Certain things can really wreak havoc on our day. And, this could be anything from an angry email from your boss, a tiff with a loved one, or just bad traffic. But, what can really bulldoze the best of days are headaches accompanied by nausea. They seem to occur due to no particular reason and make getting through the day extremely difficult.
In order to be able to treat headaches and nausea, it’s important to identify what’s caused them. Here are a few health conditions that might be guilty of this.
1. Migraine
The most common type of headache that also causes nausea is a migraine. You might feel pain only on one side of the head if you suffer from a migraine. Common symptoms of a migraine (apart from nausea), include sensitivity to light and vomiting. Common triggers of migraine include
- Processed, fermented, pickled, or marinated foods
- Baked goods
- Fruits (such as avocado, banana, and citrus fruit)
- Meat and dairy
- Red wine
- Stress
Certain odors, loud noises, and bright lights might also cause migraines. Over the counter medications, adequate sleep, and stress management might relieve the symptoms of migraine.1
2. Cluster Headaches
Cluster headaches are rare and extremely painful. They are characterized by headaches that come in clusters, with 1–8 headaches a day. These headaches occur during a 1–3 month period almost every year, often at the same time of the year.
The pain caused due to these headaches is always severe and strikes one side of the head. Other symptoms that accompany cluster headaches include
- Nausea
- Red and watery eyes (on the painful side)
- Drooping eyelids
- Runny or blocked nose
The pain starts abruptly and might last for 30–60 minutes. You might feel restless and agitated during this time. Statistics indicate that men are five times more likely to get them as compared to women. A common cause of cluster headaches is smoking. However, anyone can get them. Certain nose drops, medications, and injections might be effective against cluster headaches, so if you suspect that you have them, do consult a doctor at the earliest.2
3. Hypotension
Abnormally low blood pressure might be behind your headaches and nausea. Some people tend to have low blood pressure at all times, and don’t have any accompanying signs or symptoms. This is normal and doesn’t need medical attention. However, sometimes your body might not be able to bring blood pressure back to normal or might be too slow in doing so. This causes symptoms like
- Headaches and dizziness
- Nausea
- Cold, sweaty skin
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision.
Certain medications and health disorders cause hypotension. And, it needs immediate medical attention. So, if you do experience any of the above symptoms along with low blood pressure, do consult a professional immediately.3 4
4. Food Poisoning
Certain kinds of food poisoning can bring about nausea and headaches. These are specific to the organism that contaminates food, including
- Hepatitis A: These virus is found in raw produce, contaminated drinking water, shellfish from contaminated waters, and uncooked foods. They might also be found in cooked foods that are not reheated after coming into contact with an infected food handler. Apart from headache and nausea, poisoning due hepatitis A causes diarrhea, dark urine, jaundice, and abdominal pain.
- Noroviruses: These viruses are also found in raw produce, contaminated water, and uncooked food. They cause headaches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Food poisoning is common in America, with 48 million cases annually. And, while most cases get resolved without treatment, it’s always best to consult a professional to rule out any possible complications.5
5. Scarlet Fever
Scarlet fever is a bacterial infection caused by group A streptococcus (bacteria). It usually affects people who have a strep throat or skin infections caused by the same bacteria. Most common in children, scarlet fever might need medical attention to avoid any complications. The common symptoms of this condition include
- Headaches
- Bodyache
- Nausea and vomiting
- A very red, sore throat
- A fever (104 degrees or above)
- Swollen glands
- A red rash with a sandpaper feel
- Bright red skin in the underarms, elbows, and groin creases
- A whitish coating on the tongue
- A “strawberry” (red and bumpy) tongue
An antibiotic treatment usually relieves this condition. It is also important for people who have this condition to wash their hands regularly and get adequate rest.6
6. Motion Sickness
Motion sickness is caused due to sensitivity to certain kinds of motion. Generally, motion sickness takes place when there is a mismatch between the information that the brain receives from the vestibular system ( inner ear balance mechanism) and what the eyes “see.” Symptoms of motion sickness include
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Burping
- Sweating
- Excessive production of saliva
You might also break a cold sweat if you suffer from motion sickness. You could try staring at a fixed object, close your eyes, and avoid alcohol 24 hours before traveling. Additionally, certain medications can help you beat this condition. But, be sure to consult a professional before self-prescribing.7
7. Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome
This syndrome leads to sudden, repeated attacks of severe nausea, vomiting, and physical exhaustion that seem to occur due to no apparent cause. Other symptoms of this condition include
- Headaches
- Lack of appetite
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Dizziness
- Sensitivity to light
These attacks could last from a few hours to several days. Sometimes, they might be so severe that a person has to stay in bed for days. If you suspect that you might have this condition, do consult a professional immediately.8
Other general causes of a headache and nausea include pregnancy, excessive alcohol or caffeine intake, and dehydration. But, these causes are mild and generally resolve themselves. If you ever suspect that your headache and nausea might be something serious, or if you tend to experience the two a lot, do consult a professional at the earliest.
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