What Are the Causes of Headaches After Eating?
Headaches can range from mild to severe and may be triggered by normal activities. According to WebMD, more than 25% of migraine sufferers have food-triggered headaches.
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Food Triggers
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Alcoholic beverages such as red wine and beer may be headache triggers. Foods containing the chemical tyramine commonly trigger headaches. Many foods--such as cheeses, processed meats, onions, nuts, and red wine--naturally contain this chemical .
Additive Triggers
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Food additives such as nitrates and colorings may increase blood flow to the brain, which can cause headaches in some people.
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Brain Freeze Headache
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Icecream and slush-like drinks commonly cause "brain freeze." Eating or drinking extremely cold foods cools the blood that flows near the brain and can result in a "brain freeze" headache, which commonly lasts only a few minutes.
Medical Condition
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Trigeminal neuralgia is a medical condition characterized by searing pain in the face after common activities such as eating or applying makeup. Seek medical treatment if over-the-counter treatments do not alleviate the symptoms.
Determine Your Trigger
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If you suspect a certain food trigger, keep a diary of the foods you eat and how you are affected. Some people may be able to avoid food headaches by avoiding certain foods and beverages.
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References
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