Diabetes describes a group of related diseases that involve high levels of sugar, also called glucose, in the blood. Diabetes has many causes relating to the body's inability to properly produce or use insulin. Blood sugar levels affect all part of the body, and several other health complications often result from diabetes, many of which can cause headaches. People with diabetes are more likely to suffer from headaches than the general population, according to a study published in the November-December 1997 issue of the journal "Functional Neurology."
High Blood Sugar
High blood sugar, also called hyperglycemia, is a major characteristic of diabetes. High levels of blood sugar can cause headaches, reports the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, may also occur in diabetes patients who have difficultly managing insulin levels in the blood. Hypoglycemia can also cause headaches.
Neuropathy
Diabetes often leads to a condition called neuropathy, or pain due to nerve damage. The cranial nerves, which run through the head, can develop neuropathy as a consequence of diabetes. Damage to these cranial nerves can result in severe headaches, reports a study published in the "Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine."
Glaucoma
Diabetes can cause several eye problems, including glaucoma, an eye disease characterized by excess fluid inside the eye, explains the American Diabetes Association. The excess fluid raises the pressure inside the eye, which can put pressure on the optic nerve and permanently damage it. Pressure or damage involving the optic can cause headaches, the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center explains.
High Blood Pressure
The risk of high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is increased in patients with diabetes. One common symptom of hypertension is headaches, reports MedlinePlus. Diabetes also increases the risk of heart disease, another condition that can cause headaches. In addition, diabetes increases the risk of stroke, a cause of severe headaches.
References
- "Functional Neurology"; Headaches in Non Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus; W. Split and M Szydlowska; November-December 1997
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center: Headaches
- "Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine"; Headache in Diabetes---Occipital Neuropathy; K Kaushal et al; December 2003
- American Diabetes Association: Complications
- MedlinePlus: Hypertension
