Headaches and nausea often go together, yet can also be indicative of more serious underlying conditions. In this article we’ll look at why they occur as well as treatments and prevention strategies available for them.
Your doctor can suggest stress-relief techniques and medications to prevent migraines or other types of headaches as well as anti-nausea drugs for frequent attacks. These medications could come in pill, nasal sprays, suppositories, syrups or injections form.
Causes
Headaches and nausea typically resolve on their own or can be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers. However, if these symptoms continue or become severe it is important to contact your physician to discuss possible treatment options. Headache and nausea could also be symptoms of an underlying medical condition such as low blood sodium (salt), food poisoning or infection with human papillomavirus COVID-19 infection.
Migraines are severe types of primary headaches that typically strike one side of the head and typically preceded by an aura, a sensation often comprising flashes of light or other sensory disturbances, including sound sensitivity and smell sensitivities. An attack typically lasts from four hours up to several days and may include thunderclap pain which lasts all or part of this time; nausea may accompany it as well as light, sound and scent sensitivities which are usually triggered by stress, alcohol consumption, certain foods or hormones which makes its severity all the more devastating.
Cluster headaches are another type of primary headaches. These episodes typically recur at the same time each day for several weeks and tend to affect one side of the head, often at around the same time each day. Their pain ranges from moderate to debilitating and is typically preceded by “funny feelings” or involuntary facial or body movements on that side; additionally they can cause red, swollen, teary eyes/nose/ears on that side as well as runny or stuffy nose/runny or stuffy nose/runny or stuffy nose/etc.
Other causes of headaches and nausea include low blood sodium or salt levels, caffeine withdrawal, food poisoning, influenza or covid virus infections and certain medications, such as NSAIDs. A headache may also result from increased intracranial pressure caused by tumor growth or fluid buildup within the brain.
Your doctor will conduct a physical exam, take your medical history and conduct diagnostic tests (blood, x-ray or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). They may also suggest keeping a diary about the triggers behind your headaches in order to try and identify ways that work or hinder them.
Symptoms
If you experience headaches and nausea, it can be alarming to assume they’re a sign of brain tumor or another serious health condition. But that isn’t necessarily true: migraine headache is typically responsible; other potential triggers for this combination include meningitis and neurological conditions.
Nausea can occur when your body attempts to digest food or after overeating foods that are unhealthy for you. It may also be the result of medications or illnesses like flu, labyrinthitis or vestibular neuritis; when this happens it’s essential that you see a doctor to discuss possible treatment plans that depend on what’s causing the discomfort.
symptoms of migraine headache can range from an early prodrome (premonition or prodromal phase), in which mood and behavior changes occur several hours before head pain manifests itself, to aura symptoms like vision changes, hallucinations hallucinations numbness and speech changes that develop before pain sets in. Once migraine headache sets in it can manifest as an intensely painful, throbbing headache on one or both sides of the head and can be made worse by light sound movement and certain foods or beverages; and lastly its resolution (in which pain subsides or goes away) is usually followed by fatigue irritability difficulty and difficulty concentrating upon completion.
There are other conditions that may cause headache and nausea, such as sinusitis, neck injury, eye problems, jaw problems or meningitis. When there are major changes to your headache pattern or type, always consult a medical provider immediately, as these could be indicators of more serious conditions like strokes or brain tumors.
To help treat headaches and nausea, identify and avoid their triggers. This might involve avoiding spicy or fatty foods, drinking plenty of water and getting sufficient restful sleep. Exercise regularly while adhering to a healthy diet as well as visiting headache support groups for advice on managing these symptoms.
Treatment
An accompanying headache and nausea often go hand in hand; treatment and prevention depend on its source. Migraines are the primary source of such issues. Drug treatments to alleviate pain and prevent future attacks have proven highly effective; such treatments come both as pills as well as liquid or injection forms. Non-drug approaches include avoiding foods or beverages which trigger symptoms, getting adequate restful sleep and employing stress reduction techniques.
Cluster headaches are sudden, severe and recurrent painful headaches that often affect one side of the head; often near or behind one eye. Other symptoms may include ringing in ears or necks, facial swelling and facial nerve sensitivity, as well as changes in vision sensitivity; in rare cases these migraines are preceded by visual warning signs called auras.
Trigeminal neuralgia headaches may have many causes. Researchers funded by NIH are investigating whether certain brain cells can be targeted with medications to ease its discomfort, while anticonvulsants, anesthetics and glycerol injections which block nerve signaling along the trigeminal nerve are other effective remedies for treating severe cases of trigeminal neuralgia. Surgery or deep brain stimulation (in which battery-powered electrodes are surgically implanted into the brain) may also help.
Many diseases may also lead to headache and nausea, including low blood sodium levels (hyponatremia) and dehydration, flu, colds and COVID-19 infections as well as food poisoning resulting from eating or drinking something contaminated, which may also result in these symptoms.
Headaches and nausea may be symptoms of an acute medical issue that needs immediate medical care, such as fever and vomiting that doesn’t stop within 24 hours, seizures in children, dizziness, confusion, speech difficulties, or numbness in arms or legs following head injury. Seek emergency care immediately in such instances.
Prevention
Avoiding triggers for migraines and nausea is often the key to staying headache-free and feeling good, including foods like processed meats, hard cheeses and preservative-laden products such as processed meats. Caffeine and alcohol should also be limited or completely avoided to decrease any chance of headache or nausea arising; other potential triggers could include medications, light or noise pollution and stress; altering normal sleeping patterns or less physical activity can also precipitate headaches and nausea attacks.
If you experience headaches and nausea, there are a few treatments you can try to alleviate symptoms. A dark room with low light levels, combined with an ice pack covered in cloth can provide immediate relief. In order to see patterns emerge during episodes of headache and nausea, keeping a headache diary is an effective way of tracking events; write down when each episode occurred, how long it lasted and its cause; additionally note any visual disturbances or touch sensitivities as symptoms of itching skin or visual disturbances.
Anti-nausea medication comes in pill, nasal spray and injection forms – speak to your physician about which may work for you!
OTC pain relievers may provide temporary relief from headaches and nausea; however, be wary not to use them too frequently as overuse may lead to medication-overuse headaches and side effects like stomach problems such as ulcers. Speak with your physician about alternative therapies like biofeedback and acupuncture which could assist with relieving symptoms more effectively.
People suffering from migraines and nausea may find relief through practicing daily relaxation techniques to ease symptoms and enhance quality of life. Others find relief through inhaling peppermint oil or wearing lavender-scented neck wraps from companies like Huggaroo or Koldtec.
Diet, rest and stress management can all play an integral part in avoiding headaches and nausea, though if they occur you should visit your physician promptly to make sure it doesn’t signal an underlying medical condition.