Headaches and loss of appetite can be caused by various factors including the flu, stress, meningitis, and migraines. Treatment can range from rest and home remedies to medical intervention if symptoms persist.
Most people experience headaches and loss of appetite at least once. While there is often no serious cause for this feeling, both could be a sign of an underlying condition. Some of the possible reasons for these symptoms include the flu virus, stress or anxiety, meningitis, or developing a migraine.
The influenza virus, commonly referred to as the flu, can affect a person in a number of ways. Many sufferers experience headaches and stomach pains, which includes a loss of appetite. People with the flu may also have fever, joint pain, and body aches.
Stress and anxiety can also cause a person to experience headaches and loss of appetite. Often, people who are feeling stressed or anxious will experience a tightening of the muscles in the scalp, neck and shoulder area. Tensing these muscles is a possible cause of stress headaches. Some people also lose their appetite when they’re stressed; skipping meals can also cause headaches. Such headaches can be acute or ongoing, particularly in cases of chronic stress.
Headaches are also a common symptom of meningitis, which is inflammation of the membranes that protect the spinal cord and brain. Meningitis is treatable, but it is a very serious condition, possibly fatal if not treated properly. Individuals who have headaches, stiff necks, nausea, and loss of appetite can become infected with meningitis.
Individuals who suffer from migraines sometimes experience a loss of appetite as well. In addition to headaches, other migraine symptoms to be aware of are eye pain, blurred vision, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light or sound, sweating, and chills. A severe headache in tandem with these symptoms may, in fact, be due to a migraine.
Treatment for headaches and loss of appetite can be as simple as taking time to rest and relax, or it can include over-the-counter medications or home remedies. When these don’t work, however, medical intervention may be required. Often these symptoms are fleeting, but when they persist and don’t respond to traditional headache treatments, they can indicate that they are due to a serious condition.
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