Can High Blood Sugar Cause Headaches?

A year after Virta member Kristen was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, she began to experience constant headaches. She tried different medications and adjusted her diet, but nothing seemed to help, except Virta. With dietary changes and health coaching, Kristen’s headaches went away. 

As Kristen discovered, headaches can be a symptom of diabetes. In fact, headaches are linked not just to high blood sugar, but to low blood sugar as well. Here’s what you need to know about blood sugar headaches, and what you can do to manage them. 

Does diabetes cause headaches? 

Absolutely. While headaches aren’t as common as dry mouth, headaches are associated with both high blood sugar and low blood sugar, which are problems that people with type 2 diabetes (and, less commonly, prediabetes) can both experience. 

Can high blood sugar cause headaches?

High blood sugar — also called hyperglycemia — occurs when your blood glucose is above 130 mg/DL fasting, or 180 mg/dL after eating. In some people, it can trigger headaches. Experts believe high blood sugar may trigger headaches because they can affect hormones in the body, particularly epinephrine and norepinephrine. These hormones may cause blood vessels in the brain to constrict, thus causing headaches. 

Your headache could be caused by high blood sugar if you also experience these other signs of hyperglycemia: 

• Intense hunger
• Slow-healing sores
• Blurry vision
• Fatigue
• Intense thirst
• Dehydration
• Frequent urination

Can low blood sugar cause headaches? 

Low blood sugar — also known as hypoglycemia — occurs when your blood glucose levels are below 70 mg/dL. Like high blood sugar, low blood sugar can lead to headaches because changes in epinephrine and norepinephrine can trigger blood vessel constriction in the brain, and a lack of glucose in the brain can cause neurological symptoms due to lack of energy, such as headaches.. 

Low blood sugar headaches often feel like faint throbbing in your temples. If your blood sugar dips too low, this can also trigger more intense migraine headaches. 

Your headache could be related to low blood sugar if it’s accompanied by these other common hypoglycemia symptoms: 

• Irritability
• Hunger
• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Shakiness
• Nausea
• Intense fatigue
• Anxiety
• Confusion
• Excessive sweating

How to get rid of a blood sugar headache

If you have a blood sugar-related headache, the best way to manage it is to get your blood sugar under control. You can lower your high blood sugar and maintain healthy blood sugar levels by:

• Reducing carbohydrates in your diet.
• Taking your medications as prescribed.
• Getting enough sleep.
• Managing your stress levels.
• Limiting alcohol use.
• Quitting smoking and the use of nicotine products.

Over-the-counter pain relievers, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can also help relieve headaches.

The takeaway

Repeat headaches can be a symptom of both high blood sugar and low blood sugar, which are problems experienced routinely by people with diabetes. So if you’re experiencing headaches and think your diabetes might be a factor, getting your blood sugar regulated should be a priority. 

If you are experiencing diabetes headaches, Virta may be able to help. By making healthy lifestyle changes in a medical setting with supportive resources like 1:1 virtual coaching, you can regain control of your health and feel like yourself again. See if you’re eligible for Virta Health here.