The Connection Between Constipation and Headaches
If you occasionally get constipated and frequently battle headaches or migraines, you may suspect the two issues could be connected. The good news is by learning more about the relationship between constipation and headaches, you can take steps to find relief.
Can Constipation Cause Headaches? An Overview
Studies have found that there may be a relationship between some types of headaches and chronic constipation or an imbalance of gut bacteria leading to an excess of methane gas. Specifically, constipation and migraine headaches appear connected in some adults.
However, the exact root biological causes behind headaches are still being researched. For many people, constipation alone may not directly trigger headaches and other factors are often involved. Things like diet, hormones, and muscle tension can overlay with constipation to spur on migraines.
Possible Connections Between Bowel Issues and Head Pain
While constipation does not always cause headaches directly, here is an overview of some theories on how the two issues may be interrelated for some people:
- Chronic constipation can lead to an accumulation of neurotoxic substances due to waste buildup. These substances may trigger inflammatory responses that affect the brain and nerves.
- Constipation and an imbalance of gut microbiota may generate higher levels of methane gas. Studies show higher methane levels are observed in those with migraine headaches.
- Straining from constipation can tense muscles in the head, neck, and shoulders potentially increasing migraine risk due to referred pain.
- For some people, constipation may be an early symptom signaling an oncoming migraine episode due tooverlapping neurological pathways.
Other Common Triggers Behind Migraines
In addition to the possible link between constipation and headaches, numerous other triggers are known to spark migraine episodes for those prone to them. Common culprits include:
Hormonal Changes
Fluctuating estrogen levels during the menstrual cycle or with the use of oral contraceptives can trigger migraines in some women. Perimenopause and menopause transitions are also high risk periods.
Food and Drink
Dehydration, alcohol, caffeine withdrawal, artificial sweeteners, processed meats with nitrates, aged cheeses, chocolate, and fasting can prompt headaches for some migraine sufferers.
Stress and Emotions
High stress, anxiety, depression, shock, sadness, and excessive excitement can spark migraine episodes, especially if other triggers also stack up.
Medications
Certain prescription and over-the-counter medications like vasodilators and oral contraceptives may cause rebound headaches if overused. Abruptly stopping some drugs can also trigger withdrawal headaches.
Sleep Disturbances
Insufficient sleep, jet lag while traveling, or shifting sleep-wake cycles can lead to migraines for vulnerable individuals, likely due to metabolic changes.
Environmental Factors
Strong smells like perfume, exposure to smoke or pollution, bright flashing lights, loud noises, high altitude, and weather changes impacting barometric pressure can all trigger migraines.
Other Health Conditions Linked With Headaches
In addition to constipation, several other chronic health conditions appear connected with higher rates of migraine headaches or more severe episodes. These include:
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Much like constipation, IBS involves significant digestive issues and gastrointestinal discomfort. The recurring pain and bowel changes of IBS also seem to have a higher correlation with migraine headaches compared to occasional constipation.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
The overlap between chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms and migraine suggests the two conditions may have some common causal factors and disease pathways.
Fibromyalgia
The muscle tender points and achey pain of fibromyalgia share some similarities with migraine pain. More research is still needed on the exact headache-fibromyalgia relationship.
Depression and Anxiety Disorders
Mood disorders like major depression, anxiety, OCD, and PTSD have extensive neurological overlap with migraine disease. Stress is also a major contributor to both headache and mental health conditions.
Tips To Relieve Constipation and Migraine Symptoms
If you frequently battle constipation and headaches together or suspect they may be connected for you, try these tips to find relief from both issues:
Adjust Your Diet
Eat more high fiber fruits, vegetables, beans, lentils, nuts and seeds to ease constipation through improved digestion and bowel motility. Limit processed foods, too much red meat, cheese and cured meats which can be constipating for some. Also restrict common migraine food triggers like aged cheese and processed meats with nitrates.
Stay Well Hydrated
Proper water intake is vital for reducing constipation and headaches. Cool water can also provide relief when sipped during migraine attacks to counteract dehydration and overheating.
Take Regular Exercise
Physical activity stimulates digestion and relieves muscle tension from the core, neck and shoulders. This helps constipation through faster transit times and decreases headaches by releasing trigger points. Low impact cardio and light yoga are great options.
Improve Sleep Habits
Aim for 7 to 9 hours of high quality sleep per night. Getting too little sleep and shifting sleep-wake cycles often will trigger more frequent headaches and digestive woes over time due to hormonal and metabolic disruptions.
Explore Biofeedback
For some migraine sufferers, biofeedback training helps identify subtle muscle tension patterns that could contribute to both headaches and occasional constipation. Learning to consciously release this tension and relax can interrupt symptoms.
Consider Nutritional Supplements
Probiotics support healthy gut microbiota which may ease constipation while decreasing migraine frequency for some people. Magnesium, riboflavin (B2), Coenzyme Q10 and ginger may also help prevent headaches.
See Your Doctor
If you frequently have concurrent issues with severe constipation and migraines, seek medical guidance to explore appropriate testing and treatment. This may include diet changes, stress reduction techniques, medications, natural supplements, biofeedback, and ruling out any underlying conditions.
Seeking Lasting Relief for Chronic Headaches and Bowel Problems
While simple constipation alone does not seem to trigger true migraines for most people, improving chronic digestive issues like IBS may still provide headache relief for some. This suggests complex interactions through brain-gut pathways.
Be sure to track your specific headache triggers and work with a doctor to discover any connections with your individual case. Finding the right combination of preventative lifestyle measures, stress coping methods, and well-targeted treatment provides your best chance for resolving chronic headaches and ongoing bowel problems.
FAQs
Can going to the bathroom more often help relieve headaches?
Yes, relieving constipation by having more frequent, regular bowel movements may help decrease headache frequency for some people prone to migraines.
What foods are most likely to cause constipation and headaches?
Cheese, processed meats with nitrates, red meat, chips, pizza, pasta and baked goods tend to be the most constipating foods. They can trigger both migraines and constipation symptoms for some individuals.
Can probiotic supplements help both constipation and headaches?
Yes, probiotic strains like lactobacillus and bifidobacterium support healthy digestion and gut balance. This may relieve constipation while reducing inflammationlinked to migraines for some people.
Should I see a neurologist or gastroenterologist for constipation headaches?
You may need to see both specialists for an evaluation if you have chronic issues with constipation and frequent migraine attacks. Testing for underlying causes often requires collaboration across specialties.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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