Hunger headache

Overview

When you skip meals or go a long time without eating, your blood sugar can drop. The brain needs a steady supply of sugar, and a drop can bring on a headache.

Hunger headaches often feel like a tension headache. In people who get migraines, being hungry can trigger a migraine attack.

Symptoms

Symptoms start when you've skipped meals or are hungry.

• Headache, often dull pressure on the forehead or sides of the head
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Tight neck and shoulders

Less common

• Shakiness or sweating
• Stomach pain
• Feeling cold
• Irritability or trouble focusing

How it usually goes

• Hours without food: Headache and other symptoms start.
• 15 to 30 minutes after eating: Symptoms usually start to ease.

Look up a symptom: Dizziness · Headache · Skipped meals or hungry

When to get medical care

Causes

Low blood sugar from skipping meals or fasting is the main cause. Dehydration, stress, poor sleep, and caffeine withdrawal can add to it.

Does it spread or run in families?

• It isn't contagious. You can't catch it from someone else.

Who is more likely to get it

• Skipping meals, especially breakfast
• Fasting
• Diabetes, especially with insulin or some diabetes pills
• Frequent headaches or migraine

Possible complications

• Low blood sugar: Can become serious in people with diabetes

Diagnosis

Usually no test is needed if the headache clearly comes with hunger and goes away after eating.

Questions you may be asked

• When you last ate
• Whether eating helps
• Other symptoms like shakiness or sweating
• Diabetes or medicines that lower blood sugar

The exam

If headaches are frequent or don't go away after eating, a healthcare professional may check your blood sugar.

Treatment

Eating and drinking water usually relieves a hunger headache.

Self-care

• Eat something now, then follow up with a balanced meal
• Drink water
• If you feel shaky or have low blood sugar, have a fast sugar like fruit juice first
• Give it 15 to 30 minutes to start working

Medicines

Food is the main treatment. Pain relievers can help if the headache lingers.

If headaches keep happening even when you eat regularly, or you have diabetes, talk with a healthcare professional.

How it compares

Prevention

Hunger headaches are easy to prevent:

• Don't skip meals
• Eat smaller meals or snacks if you're busy
• Keep snacks with you
• Drink water through the day

Which doctor treats this

• Start with your primary care provider (family doctor or internist).
• They may send you to a neurologist (brain and nerve doctor).

Back to school, work, or sports

• Most people keep up normal school and work. Rest when you need to.

Children, pregnancy, and older adults

• People who get migraines: Being hungry can trigger a migraine attack. Regular meals can help.
• People with diabetes: Treat low blood sugar right away and follow your care plan.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

• If you're pregnant or planning to be, tell your prenatal provider about this condition.
• Don't start or stop any medicine on your own. Some are safe in pregnancy and some need to be changed.
• Ask before taking any pain reliever. The FDA advises avoiding ibuprofen and naproxen after 20 weeks unless your doctor says to.
• Breastfeeding: Most medicines are fine, but ask. The NIH LactMed database lists what's known about each one.

Outlook

Hunger headaches usually go away soon after eating and can be prevented with regular meals.

Getting ready for your visit

A food and headache diary helps.

What to bring

• When you eat and when headaches start
• Other symptoms like shakiness
• Diabetes medicines, if any

Questions to ask

• Could my blood sugar be dropping?
• Should I get tested?
• How often should I eat?

Research studies

Research studies test new ways to find and treat health problems. Some are looking for volunteers. Talk with your doctor before joining one.

Search ClinicalTrials.gov for studies on Hunger headache