Q&A: Can microwave ovens cause headaches?

Probably not. But it's possible that your headaches are triggered by additives in foods often heated in microwaves, such as nitrites and nitrates in certain meats and monosodium glutamate in packaged foods. Even if radiation from a microwave oven caused headaches (and we found no reliable evidence that it does), the Food and Drug Administration allows microwaves to leak only minuscule amounts of radiation during cooking. Those amounts are far below the levels known to cause any kind of harm. Standing a few feet away from the machine cuts the exposure by about a hundred times. And microwaves are designed to stop emitting radiation when the door is opened. So a well-maintained model should pose no health risks. (Never use a microwave with a broken door or door seal, which could allow potentially dangerous levels of radiation to leak out.)

Take a look at our information on chronic tension headaches and migraines, and learn how to treat headache pain.