Does Pooping Give You Headache or Migraine Relief?

By weeds

1 min read

I'm not sure I'm a migraine sufferer, but I definitely do identify with "poop headaches". I have understood them for about two years now.
One day I had this serious headache behind my left ear. I took aspirin with a full glass of water (also works with Tylenol). Coincidently I had to poop. The headache went away within 30 minutes after pooping.

Does pooping make your headache go away?

This would happen about once a month. One day I drank the usually large glass of water without an aspirin. Soon had to poop. After the poop, the pain went away within 30 minutes. I was amazed.
From then on, when the pain behind the left ear starts...I drink one or two large glasses of water (no aspirin)...then, very soon after have to poop. Did poop...and the headache is gone within 30 minutes.

I don't know what's going on with my guts to cause this. I am not constipated, nor have diarrhea, etc. Normal stools. No nausea or stomach aches.

I am curious why this works.

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jean Member
<a href='https://migraine.com/blog/gut-brain-connection' target='_blank'>https://migraine.com/blog/gut-brain-connection/</a> Scientists who study this connection refer to the digestive system as the “gut brain”, “second brain”, or more formally as the enteric nervous system (ENS). The vagus nerve connects the brain stem directly to the ENS, enabling direct communication between the two. No other organ system has such a direct pipeline to the brain. Over 90% of the signals traveling along the vagus nerve are sent from the ENS to the brain. Additionally, the ENS is capable of regulating digestion independently of the brain. This was demonstrated by a study in which researchers severed the vagus nerve of rats only to find that their digestive tracts were still functioning 100%. No other organ system can operate independently of the central nervous system.
1. butterflyinspirit Member
 Interesting information! Thanks for sharing!
2. weeds Member
 <inline-mention username="jean" user-id="3767140"/> There is a valve between the small intestine and the colon. (From Wikipedia, "Ileocecal" valve.) The ileocecal valve is a sphincter muscle valve that separates the small intestine and the large intestine.[1] Its critical function is to limit the reflux of colonic contents into the ileum.[2] Approximately two liters of fluid enters the colon daily through the ileocecal valve. The valve apparently fails, on occasion, to do it's one way check valve function. You can google many youtubes with just the "ileocecal" name. They will tell you that massaging that area gets it functioning again...and on occasion gets rid of headaches. I've tried massaging, but with little success with the headache. For me, somehow drinking a lot of water gets things moving again. And I assume it's the valve. Pain does not go away until after the bowel movement is over...takes 5 minutes up to 30 minutes after. Then all fixed. I firmly believe that valve is the problem.
leilanirl Member
I have this problem too, but more than once a month. It occurs at least once a day. Taking magnesium daily has helped with the poop migraines, BUT I'm in the bathroom longer.
jareynaert Member
I also have this problem. My bowels move everyday and seem normal but not enough BM comes out. When my bowels get too full I get a migraine. I take a generic of Maxalt MLT and it works, however, if I don't take something to make my bowels move I will get a migraine everyday until I do! It could be bacteria related.
Tariq Member
These types of migraines are called as congestive migraines.after pooping the sns activity increases causing vasovonstriction whichs stops the headache. The patients here have excess thirst during meals and usually have strong anger bouts..the treatment which always works is a simple homeopathy valled aloe 200c.4 pills once a day will immediately solve the emotional anger,excess thirst,headache and migraines. The hydroxyanthracene in the aloe in the small homeopathic doses is a stimulant laxative which will move the colon and constrict the blood vessels in the head stopping the headache. With time it cures the headaches completely along with the anger bouts. The anger bouts is because the sns requires to be consistently active to stop the headache.. once the sns is corrected anger is no longer required and one calms down.
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Tariq" user-id="5838720"/> I've never heard of "congestive migraine" or these connections you've made above. While it's wonderful when community members find approaches that work for them, we need to take care when talking about strategies which "cure" headaches as there is no cure for migraine. Perhaps you could include some links to research or resources to support what you've shared for those interested in learning more? It's definitely interesting. Thanks for sharing! Warmly- Holly <a href='https://-migraine.com' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>-migraine.com</a> team.
