Many people may get a headache during fasting in Ramadan, due to a lack of blood sugar as a result of not eating or due to dehydration and other reasons. The pain is usually mild to moderate in intensity, and it occurs in the front of the head (forehead). Fasting and ways to prevent it.
The causes of headaches during Ramadan fasting are different and varied, and fasting can lead to migraine in people who suffer from migraine, in other words, fasting can be a trigger for migraine.
In an article published in Current Pain and Headache Reports, researchers note that people who frequently get headaches are more likely to develop a fasting headache when not eating than people who don’t usually get headaches.
If you already have an underlying headache disorder, you may be more susceptible to the headache effects of fasting.
Causes of headache while fasting
lack of blood sugar: Experts believe that one trigger of headaches is hypoglycemia, and some experts suggest that for some genetically predisposed people, small changes in blood glucose may alter pain receptors in the brain, leading to a fasting headache.
Some scientists denied that hypoglycemia was the cause of headaches during fasting, citing the reason that in healthy people, levels of glycogen (the stored form of glucose) in the liver are sufficient to maintain normal glucose levels for 24 hours. Fasting headaches may occur in the presence of normal glucose levels. Nor does insulin-induced hypoglycemia cause headache in migraine patients.
Caffeine withdrawal: Researchers have also linked caffeine withdrawal to fasting headaches. Caffeine withdrawal headaches generally occur approximately 18 hours after the last caffeine intake. Caffeine withdrawal headaches have similar characteristics to tension headaches as fasting headaches.
dehydration or stress: Other possible causes of fasting headaches include dehydration and stress.
The bottom line here is that the exact cause of a headache is still unknown, and there may be a number of factors involved that can differ from person to person.
Getting rid of headaches while fasting
Consider reducing caffeine consumption after breaking the fast in Ramadan and the day before fasting.
Be sure to drink water in sufficient quantities after breaking the fast in Ramadan, in order to help your body compensate for the amount of water that was lost during fasting.
You can talk to your doctor about starting a headache preventive medication on the first day of your fast, such as a long-acting NSAID. However, remember not to take any medications, including over-the-counter medications, without consulting your doctor first.
Read more: 7 habits to avoid in Ramadan
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