What are the common causes of headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and stomach pain occurring together. When should you contact a doctor for these symptoms. How can these symptoms be related to conditions like gastroenteritis, pregnancy, migraine, and respiratory illnesses.

Understanding the Interconnected Symptoms: Headache, Nausea, Dizziness, Fatigue, and Stomach Pain

When multiple symptoms occur simultaneously, it can be challenging to pinpoint the exact cause. Headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and stomach pain are often interrelated and may stem from various underlying conditions. These symptoms can be interconnected in several ways:

• A headache and dizziness might result from changes within the head
• Stomach pain could be a consequence of nausea
• Fatigue may develop due to persistent pain or discomfort

Given the complexity of these symptoms, it’s crucial to consider various potential causes and seek professional medical advice for an accurate diagnosis.

Gastroenteritis: A Common Culprit for Multiple Symptoms

Gastroenteritis, often referred to as stomach flu, is a frequent cause of multiple symptoms including headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and stomach pain. This condition results from inflammation of the stomach and intestines, typically caused by viral or bacterial infections.

Key Symptoms of Gastroenteritis

• Vomiting and watery diarrhea
• Headache (often due to dehydration)
• Fever and muscle cramps
• Stomach cramps

Is gastroenteritis always a cause for concern? In most cases, viral gastroenteritis resolves on its own without medical intervention. However, certain symptoms warrant immediate medical attention:

• Signs of severe dehydration (e.g., dark urine, extreme thirst, sunken eyes)
• Diarrhea lasting more than 2 days
• High fever
• Severe abdominal or rectal pain
• Black or bloody stools

Pregnancy: A Natural Cause of Multiple Symptoms

Pregnancy can induce a wide range of symptoms, including headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and stomach pain. These symptoms may occur at any stage of pregnancy but are often more pronounced during the early stages due to hormonal changes.

Common Pregnancy-Related Symptoms

• Nausea and vomiting (morning sickness)
• Headaches and dizziness
• Fatigue and low blood pressure
• Stomach and pelvic pain
• Changes in vaginal discharge or urination patterns

Are these symptoms always normal during pregnancy? While many of these symptoms are typical, it’s essential to report all symptoms to a healthcare provider. Severe symptoms, such as intense headaches, extreme dizziness, or inability to keep food down, require immediate medical attention.

Migraine: More Than Just a Headache

Migraine is a chronic neurological condition that can cause a constellation of symptoms beyond just headache. Understanding the full spectrum of migraine symptoms can help in early recognition and management of this condition.

Characteristic Migraine Symptoms

• Intense, often one-sided headache
• Nausea and sometimes vomiting
• Dizziness and sensitivity to light and sound
• Mood changes and fatigue
• Visual disturbances (aura) in some cases

Can migraines be dangerous? While migraines themselves are not typically dangerous, certain accompanying symptoms may indicate a more serious condition:

• Fever or chills
• Unexplained weight loss
• Sudden severe pain or facial tingling
• Vision changes or persistent pain in one area of the head

Respiratory Illnesses: The Cold and Flu Connection

Both the common cold and influenza can cause a range of symptoms that extend beyond the respiratory system. While they share some similarities, the flu typically presents with more severe symptoms and a higher risk of complications.

Comparing Cold and Flu Symptoms

How can you differentiate between a cold and the flu? While both conditions share symptoms, the flu typically comes on more suddenly, causes more severe symptoms, and has a higher risk of complications such as pneumonia.

COVID-19: A New Consideration in Symptom Analysis

The COVID-19 pandemic has added a new dimension to the evaluation of symptoms like headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and stomach pain. While respiratory symptoms are more commonly associated with COVID-19, gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms can also occur.

Potential COVID-19 Symptoms

• Fever or chills
• Cough and shortness of breath
• Fatigue and body aches
• Headache and dizziness
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Loss of taste or smell

When should you get tested for COVID-19? If you experience any combination of these symptoms, especially if you’ve been in contact with someone who has tested positive or if you’ve been in a high-risk area, it’s advisable to get tested and self-isolate until you receive your results.

Dehydration: An Overlooked Cause of Multiple Symptoms

Dehydration can result from various conditions, including gastroenteritis, and can itself cause a range of symptoms. Recognizing the signs of dehydration is crucial for prompt treatment and prevention of more serious complications.

Signs of Dehydration

• Extreme thirst
• Dark-colored urine
• Fatigue and dizziness
• Headache
• Dry mouth and skin
• Rapid heartbeat

How can you prevent dehydration? Drinking plenty of fluids, especially during illness or in hot weather, is key. For mild dehydration, oral rehydration solutions can be effective. However, severe dehydration requires immediate medical attention.

When to Seek Medical Attention: Red Flags and Warning Signs

While many causes of headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and stomach pain can be managed at home, certain symptoms should prompt immediate medical evaluation. Understanding these red flags can help ensure timely treatment and prevent potential complications.