Tariq Member
Basically the blood vessels dilate causing congestion like sensation. This is only for the migraine subtypes which are releived by passing stools and not the other types. This is not to be used for sudden or thunderclap migraines which can represent hemorrages.
Tariq Member
The emodin in the aloe blocks Nitric oxide, Calcitonin gene related peptide,Substance p, TNF-α and hence reduce vessel dilation and pain while at the same time helping pass stools.it blocks migraines
Womble Member
I literally just now experienced this, and I was convinced there was a connection, hence me googling it and ending up here.
1. Nancy Harris Bonk Moderator
 <inline-mention username="Womble" user-id="6784158"/> Thanks for sharing. Did you find the information you were looking for! Wishing you a low pain day, Nancy Harris Bonk, Patient Leader/Moderator <a href='https://migraine.com' target='_blank'>Migraine.com</a> Team
wpauls Member
I've always called mine a 'food headache'. Most of my pounding headaches are at night, usually around 4:00 am. I do fifty pushups or arm twirls or lunges and that takes the edge off the headache which always is on the lower left back side of my head. Then around 6:00 am, I wake up, have a bowel movement and the headache goes away. When I have a nap I also get a headache, but because I get up and move around right away, it usually goes away. Sure would be nice not to dread going to sleep.
1. Nancy Harris Bonk Moderator
 <inline-mention username="wpauls" user-id="9817024"/> Thank you for joining the conversation and sharing your experience with us! I can imagine how frustrating it is to fear going to sleep. Many times when we wake with migraine pain it may be an indication of a sleep issue, of which there are over 80 in addition to sleep apnea! I have restless leg and when well managed I wake with fewer morning migraine attacks. You may want to have a conversation with your doctor about having a sleep study. Let me share some of our resources on this topic from our main website; 1) <a href='https://migraine.com/blog/movement-disorders-and-migraines' target='_blank'>https://migraine.com/blog/movement-disorders-and-migraines</a> 2) <a href='https://migraine.com/living-migraine/10-tips-quiet-mind-sleep' target='_blank'>https://migraine.com/living-migraine/10-tips-quiet-mind-sleep</a> There is also a primary headache called hypnic headache you may want to discuss with your doctor. This headache occurs at the same time each night and you can read more about that here; 3) <a href='https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557598/' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557598/</a> I'm sending you pain free wishes and I hope you keep me posted on how you are doing, Nancy Harris Bonk, Patient Leader/Moderator (team member)
2. Melissa Arnold Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="wpauls" user-id="9817024"/> I find it interesting that exercising is helpful for your migraine. Plenty of people here have trouble exercising because it's a migraine trigger for them. But that's just proof that migraine is so unique to each person, and so are their "toolkits" of coping mechanisms. How amazing that you were able to connect the dots about your fight with malaria, food intolerance and migraine. I bet that having that information has been a boon to your treatment. All the best! -Melissa, team member
wpauls Member
Thanks for your informative response. I've done the sleep study, had all sorts of monitors and tests. Seems that with my food intolerance for fats, oils and dairy, and the fact that I had malaria (3 x) in which the 'cures' probably destroyed the enzymes in my gut, when food sits in my gut, it brings on the headaches. I'll check out your websites. Appreciate any glimmer of hope!! Wilf
1. Tonya Henry Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="wpauls" user-id="9817024"/> hi there. I am sorry to hear about the 3x with malaria. That is terrible. What medication were you on for that treatment? I know an immunosuppressant that I take, can be used for that, Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil). This medication can cause stomach upset, nausea and other related things. Some have to take it with food/milk. I wanted to say that some on it, deal with constipation as well. When I am very constipated, I do end up with horrible symptoms. It always end in a migraine. I hope that today/tonight, is a good one for you. (Tonya, team member).