Postprandial headaches are headaches that occur after eating a meal. While this type of headache is fairly common, there are myriad potential causes. For individuals who suffer from postprandial headaches, it’s recommended they keep a food diary and track food intake and when headaches occur to help isolate potential triggers. Some of the most common reasons a postprandial headache may occur include:
- Blood Sugar Imbalances: A drop in blood sugar levels after eating (hypoglycemia), particularly if the meal was high in simple carbohydrates, can lead to headaches. Conversely, a spike in blood sugar followed by a rapid decline (hyperglycemia) can also trigger headaches. Eating small, more frequent meals and a balanced diet may help maintain more consistent blood sugar levels post meal.
- Food Sensitivities/Allergies: Foods high in histamine (aged cheeses, fermented foods, and certain alcohols), tyramine (aged cheeses, cured meats, and fermented products), and gluten (bread, pasta, baked goods, cereal, and beer) can cause headaches in sensitive individuals and may need to be avoided.
- Dehydration: Not drinking enough water with meals, particularly meals high in salt, can cause dehydration and result in headaches.
- Food Additives: Flavor enhancers and artificial sweeteners like monosodium glutamate (MSG), aspartame, and sucralose may trigger headaches in susceptible individuals. Be sure to check labels, especially if consuming highly processed food products.
- Caffeine Withdrawal: If you regularly consume caffeine and then have a meal without your usual caffeine intake, you may experience a withdrawal headache.
- Digestive Issues: Acid reflux (gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD) can cause headaches due to the strain and discomfort it places on the body. Talk to your healthcare provider about lifestyle strategies/treatments to combat acid reflux.
- Hypertension: Eating foods high in salt or those that cause a spike in blood pressure can lead to headaches. Try salt alternatives or other spices instead.
- Mental Health Disorders: The act of eating or the types of food consumed can sometimes trigger stress or anxiety-related headaches. This may include individuals with a history of eating disorder and/or post-traumatic stress disorder.
If postprandial headaches persist, especially if they interfere with your daily activities, talk to your healthcare provider. Potentially, these headaches may be co-occurring with other types of headache, and they’d need to be addressed concurrently to achieve a satisfactory outcome for the patient. This may include examining the cervical spine and associated tissues to identify musculoskeletal issues that can contribute to headaches, something your doctor of chiropractic is trained to look for and manage.
