Sugar for headaches?

Question

My stepdaughter is convinced she can cure a headache with candy or bubblegum. My understanding is that sugar will provide a quick, short fix, but drinking water or watching what you eat is a better way to prevent headaches.

Will sugar provide a realistic cure for a headache? Links giving scientific facts for answers would be incredibly helpful. Thanks!

Thanks for all the great input. I should have also mentioned that she is eight years old, and is overweight. Her mother often overfeeds her, and feeds her mostly junk food. This whole Candy for Headaches "cure" came from Mom's during her weekend visit.

My SD lives with us the majority of the time, and we practice major portion control and healthy eating at our house. My eyebrows were raised as soon as I heard this "cure".

Thanks again!

Answer 1

Your step daughter is right! Often headaches are caused by a drop in blood glucose (hypoglycemia) to which sugar will help.
You may need to watch her as hypoglycemia occurs often in patients that are PRE-diabetic. Meaning she may later become a diabetic.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

I am an ICU nurse. Sugar may possibly help a headache vanish. If you notice that your headache is relieved by eating sugar, have your blood sugar tested (HA1C) at your doctors office. An early symptom of hypoglycemia is a headache. So, bringing your blood sugar back to the normal range would relieve the headache. Another interesting point is that glucose is the primary fuel source of the brain. Brain function will decline and headaches are common if the body is forced into a low carb diet thus changing the ATP kreb cycle.

People who have strong reactions to MSG are very sensitive to glutamate. The body uses glutamate as as a neuro-transmitter. But if it is not deactivated when it is supposed too (MSG folks), It can cause multiple problems including severe headaches. Blood sugars are the primary glutamate removal method from inter-synaptic spaces. This condition is called excitotoxicity.

You asked 8 years ago... But maybe this will help someone today... If they can read through all the wrong answers.

Answer 4

Sugar actually gives me a headache.

Answer 5

I agree w/ you about a better diet will help w/ headaches BUT a Coke (not diet) will give you a caffeine and sugar surge if you are desperate for a headache/migraine to go away.

I have seen Specialist when I was a teenager and they never told me to eat candy!!

Answer 6

I've heard that sugar can help cure a headache, but if you're looking for a surefire way to get rid of one, take something with caffeine in it. Chocolate, soda, etc. The reason caffeine works is that a headache is an excess of bloodflow to the brain. Caffeine is a vasal constrictor, and this kcauses the bloodflow to decrease. It has always worked for me, and I don't believe in taking medicine, so I know that it works.

Answer 7

I would be concerned that your daughter may be indicating to you that she becomes HYPOGLYCEMIC...or, low on blood sugar. Diabetics or persons in a low blood sugar state may complain of weakness, headaches, dizziness, nausea...may even become unconscious...seizure activity is also possible. Hey, maybe she just likes candy (isn't that odd?), but I would have the MD check her, especially if there is a family history of Diabetes. Good Luck!

Answer 8

sugar will be a quick fix, but it works. sugar will make your head feel better faster, so you'll take your mind off of it. once your mind is off of the headache than it probably wont come back.

Answer 9

the only way sugar would help is if they are diabetic, other then that too much sugar can cause headaches to occur more.

Answer 10

Tell her to eat her bread crusts and lay off the chocolates. Chocolate starts up the headaches, bread crusts prevent it.

Also, for a faster relief, I would recommend Chinese Shiatsu. There are techniques to massage certain coordinates on your head to relieve pressure points. It redirects blood flow to ease your pain. (Headaches are swollen veins in your head)