What do diabetic headaches feel like?

Blood sugar that is too low (typically less than 70 mg/dL) is referred to as hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia can deny your brain of glucose, which can trigger a headache. According to the National Headache Foundation, a hypoglycemia headache often feels like a dull throbbing pain in the temples.

Does diabetes cause head pain?

Headaches due to diabetes are often moderate to severe in nature, and are known to occur frequently. These headaches can be a sign that your blood glucose is either too high or too low. Getting your blood sugar under control may be the first step toward relief.

Where are diabetic headaches located?

With too much high blood glucose, nerve damage can occur in the long-term. If a person does have neuropathy, they might get a neuropathic headache. This is where the inflamed nerves in the brain lead to pain signals being activated.

How long do diabetic headaches last?

These headaches can last for a few hours up to a few days. Hypoglycemia (defined as a fasting blood glucose below 70 mg/dL) has been reported to be associated with hypnic headaches as well, which are also referred to as alarm clock headaches.

Can diabetics take aspirin for headaches?

If you have diabetes and are not taking daily aspirin, you may be wondering if you can take aspirin occasionally for pain relief. A good rule of thumb is to speak with your doctor before taking aspirin or another nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), for pain relief.

Can you take ibuprofen if you are diabetic?

People with diabetes should not take ibuprofen unless a provider advises it. This drug could cause acute renal failure in people with kidney problems. If you have diabetes, some cold medicines sold over-the-counter to treat colds and flu can affect your blood glucose level.

Is a headache neuropathic pain?

If the pathophysiologic models previously described are valid, migraine and chronic migraine are neuropathic pain syndromes; therefore, the variable responsiveness of migraine disorders to opioid analgesics should not be unexpected.

What should diabetics take for headache?

Given the connection between diabetes and high blood pressure and the cardiovascular risk associated with NSAIDs, TYLENOL® may be the right OTC pain reliever for you.

Which painkiller is safe for diabetic patients?

TYLENOL® is the #1 Doctor Recommended Pain Relief brand for patients with diabetes.

What does it mean when you get a sharp pain in your temple?

One type of headache called temporal arteritis needs medical attention. Throbbing pain in the temples, especially on just one side of your head, is typically a symptom of migraine pain.

What causes temples to hurt?

Temple pain can result from an underlying medical condition, though this is rare. Over-the-counter pain medication and lifestyle changes can often relieve pain in the temples. If a person has additional symptoms or concerns, however, it may be a good idea to consult a healthcare provider.

Can you take painkillers if you have diabetes?

But your diabetes puts you at elevated risk for certain other health conditions. So you may have other medical conditions you need to manage—and you will need to watch out for the effect any pain killers you take can have on those. For example, NSAIDS like ibuprofen and naproxen can increase your blood pressure.

Which diabetes drugs can cause joint pain?

An entire class of diabetes drugs can cause severe and disabling joint pain, the Food and Drug Administration cautioned patients on Friday. The drugs, which include Januvia, Onglyza, Tradjenta and Nesina, are all in the same class and work by making more insulin available to the body. Januvia was the first approved in the U.S. in 2006.

Are there any over-the-counter medications for diabetes pain relief?

Even over-the-counter medications can interact with other medications or cause severe side effects in people with diabetes. Here are some over-the-counter pain relief options to consider: NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). These drugs reduce inflammation and relieve pain.