Table of contents:
- Causes of headaches after eating
- 1. Low blood sugar
- 2. Migraine
- 3. Hypertension
- 4. Allergic reactions
Eating can indeed make you feel sleepy and weak afterwards. In addition, you may experience headaches. Yes, many people complain of headaches after eating. The headache that appears is usually quite sharp, as if you have been pricking your head. It turns out that there are several reasons for this. Starting from your own health condition to the food you eat. So, pay attention if you have the following conditions.
Causes of headaches after eating
1. Low blood sugar
Be careful if you have headaches after eating. You may have reactive hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is a condition in which the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood drops drastically or suddenly. Glucose in the blood is obtained from foods that are rich in carbohydrates. The carbohydrates are then absorbed by the body. With the help of insulin, carbohydrates that have become glucose will be converted into energy sources. Insulin is produced by the pancreas.
If the pancreas produces too much insulin in the body, your blood sugar levels will suddenly drop dramatically. This is because insulin directly depletes your blood glucose supply. As a result, you will feel a headache after eating.
To prevent hypoglycemia after meals, avoid foods that are too high in sugar or carbohydrates. These substances can encourage the pancreas to produce more insulin. If you really want to eat foods that are rich in carbohydrates, limit the portions.
2. Migraine
Pay attention to the types of headaches that appear after you eat. If the pain appears on one side of your head and feels sharp throbbing, you may be experiencing a migraine. Migraines can be triggered by certain types of food and drink. The most common migraine trigger is tyramine, which is a substance found in yogurt, cheese and sour cream. In addition, foods such as chicken liver, soy sauce, preserved meat, and oranges can also cause your migraine to flare up.
Apart from headaches, you may experience other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, and a feeling of fainting. The best way to prevent migraines is to avoid trigger foods.
3. Hypertension
Headaches after eating can be a symptom of high blood pressure (hypertension). Pay attention to your diet. If the foods you eat have very high levels of sodium, your blood pressure may increase. Sodium, which is usually obtained from salt, is regulated by the kidneys. If the sodium is too high in your body, the body will flow more water into the blood. As a result, blood volume increases so that blood pressure also jumps up. This can cause headaches after eating.
If you do have hypertension, you should limit the amount of sodium or salt you consume daily. In addition, consult directly with your doctor to treat this condition.
4. Allergic reactions
Headaches after eating can be an allergic reaction to certain foods or substances. An allergic reaction causes the body to produce histamine, which is a compound that is important for maintaining the body's immune system. Histamine will overreact and cause itchy skin, nausea, sneezing, or headaches.
Again, watch what you eat. You may be allergic to seafood, eggs, milk and processed products, as well as additives such as micin (MSG), saccharin, and artificial preservatives. Avoid your allergens to prevent post-meal headaches.