Warning Signs Requiring Immediate Medical Attention

• Sudden, severe headache or “thunderclap” headache
• Headache accompanied by fever, stiff neck, or rash
• Persistent vomiting or inability to keep fluids down
• Signs of severe dehydration
• Severe abdominal pain, especially if accompanied by fever
• Dizziness with loss of consciousness or fainting
• Sudden vision changes or difficulty speaking
• Chest pain or difficulty breathing

Is it always necessary to visit the emergency room for these symptoms? While these symptoms warrant prompt medical evaluation, not all require a trip to the emergency room. In non-emergency situations, contacting your primary care physician or an urgent care center may be appropriate. However, for severe or rapidly worsening symptoms, emergency medical services should be contacted immediately.

Diagnostic Approaches: Unraveling the Cause of Multiple Symptoms

When presented with a combination of symptoms like headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and stomach pain, healthcare providers employ a systematic approach to diagnosis. This process often involves a combination of patient history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests.

Common Diagnostic Tools and Techniques

• Detailed medical history and symptom review
• Physical examination, including vital signs
• Blood tests to check for infections, inflammation, or other abnormalities
• Imaging studies such as CT scans or MRIs, particularly for severe headaches
• Stool tests in cases of suspected gastrointestinal infections
• Neurological examinations for cases involving dizziness or severe headaches

How do doctors determine which tests to perform? The choice of diagnostic tests depends on the specific symptoms, their severity, and the suspected underlying causes. A thorough patient history often guides the initial diagnostic approach.

Treatment Strategies: Addressing Multiple Symptoms Holistically

Treatment for headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and stomach pain often requires a multi-faceted approach. The specific treatment plan depends on the underlying cause but may include a combination of medication, lifestyle changes, and supportive care.

Common Treatment Approaches

• Medications for symptom relief (e.g., pain relievers, anti-nausea drugs)
• Hydration therapy, especially in cases of dehydration
• Rest and stress reduction techniques
• Dietary modifications, particularly for gastrointestinal symptoms
• Specific treatments for underlying conditions (e.g., migraine prophylaxis, antiviral medications for flu)

Can lifestyle changes help manage these symptoms? In many cases, lifestyle modifications play a crucial role in symptom management. These may include maintaining a regular sleep schedule, staying hydrated, managing stress, and identifying and avoiding triggers for conditions like migraines.

Prevention Strategies: Minimizing the Risk of Symptom Recurrence

While not all instances of headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and stomach pain can be prevented, certain strategies can help reduce their frequency and severity. Prevention often involves a combination of healthy lifestyle habits and awareness of personal triggers.

Key Prevention Strategies

• Maintaining proper hygiene to prevent infections
• Staying hydrated and eating a balanced diet
• Getting regular exercise and adequate sleep
• Managing stress through relaxation techniques or counseling
• Identifying and avoiding personal triggers for conditions like migraines
• Keeping up with recommended vaccinations

How effective are these prevention strategies? While no prevention method is foolproof, consistently practicing these strategies can significantly reduce the risk of experiencing multiple symptoms. However, it’s important to remember that some conditions, such as pregnancy-related symptoms or chronic illnesses, may require ongoing management rather than prevention.

The Role of Mental Health in Physical Symptoms

The connection between mental health and physical symptoms is increasingly recognized in medical practice. Conditions such as anxiety and depression can manifest with physical symptoms, including headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and stomach pain.

Mental Health Conditions and Physical Symptoms

• Anxiety disorders often present with physical symptoms like headaches and stomach pain
• Depression can cause fatigue, changes in appetite, and physical discomfort
• Stress can exacerbate existing physical conditions or trigger new symptoms
• Panic attacks may include symptoms like dizziness, nausea, and chest pain

How can mental health be addressed alongside physical symptoms? A holistic approach that considers both physical and mental health is often most effective. This may involve a combination of medical treatment for physical symptoms and psychological support through therapy or counseling.

The Importance of Patient Education and Self-Advocacy

Navigating the healthcare system with multiple symptoms can be challenging. Patient education and self-advocacy play crucial roles in ensuring accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. Understanding one’s symptoms and being able to communicate them clearly to healthcare providers can significantly improve health outcomes.

Tips for Effective Communication with Healthcare Providers

• Keep a symptom diary noting the frequency, duration, and intensity of symptoms
• Prepare a list of questions before medical appointments
• Be honest and thorough when describing symptoms and their impact on daily life
• Don’t hesitate to ask for clarification on diagnoses or treatment plans
• Inform healthcare providers of all medications and supplements being taken

How can patients become more active participants in their healthcare? Educating oneself about potential causes of symptoms, staying informed about one’s health conditions, and actively participating in treatment decisions are key steps. Additionally, seeking second opinions when necessary and utilizing patient support groups can provide valuable perspectives and resources.

