Severe headaches and nausea can be connected in various ways, such as in the case of migraines or hangovers. Viruses and other diseases that affect the stomach can also cause headaches. Treatment usually focuses on the underlying condition and may involve different medications for headaches and nausea.
There are several possible connections between severe headaches and nausea. Sometimes it is the headache itself that causes nausea, especially in the case of migraine. In other cases, they may be two separate symptoms of a common disorder or condition. Many viruses and other diseases that affect the stomach can also cause headaches, and this is one of the main connections.
When most people describe a severe headache and nausea in direct association with each other, it is referred to as a migraine, and there is some research into how this connection works. Migraines are usually caused by swelling of blood vessels within the brain, and this type of swelling appears to be related to serotonin levels. There is also research suggesting that lowered serotonin levels can make you feel nauseous. Not all migraine sufferers experience nausea, but it is very common. Sometimes migraine-related nausea is triggered by movement, and sometimes it has no direct cause other than the migraine itself.
Another common condition where severe headaches and nausea can coexist is a hangover. Many people who use alcohol can experience a very unpleasant condition when the alcohol wears off. This is usually felt the next morning upon waking up. It shares some symptoms with migraines, including sensitivity to light and sound, along with severe headaches and nausea.
There are many viruses and bacterial infections that cause severe headaches and nausea at the same time. The flu, for example, is known to cause both symptoms. This is partly because both symptoms are manifestations of the immune system fighting off a disease. When a person becomes infected, one of the immune system reactions is often fever, and fever can potentially cause headaches. Another way the body deals with foreign invaders is to push things out through vomiting and diarrhea, so a person may feel nauseous as well.
People who experience severe headaches and nausea usually treat each condition separately. Most medications that help control headaches aren’t particularly helpful for nausea problems and vice versa. It is sometimes possible to focus treatment on the underlying condition, and if this approach is successful, the symptoms usually go away as well. Some common medications that help with headaches are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acetaminophen, and special prescription medications. Treatments for nausea vary significantly depending on the underlying cause of the condition, but could include things like promethazine hydrochloride.
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