Diabetes Headache, Including the Reasons for Headaches in Diabetes
Healthful Vitality | 10/5/2021 | By NP Contributor | Diabetes Headache
Diabetes is a complex disorder that affects the metabolism of all nutrients, and not just carbs. The blood sugar level is just one of the reliable ways of measuring its severity. Thus, diabetes causes many acute and chronic health issues.
Diabetes causes widespread vascular damage and also has ill-effect on nerve health. All this means that those living with diabetes are prone to various painful conditions, like headaches.
Headaches in diabetes cannot be explained based on a single cause. There could be numerous reasons for frequent headaches:
Reasons for Frequent Headaches in diabetes or Diabetes Headache
Hyperglycemia:
Hyperglycemia means high blood glucose levels, usually due to poorly controlled diabetes. Only about one-fourth of those diagnosed with diabetes are managing it effectively.
High blood sugar levels cause electrolyte disbalance, blurry vision, increased thirst, and increased urge to urinate. These widespread electrolyte imbalances may also cause headaches.
Thus, the glucose level is the first thing to check when headaches occur. Unchecked hyperglycemia may even cause severe complications like DKA leading to coma.
Hypoglycemia:
Hypoglycemia means low blood sugar level. It is a result of taking certain medications at higher dosages. Besides, it is also one of the life-threatening complications of insulin therapy. It starts with dizziness, shakiness, excessive sweating, and fatigue. It may also cause nausea and severe headaches in some.
High blood pressure:
Studies show that almost two-thirds of those living with diabetes have blood pressure. [1] Diabetes makes blood vessels stiff; it also alters the functioning of the autonomic nervous system and has a damaging effect on kidneys. All this means more frequent upsurges in blood pressure. Blood pressure is more challenging to control in diabetes. A headache could be one of the signs of elevated blood pressure.
Vasculopathies:
Vasculopathies is one of the chronic complications of diabetes. Almost everyone living with diabetes has poor vascular health. High sugar levels damage the internal layer of blood vessels (endothelium), causing blood vessels to become stiff. It also increases the risk of blood vessels getting blocked.
Diabetes considerably increases the risk of disease of small and large blood vessels. Thus, it increases the risk of retinopathy, amputations, heart disease, stroke, and much more. It also means a greater chance of various headaches.
Neuropathies:
Glove and socks syndrome, a tingling sensation in hands and feet, is common in diabetes. However, diabetic neuropathy has a much broader impact, as it also causes autonomic neuropathy. The autonomic nervous system regulates most body functions. Changes in the autonomic nervous system are often to blame for certain headaches, body pains, etc.
Interestingly enough, nerve damage caused by diabetes may also reduce the risk of certain headaches. For example, studies show that people living with diabetes have a lower risk of migraine headaches. Although researchers cannot explain this phenomenon, it is undoubtedly due to diabetes-related changes in blood vessels and the nervous system.
For those living with diabetes, it is essential to keep a check on blood sugar levels. Additionally, keeping oneself hydrated may also help prevent headaches.
Some people may have headaches due to diabetes-related mood disorders like anxiety, depression. Diabetes also increases the risk of sleep disorders, causing headaches.
If measures like intensive blood sugar control, exercise, adequate sleep, do not help, it is better to consult a medical specialist.
(Also Read: Latest Research on Diabetes Type 2 Cure)
Reference
- Diabetes and hypertension: the bad companions. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0140673612609878