Emerging Research and Future Directions

The field of medicine is constantly evolving, with new research shedding light on the complex interactions between different symptoms and underlying causes. Ongoing studies are exploring novel diagnostic techniques and treatment approaches for conditions that cause multiple symptoms.

Areas of Current Research

• Genetic factors influencing symptom presentation and treatment response
• Advanced imaging techniques for more accurate diagnosis of neurological conditions
• The role of the gut-brain axis in conditions causing both gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms
• Personalized medicine approaches for tailoring treatments to individual patients
• The long-term effects of COVID-19 and its impact on multiple organ systems

What does the future hold for managing complex symptom presentations? As research progresses, we can expect more precise diagnostic tools, targeted treatments, and a deeper understanding of the interconnections between different symptoms and body systems. This evolving knowledge will likely lead to more effective and personalized approaches to managing conditions that cause headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and stomach pain.

Headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and stomach pain: Cause

Many illnesses can cause a headache, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, and stomach pain. It is difficult to narrow down the specific condition a person may have, based on symptoms alone.

The symptoms may also be interlinked. For example, a person may experience a headache and dizziness as symptoms of changes in their head. They may experience stomach pain as a result of nausea. Fatigue may result if a person is tired due to pain.

This article will explain some possible causes of headaches, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and stomach pain, including gastroenteritis, migraine, and COVID-19. It will also advise when a person should contact a doctor or healthcare professional for each possible cause.

There are many possible causes for these symptoms, including those below. If someone experiences the symptoms, it is essential to contact their doctor and avoid self-diagnosing. This way, they can obtain the most accurate diagnosis and receive appropriate treatment.

Gastroenteritis results from inflammation of the stomach and intestines. Different conditions can cause gastroenteritis, including viruses such as norovirus and bacterial infections such as Salmonella. Some people refer to viral gastroenteritis as stomach flu.

Symptoms

A person with gastroenteritis may experience:

• vomiting
• watery diarrhea
• headache
• fever
• muscle cramps
• stomach cramps

Headaches can be a symptom of dehydration resulting from the gastroenteritis infection itself. They may also occur due to muscle stiffness from vomiting or having to stay in bed for long periods.

Dizziness may occur because of lost fluids from diarrhea or vomiting.

Learn what a person with stomach flu should eat here.

When to contact a doctor

Most cases of gastroenteritis are viral and go away on their own.

However, if a person shows signs of dehydration or the illness becomes severe, they should contact a doctor or healthcare professional. Symptoms of dehydration or severe gastroenteritis may include:

• irritability
• diarrhea for more than 2 days
• high fever
• six or more bouts of diarrhea a day
• severe pain in the stomach or rectum
• black or bloody stools
• stools with pus
• sunken eyes
• extreme thirst
• dark urine

Treatment of gastroenteritis may involve antibiotics, especially if a person is a young child, an older adult, or pregnant.

Learn more about signs of dehydration here.

Sometimes people experience headaches, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and stomach pain during pregnancy. Some people may experience these symptoms early on in pregnancy as pregnancy hormone levels rise. However, symptoms can occur at any time during pregnancy.

Symptoms

A 2021 review confirms that a person who is pregnant may experience:

• headaches
• vomiting or nausea
• stomach pain
• pelvic pain
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• low blood pressure
• high heart rate
• changes in vaginal discharge or urine

When to contact a doctor

These symptoms are usually normal during pregnancy. However, it is important to tell a doctor about all symptoms and to ask about treatment options for those that disrupt daily life.

If a person experiences severe dizziness, a headache so intense it is unbearable, or they cannot keep any food down, they should seek care right away.

Some people find relief from pregnancy symptoms by avoiding certain foods, drinking more water, or resting.

Learn more about what to expect during pregnancy here.

Migraine is a chronic condition. Most people who have migraine experience it often during their life.

Symptoms

A migraine headache is a type of neurological headache that causes:

• intense head pain
• nausea
• changes in mood
• dizziness

Some people also experience unusual sensations, such as strange lights or sounds.

When to contact a doctor

Migraine is not dangerous. However, if a person experiences the following symptoms alongside a migraine headache, they should contact their doctor:

• fever
• chills
• unexplained weight loss
• night sweats
• sudden severe pain
• facial tingling
• vision changes
• persistent pain in the same place in the head
• changes in the headache pain when:
  • changing position
  • sneezing, coughing, or straining

Identifying migraine triggers can help a person avoid headaches. A doctor can also prescribe a wide range of medications, including medicines that can either prevent or treat migraines.

Read more on when to worry about a headache here.

The cold and the flu are both common respiratory illnesses, but they differ based on which virus has caused them. The flu could lead to more serious health complications, such as pneumonia.

