more headaches. So, first avoid too bright light. You can close the blinds or lower the lighting settings on the computer screen or smartphone You.
