Does Pooping Give You Headache or Migraine Relief?

By weeds

1 min read

Last updated: April 2023

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
<a href='https://migraine.com/blog/gut-brain-connection/' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>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. jean
 I have no answers for you but I've heard that "Drinking 1-2 glasses warm water in the morning, 20 minutes before breakfast, flushes your system, stimulates your bowels to move, and hydrates you,"
2. butterflyinspirit
 Interesting information! Thanks for sharing!
leilanirl
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
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
These types of migraines are called as congestive <a href='http://migraines.after' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>migraines.after</a> 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
 <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='http://-migraine.com' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>-migraine.com</a> team.
Tariq
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
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 <a href='http://stools.it' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>stools.it</a> blocks migraines
Womble
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='http://Migraine.com' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>Migraine.com</a> Team