Symptoms

People with the cold or influenza virus may develop the following symptoms:

• headaches
• stomach pain
• dizziness
• fever or chills
• fatigue
• chest pain
• sneezing or coughing
• sore throat

Symptoms of the flu tend to be more severe, last longer, and may come on suddenly.

When to contact a doctor

Both the cold and flu are viruses that usually go away on their own.

However, a person should contact a doctor if they experience:

• difficulty breathing
• ongoing chest or stomach pain or pressure
• ongoing dizziness or confusion
• seizures
• severe muscle pain
• extreme weakness
• fever or cough that goes away and comes back or worsens

A doctor can also prescribe a drug to make the flu less severe if a person seeks treatment early. A person should drink plenty of fluids, rest, and stay home to avoid spreading the virus.

Learn how to treat a cold or flu at home here.

The novel coronavirus causes COVID-19, which is a respiratory illness. Symptoms can be severe, moderate, or a person may not notice them at all.

Symptoms

A person experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 may notice:

• fever or chills
• coughing
• shortness of breath
• muscle and body aches
• stuffy nose
• headache
• diarrhea
• nausea or vomiting
• loss of taste or smell

Learn to tell the difference between COVID-19, cold, and flu symptoms here.

When to contact a doctor

A person should seek emergency medical care if they experience the following symptoms:

• difficulty breathing
• chest pain or pressure that does not go away
• new confusion
• difficulty staying awake or waking up
• pale, blue, or gray hues to their skin

People with concussion may have recently had a blow to the head, such as from a fall or car wreck.

Symptoms

A head injury can cause a headache, as well as neurological symptoms such as:

• dizziness
• vomiting
• nausea
• confusion

Learn about the symptoms of concussion here.

When to contact a doctor

Treatment depends on the severity of the injury. However, it can require a doctor to hospitalize and observe the person.

Depending on the nature of the head injury, a person might need ongoing support or rehabilitation such as occupational therapy.

A stroke happens when blood flow to the brain becomes blocked, usually because of a blood clot.

Symptoms

The symptoms of a stroke vary from person to person and may change based on which area of the brain a stroke affects. Some people experience nausea, dizziness, or vomiting.

The most common symptoms of a stroke include:

• not being able to raise both arms to the same level
• one side of the face drooping, especially when a person smiles
• severe headache
• changes in speech, especially not being able to repeat words

When to contact a doctor

A person should go to the emergency room or call 911 immediately if they notice these symptoms in themselves or someone else. Delaying care can result in death.

There is no safe home treatment for a stroke. A doctor may perform surgery, admit a person to the hospital, or recommend long-term care, such as physical or speech therapy.

Because the brain controls much of what the body does, neurological conditions can cause symptoms such as nausea and dizziness, as well as a headache. Although rare, the appearance of these symptoms together may signal another neurological condition, such as a brain tumor.

Only a doctor can properly diagnose a neurological condition, so it is important to see a neurologist for any unexplained symptoms that do not go away with home treatment. The treatment for these symptoms will vary depending on the underlying cause.

Learn about different types of headache here.

Headaches can be scary, and nausea can make even basic daily functions difficult.

If a person experiences these symptoms alongside dizziness, stomach pain, and fatigue, they may feel concerned. However, in many cases, symptoms go away on their own or happen because of a minor illness, not because of a major health crisis.

There are many possible causes of these symptoms, in addition to the conditions above. A person should discuss their symptoms and history with a doctor to obtain a proper diagnosis.

It is important to contact a doctor as soon as possible if these symptoms do not clear up on their own or worsen, or if there are additional symptoms.

Headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and stomach pain: Cause

Many illnesses can cause a headache, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, and stomach pain. It is difficult to narrow down the specific condition a person may have, based on symptoms alone.

The symptoms may also be interlinked. For example, a person may experience a headache and dizziness as symptoms of changes in their head. They may experience stomach pain as a result of nausea. Fatigue may result if a person is tired due to pain.

This article will explain some possible causes of headaches, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and stomach pain, including gastroenteritis, migraine, and COVID-19. It will also advise when a person should contact a doctor or healthcare professional for each possible cause.

There are many possible causes for these symptoms, including those below. If someone experiences the symptoms, it is essential to contact their doctor and avoid self-diagnosing. This way, they can obtain the most accurate diagnosis and receive appropriate treatment.

Gastroenteritis results from inflammation of the stomach and intestines. Different conditions can cause gastroenteritis, including viruses such as norovirus and bacterial infections such as Salmonella. Some people refer to viral gastroenteritis as stomach flu.

Symptoms

A person with gastroenteritis may experience:

• vomiting
• watery diarrhea
• headache
• fever
• muscle cramps
• stomach cramps

Headaches can be a symptom of dehydration resulting from the gastroenteritis infection itself. They may also occur due to muscle stiffness from vomiting or having to stay in bed for long periods.

