Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that attacks the insulin producing cells in the pancreas, a small organ hidden behind the lower part of the stomach. Insulin is the hormone that breaks down the glucose in food and helps distribute it into the body where it becomes energy.  Generally known as “Juvenile onset diabetes”, Type 1 is recognized as such because it is diagnosed in children and adolescents.  This allows the body to swing from immense sugar highs to absolute sugar lows. Since everyone’s bodies process sugar differently the acceptable ranges for blood sugar levels are from 60-110. Sometimes when the body has too low or too high a blood sugar level, it can trigger either headaches or even migraines.

Migraines are headaches that can cause severe pain for anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Some of the symptoms for a migraine headache, which happen either several hours or a day before, can be similar to a person’s low blood sugar indicators. These symptoms include: a craving for sweets, drowsiness, and increased thirst. At the time these symptoms occur one needs to check their blood sugar level and see if it either high or low because it could trigger a headache that could border on a migraine. After checking the level and taking the appropriate amount of insulin to correct your sugar level you should notice a decrease in your headache symptoms. Pivoting on where the level will depend on how long it takes your body to improve.

A person with diabetes is ceaselessly learning how their body responds to not only their insulin, but to foods as well. It is because of this that one has to pay attention to their individual body and how long it takes to for it to respond to the insulin injection. Depending on how long a person has been on insulin, one may observe that it can longer for the body to recuperate from either a sugar high or a sugar low. Unfortunately, headaches are a part of a person’s life, but for those with diabetes it can seem worse.

Headaches can appear as if they will keep you down and out of the game. However, they can be managed and at times even kept at bay. Experts recommend that you keep a journal containing the following things: stressors before the headache, foods you ate, what time of the day, and the blood sugar level at the time. You must always remember to get plenty of sleep, but not too much. Too much sleep can cause headaches just as much as not getting enough. It is recommended that children get anywhere from nine to fifteen hours of sleep. Adults should get at least seven to nine hours to stay fully rested and healthy.

Overall, type 1 diabetes can seem like it controls your life, and possibly your head. You can enjoy life with your diabetes, so long as you act responsible. Take care of yourself and may this help you when your headaches come.