Migraines - Low Blood Sugar - Gluten Sensitivity - Is there a link?

by Rose
(Canada)

I'd love to hear your comments on any research done by you or anyone else regarding a connection between gluten sensitivity and migraines, low-blood sugar levels and digestion problems.


After reading your article I wonder if I am sensitive to gluten. I definitely cannot be without eating WW bread or sugar, if I don't I get migraines. And if I get a migraine, the nausea I feel is alleviated many times by eating bread or sugar, or even a coke. I even get anxious if I don't have some sort of sugar right away.

Every since I have memory (4 or 5 years old), I've had what I thought were digestion problems (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, infections), followed by a headache. Usually cured by taking some sort of medication for the stomach (alka seltzer being the most common) and waiting for my body to eliminate. Later in life I found my digestion problems and headaches (later diagnosed as migraines) were also alleviated by eating something sweet like candy or chocolate, eating bread or anything baked, or by drinking a coke.

As an adult I've been diagnosed with migraines and have been told my nausea is caused by the migraine and not the other way around. I've also been told that my low blood sugar is causing my migraine. Exactly the opposite of what I had thought.

During the years, I've had low iron, h-pylori and an ulcer diagnosed at age 14. I've had stomach problems constantly and always.

I've learned to deal with all these symptoms, but my real concern now is that I am constantly tired no matter how much I sleep, I have big brown bags under my eyes, I am daily craving sugar and therefore gaining weight. I'm even beginning to feel out of control.

Thank you,
Rose

Comments for Migraines - Low Blood Sugar - Gluten Sensitivity - Is there a link?

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Hypoglycemia...
by: Kerri Knox, RN- The Immune Queen!

Hi Rose,

It would be an excellent idea if you talked to your doctor and got a glucose tolerance test. It sounds suspiciously like you have hypoglycemia.

If you "need" sugar or you'll get a migraine, I think that you are just likely waiting too long to eat 'something' and that if you ate something with protein and fat in it every 3 hours, then it's likely that you wouldn't 'need' the sugar, because your sugar would already be up high enough to ward off the migraine!

There are PLENTY of studies about hypoglycemia and migraines.


Recurrent Migraine Headaches Associated with Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia: Implications and Suggestions for Research


But it sounds like you've been told this already. Have you not taken action for hypoglycemia for any reason in particular?


Hypoglycemia seems to respond well to a high protein diet as outlined in This Study.


But since you have noticed digestive problems since childhood, there is also an excellent chance that you may be gluten sensitive as well.

Rose, the reason that you feel terrible is that you are on a roller coaster ride of 'using' processed foods as a drug! What kind of nutrients could you possibly be getting if you are eating sugar and bread all day just to ward off and treat your migraines?

It's unlikely that you are ever going to get better unless you get off of all sugar and processed foods and get enough protein and fat at regular intervals to maintain your blood sugar.

You are probably extremely malnourished of vitamins and minerals with that kind of diet. So, it would be a good idea to also ask your doctor for a Vitamin D level and a Methylmalonic Acid test for Vitamin B12.

But until you get off of the processed foods and gluten, you will just be spinning your wheels. If you want some help with an excellent diet plan for hypoglycemia, take a look at
The Healthy Urban Kitchen. They can show you EXACTLY what to eat to get off of gluten while eating high protein and healthy.

I hope that you decide to take action Rose. Let us know what you decide and how it goes.





Kerri Knox, RN- The Immune Health Queen
Functional Medicine Practitioner
Easy Immune Health.com
Uncanny!
by: Anonymous

I have been diagnosed Hypoglycemic in the last year and have had IBS for some time. However, my understanding is that Hypoglycemia is caused by something occuring to your health. I don't have the migraines but in this last two weeks I've carried out a gluten free diet and all my fatigue, joint aches, pains in gut, mood, bloatedness, dizziness and balance have improved no end. I also suffered pins and needles in my feet on and off and since been on this gluten free diet I feel like me again - happy and full of life. I can not encourage you enough like me to go straight back to your Dr and seriously talk about having tests to confirm whether you may have an intolerance or be Celiac. I wish you well and good luck in your quest ahead.
Tests won't help
by: Kerri Knox, RN- The Immune Queen!

Congratulations on your success. I hear this all the time! However, tests will not help figure out if you will benefit from a gluten free diet. There are none that are accurate. Just trying it out is the best way to figure out if it works for you.


Kerri KNox, RN
Rely On Your Body, Not Tests!
by: Ashley Noelle Richardson

Yes, it is common for people to rely on their doctors to steer them in the direction of better health. But, how long into these consultations are you offered a prescription? It seems that whenever a doctor doesn't know what advice to give, the pad and pen come out and the end of the meeting is evident.

My doctor had no information on IBS other than the suggestion of fiber pills which was what brought our converstation about my symptoms to a screaching hault. The pad and pen stop all information sharing. From then on, it's about managing and monitoring symptoms of a medication.

I urge everyone to stay away from tests and medications. Try cutting out the gluten for two weeks. Get on youtube and watch people discuss their own symptoms. It's amazing the stuff you will be able to relate to and find your symptoms a lot less alien. You wont find all information on this site helpful or even true, but you will be more aware of the possibilities out there and know that our bodies are all made up of the same stuff. We are victims of the processed food world. We are victims of the sugar and wheat centered government subsidies that make up the majority of the food advertised.

So, join in the conversation that is taking place for people all over the world. You'll feel more hopeful, GUARENTEED!
Migraine
by: Anonymous

I have migraine and thyroid as well . So to control my weight i have to eat very carefully. Moreover glutten increases my weight . So i avoid wheat. Being a vegetarian I don't know what I should include in my diet to have a balanced sugar level. Because low sugar is giving me migraines.. Then I end up eating all the wrong food . Please suggest.

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