Dizziness may occur because of lost fluids from diarrhea or vomiting.

Learn what a person with stomach flu should eat here.

When to contact a doctor

Most cases of gastroenteritis are viral and go away on their own.

However, if a person shows signs of dehydration or the illness becomes severe, they should contact a doctor or healthcare professional. Symptoms of dehydration or severe gastroenteritis may include:

• irritability
• diarrhea for more than 2 days
• high fever
• six or more bouts of diarrhea a day
• severe pain in the stomach or rectum
• black or bloody stools
• stools with pus
• sunken eyes
• extreme thirst
• dark urine

Treatment of gastroenteritis may involve antibiotics, especially if a person is a young child, an older adult, or pregnant.

Learn more about signs of dehydration here.

Sometimes people experience headaches, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and stomach pain during pregnancy. Some people may experience these symptoms early on in pregnancy as pregnancy hormone levels rise. However, symptoms can occur at any time during pregnancy.

Symptoms

A 2021 review confirms that a person who is pregnant may experience:

• headaches
• vomiting or nausea
• stomach pain
• pelvic pain
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• low blood pressure
• high heart rate
• changes in vaginal discharge or urine

When to contact a doctor

These symptoms are usually normal during pregnancy. However, it is important to tell a doctor about all symptoms and to ask about treatment options for those that disrupt daily life.

If a person experiences severe dizziness, a headache so intense it is unbearable, or they cannot keep any food down, they should seek care right away.

Some people find relief from pregnancy symptoms by avoiding certain foods, drinking more water, or resting.

Learn more about what to expect during pregnancy here.

Migraine is a chronic condition. Most people who have migraine experience it often during their life.

Symptoms

A migraine headache is a type of neurological headache that causes:

• intense head pain
• nausea
• changes in mood
• dizziness

Some people also experience unusual sensations, such as strange lights or sounds.

When to contact a doctor

Migraine is not dangerous. However, if a person experiences the following symptoms alongside a migraine headache, they should contact their doctor:

• fever
• chills
• unexplained weight loss
• night sweats
• sudden severe pain
• facial tingling
• vision changes
• persistent pain in the same place in the head
• changes in the headache pain when:
  • changing position
  • sneezing, coughing, or straining

Identifying migraine triggers can help a person avoid headaches. A doctor can also prescribe a wide range of medications, including medicines that can either prevent or treat migraines.

Read more on when to worry about a headache here.

The cold and the flu are both common respiratory illnesses, but they differ based on which virus has caused them. The flu could lead to more serious health complications, such as pneumonia.

Symptoms

People with the cold or influenza virus may develop the following symptoms:

• headaches
• stomach pain
• dizziness
• fever or chills
• fatigue
• chest pain
• sneezing or coughing
• sore throat

Symptoms of the flu tend to be more severe, last longer, and may come on suddenly.

When to contact a doctor

Both the cold and flu are viruses that usually go away on their own.

However, a person should contact a doctor if they experience:

• difficulty breathing
• ongoing chest or stomach pain or pressure
• ongoing dizziness or confusion
• seizures
• severe muscle pain
• extreme weakness
• fever or cough that goes away and comes back or worsens

A doctor can also prescribe a drug to make the flu less severe if a person seeks treatment early. A person should drink plenty of fluids, rest, and stay home to avoid spreading the virus.

Learn how to treat a cold or flu at home here.

The novel coronavirus causes COVID-19, which is a respiratory illness. Symptoms can be severe, moderate, or a person may not notice them at all.

Symptoms

A person experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 may notice:

• fever or chills
• coughing
• shortness of breath
• muscle and body aches
• stuffy nose
• headache
• diarrhea
• nausea or vomiting
• loss of taste or smell

Learn to tell the difference between COVID-19, cold, and flu symptoms here.

When to contact a doctor

A person should seek emergency medical care if they experience the following symptoms:

• difficulty breathing
• chest pain or pressure that does not go away
• new confusion
• difficulty staying awake or waking up
• pale, blue, or gray hues to their skin

People with concussion may have recently had a blow to the head, such as from a fall or car wreck.

Symptoms

A head injury can cause a headache, as well as neurological symptoms such as:

• dizziness
• vomiting
• nausea
• confusion

Learn about the symptoms of concussion here.

When to contact a doctor

Treatment depends on the severity of the injury. However, it can require a doctor to hospitalize and observe the person.

Depending on the nature of the head injury, a person might need ongoing support or rehabilitation such as occupational therapy.

A stroke happens when blood flow to the brain becomes blocked, usually because of a blood clot.

Symptoms

The symptoms of a stroke vary from person to person and may change based on which area of the brain a stroke affects. Some people experience nausea, dizziness, or vomiting.

The most common symptoms of a stroke include:

• not being able to raise both arms to the same level
• one side of the face drooping, especially when a person smiles
• severe headache
• changes in speech, especially not being able to repeat words

When to contact a doctor

A person should go to the emergency room or call 911 immediately if they notice these symptoms in themselves or someone else. Delaying care can result in death.

There is no safe home treatment for a stroke. A doctor may perform surgery, admit a person to the hospital, or recommend long-term care, such as physical or speech therapy.

Because the brain controls much of what the body does, neurological conditions can cause symptoms such as nausea and dizziness, as well as a headache. Although rare, the appearance of these symptoms together may signal another neurological condition, such as a brain tumor.

Only a doctor can properly diagnose a neurological condition, so it is important to see a neurologist for any unexplained symptoms that do not go away with home treatment. The treatment for these symptoms will vary depending on the underlying cause.

Learn about different types of headache here.

Headaches can be scary, and nausea can make even basic daily functions difficult.

If a person experiences these symptoms alongside dizziness, stomach pain, and fatigue, they may feel concerned. However, in many cases, symptoms go away on their own or happen because of a minor illness, not because of a major health crisis.

There are many possible causes of these symptoms, in addition to the conditions above. A person should discuss their symptoms and history with a doctor to obtain a proper diagnosis.

It is important to contact a doctor as soon as possible if these symptoms do not clear up on their own or worsen, or if there are additional symptoms.

Child and headache – Tartu Ülikooli Kliinikum

Headache is one of the most common reasons children and adolescents seek medical attention. Headache can occur in half of the children. Headache symptoms depend on the age of the child and the type of headache. Headache can be an independent problem, without an accompanying illness. In this case, it is called primary headache (eg migraine, tension headache). Headaches that occur against the background of other diseases (most often with infectious diseases) are called second headaches . Most headaches are primary. Very rarely, a headache is caused by a brain tumor or a serious infectious disease (meningitis).

Tension headache (TH ) is characterized by a mild to moderate pressing bilateral headache. Daily physical activity does not make the pain worse. In a chronic course, a child may be accompanied by nausea, fatigue, light or sound sensitivity. GVN usually does not cause vomiting and does not interfere with the child’s daily activities.

Migraine symptoms may vary depending on the age of the child. Typical migraine pain lasts 4-72 hours, is localized on one side of the head, is throbbing, moderate to severe, and worsens with exercise. Headache is accompanied by at least one symptom: nausea and/or vomiting, photophobia or sound sensitivity. With a migraine, before the pain, you can experience an aura – temporary disturbances in vision, sensation, or speech that do not last more than 1 hour. The aura can manifest itself in different ways: flickering light, dots, lines, partial narrowing of the field of vision, the so-called tingling sensation or numbness on one side of the head or body, speech disorders. The duration of a migraine attack in children may be less than one hour. Often feel pain on both sides, in the forehead and temples. Young children are not able to describe their symptoms as well as adults. Therefore, it is important to monitor the behavior of the child: do they want to be in the dark, do they avoid loud voices, etc.

D tinny pain associated with infectious diseases manifests itself along with other symptoms of the disease. When the disease begins to pass, the headache also decreases. Headache can accompany inflammation of the ear, runny nose, flu, dental disease and sore throat.

Indication for any emergency medical attention:

• Headache accompanied by nausea-vomiting, neck stiffness, double vision or other changes in vision, confusion, disturbances in balance, swallowing, weakness of arms or legs, seizure or fever 38 degrees or higher.
• Headache that occurs after a head injury and is accompanied by nausea, repeated vomiting, impaired consciousness, or some other disturbing symptom.
• Sudden severe headache.

You should contact your family doctor in the following cases

• Increased and more frequent pain in a short time (days, weeks).
• Constant localizing pain in the same place.
• Headache depends on position (lying down) and time (pain at night, waking up in the morning).
• Headache in a child under 3 years of age. Causes of primary headache related to sleep
• Forced position
• Stress
• Smoking
• Long-term viewing of the monitor, TV
• Hormonal causes (menstruation)
• Certain foods and drinks (alcohol, chocolate, cheeses, fatty foods, nuts, sweeteners, etc.)
• Bright lights, strong smells and sounds
• Medicines where headache is a side effect relief of primary headache

  In prevention methods, the most important thing is to consistently develop an age-appropriate daily, food and sleep regimen. You also need to avoid forced positions and be physically active daily. In most cases, with tension-type headache (THU), the above listed primary measures are sufficient.

  Headache can be relieved by lying down in a dark and cool room, and the child can put something cool on the eyes or on the forehead, do relaxation exercises. With migraines, children may want to sleep and feel better when they wake up. It is important to start drug treatment at the time of the onset of headache, the dose of the drug should be appropriate for the age and weight of the child. For the initial choice of drugs, ibuprofen or paracetamol is suitable.

  Headache diary and observation of the child

  To find out the causes and types of headaches, it is necessary to keep a diary. Write down all the activities that you performed, foods, drinks that the child consumed before the onset of the headache. Also monitor how the child behaves with a headache and how it interferes with the child’s daily activities. Take your diary with you to your doctor’s appointment.

  Headache diary

  • The nature of the pain. Intensity (light, moderate, strong). Pulsating. Aching / pressing. Unilateral. Double-sided. In the back of the head. Duration
  • Related features. Nausea. Vomit. Photophobia. Sound phobia. Physical intolerance. Visual disturbances. Speech disorders. Sensitivity disorders. Other signs. Provoking factor
  • Treatment. The name of the medicine. Dose of medicine. Action

  Watching the child

  • What does the child do when his head hurts?
  • Is it noticeable externally when a child has a headache?
  • Should a child stop acting because of a headache?
  • Are there problems with friends and family because of the headache?
  • Does the child suffer from headaches in free time?
  • Does headache interfere with schoolwork?
  • Was the child absent from school because of a headache?
  • Does the child feel tired because of the headache?
  • Was there anything left unfinished at home because of a headache?
  • Have visits or celebrations been canceled because of a headache?

  Compiled by: Children’s Clinic Head Nurse Eveline Evert
  Consultant Dr. Ulvi Vaher
  2018 901 36

  Headache, gastritis and immunodeficiency

  Headache, gastritis and immunodeficiency… You might be surprised by this combination of diseases, but they have more in common than you might think.

  Whatever they write on the Internet about the causes of headaches: and increased intracranial pressure, and cervical osteochondrosis, and brain tumors, and problems with blood vessels, and even intolerance to cheeses or nitrates. In fact, these are probably the rarest causes of its occurrence.

  The accumulation of excess fluid around the brain is a potentially dangerous condition, and it occurs in no more than 0.01% of people. Pain with increased intracranial pressure is daily and intensifies when lying down, this does not creep up suddenly, and you don’t need to think about it with periodic discomfort.

  Hernias and protrusions of the spine cause pain only in 4% of cases, and even if you have them, this is not a reason to blame them for the pain. It has been unambiguously proven that people with and without them have headaches equally often.

  The notorious osteochondrosis is not even a disease, but a manifestation of the natural withering of the body, and over time (by the age of forty) appears in everyone. But not all the older half of the people in the world suffer from this.

  Brain tumors do not hurt, except in the last stages, when they start to put pressure on something. But at this point, many other symptoms will appear (impaired perception, gait, speech), so you should not think about cancer with a headache at all, unless you are an elderly person who has suddenly and greatly lost weight.

  The only thing that can be said about vascular disorders is that the obstruction of the blood supply to the brain does not lead to pain, at most to fainting and a decrease in mental abilities. The only exception is a hemorrhagic stroke (including from an aneurysm rupture), but here it’s not a headache that will alert you, but a lack of coordination of movements and slurred speech.

  It has recently become fashionable to attribute headaches to food intolerances as the cause. The list of possible provocateurs includes all the most delicious things: from cheese and fruits to olives and bacon. Of course, there are individual food allergic reactions, but then the cause is still the gastritis itself, and not the allergy itself.

  Now we come to the more common, though less “obvious” causes of headaches, which include gastritis, dehydration, infections, eye strain, and emotional stress.

  Gastritis
  With gastritis, 27% of people, even without complaints about the stomach, experience a headache, especially if they forget to eat on time. Sometimes a headache is the only symptom that points to an ulcer. When digestion is disturbed, the stomach starts a mechanism aimed at finding food. Signals amplified by inflammation “overstrain” the brain, and the head begins to hurt. By the way, hunger itself (low blood sugar) can cause a headache by the same mechanism. The paradox is that an increased level of sugar can create similar inconveniences for a person due to an increase in adrenaline and norepinephrine after a hearty meal. In general, eat in moderation.

  What does a person with a headache do? He takes painkillers, which, by an unfortunate coincidence, themselves cause gastritis. Paracetamol, analgin, ibuprofen, celecoxib, ketanol, diclofenac, nimesulide – they all irritate the gastric mucosa and increase acid production, although ibuprofen is the most relatively safe in this matter. And here you can meet another paradox: taking painkillers can cause pain in the head (this is in the instructions). This happens because this is how the vicious circle of “headache – painkiller – gastritis – headache” closes.

  Dehydration
  Who does not drink coffee at work, he drinks tea. And he does it right. Coffee is a diuretic drink, but we perceive it as a consumed liquid and do not notice creeping dehydration. Although it would be worth considering why in many cafes, along with espresso, they immediately bring you a glass of water. The same goes for beer, about the need for a restroom after which everyone knows. In addition, most of the working population snacks on something fatty (sandwiches with cheese or sausage, nuts, chocolate), and more water is required to break down fats. And it’s not even about the sensational “need for 2 liters a day” – it is actually different not only for different people, but also for the same person on different days. The point is the ratio of consumed and wasted moisture. When breathing and sweating in a dry climate (as in our apartments during the heating season), more water is required than on a cool summer evening on the seashore. It is curious that you always want to drink after taking a shower, where everything seems to be in order with humidity. It’s just that in hot water we still sweat a lot, but the sweat is immediately washed off and does not help the body to cool down; the body tries to produce more and more sweat, losing more and more moisture, leading to dehydration and post-bath headaches.

  Infections
  If it hurts from behind, everyone will suspect the neck, and if it hurts from the front, it is logical to think about the nose. More precisely, the sinuses of the nose are frontal (in the forehead), maxillary (under the eyes) and ethmoid (in depth behind the nose). When the mucous membrane of the sinuses swells, the outflow from them deteriorates, and this is felt as a bursting pain in the head. In this case, a runny nose may not be at all, as well as other manifestations of a cold. Similarly, an ear infection begins – only a headache, although hearing loss or congestion, as in an airplane, with swelling of the Eustachian tube, may join. But it’s not just about swelling of the sinuses or ear canals. An infection that has settled in a chronic way in your nose or anywhere else is bacteria and viruses, the particles of which are toxins for us. As a result, any chronic infectious disease is a source of constant intoxication, and it makes your head hurt.

  Eye strain
  Since childhood, mothers have been telling all of us: “Do not sit in front of the screen for a long time, you will plant your eyesight. ” And then, at work, most people got monitors that you just need to look at for a long time. Eye strain has become invisible due to the daily use of smartphones, tablets and laptops. It is difficult for the brain to imagine that something permanent can be harmful (as with the atmospheric air that we breathe, usually without thinking about the exhaust gases in it). And the constant load on the eye muscles without refocusing leads to eye pain, which we can perceive as a headache. Of course, in the process of peering into the depths of the screen, we do not notice the overstrain of the neck muscles, but true neck pain occurs in only 1% of cases and it is associated with subluxation of the vertebra, and this is a completely different story.

  Surprisingly, not all people with poor eyesight are aware of their inferiority, and not everyone starts wearing glasses in time. The principle of a headache with uncorrected myopia or suddenly creeping farsightedness is the same: overstrain of the eye muscles. You should also visit an ophthalmologist to rule out glaucoma, a disease with increased intraocular pressure, which also makes you reach for painkillers.

  Emotional stress
  “I already have a headache from this whole situation” is a typical expression. Yes, stress is the favorite cause of headaches, tension pains. The mechanisms of chronic headache in anxiety-depressive disorder, which manifests itself to one degree or another in half of the people in the Western world, have long been described. (Where to go, retribution for the race of progress with its frantic pace of life, constant lack of sleep, scandalous bosses and deadlines). In short, stress is excess arousal running around in a circle in a certain area of ​​the brain. This zone is constantly active and cannot “rest”, neurons do not have time to get rid of decay products and send a signal for help in the form of pain and anxiety. If stress becomes chronic, then the receptors on nerve cells are rearranged, as a result of which the exchange of neurotransmitters is disrupted and depression develops. And one of the masks of depression (a link to my “why it hurts”) is just a headache.

  A separate discussion about migraine, a severe unilateral throbbing headache accompanied by nausea, intolerance to bright light and strong odors, preceded by a migraine aura (repetitive unusual visual effects). Migraine attacks turn off performance, and should be treated by a neurologist without any self-medication.

  What NOT to do for headaches (unless, of course, a neurologist referred you):

  • MRI of the brain – completely different symptoms indicate cancer, and not pain at all, so what should we look for there?
  • MRI of the neck – even if there are protrusions and hernias, this will not say anything about the cause of the pain and will not affect the treatment in any way.
  • Ultrasound of the vessels of the neck is not necessary if you do not faint. This study is prescribed by cardiologists to assess atherosclerosis, headache has nothing to do with it.
  • EEG is an old method, effective for detecting only epilepsy. Popular only because of its price, when you need to “assign something.”

  How to get examined if your head often bothers you:

  • Go to a neurologist: he is the “head of pain”, during the examination he will immediately (usually even without additional examinations) tell you about the causes of your illness and prescribe treatment.
  • See an ophthalmologist: Glaucoma and blurred vision are common causes of headaches. It will also eliminate the swelling of the fundus, and you will be sure that everything is in order with your intracranial pressure.
  • Make FGDS (gastroscopy): almost everyone has digestive problems, and, if cured in time, they will not create complications, including a headache.
  • Donate blood for clinical analysis, check immunity and do cultures from the intestines, from the tonsils and the reproductive system to exclude chronic infections.
  • Control of blood pressure: a cardiologist or therapist will help you do this, if necessary, directing you to daily monitoring of pressure.