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.

Headache – causes, examination and treatment | Symptoms

Cluster headache
Signs: Severe, piercing pain that affects one part of the head and is concentrated in the periocular region, usually lasts from 30 minutes to 1 hour, often occurs at the same time of day, occurs in clusters and is separated by intervals with a complete absence of headache, usually not aggravated by exposure to light, sounds or smells and is not accompanied by vomiting. Inability to lie down and restlessness. On the part of the manifestation of pain: runny nose, lacrimation, drooping eyelid (Bernard-Horner syndrome) and sometimes swelling under the eye.

Migraine headache
Signs: Moderate to severe headache, usually throbbing, unilateral and bilateral, lasting from several hours to several days, may be caused by lack of sleep, head trauma, hunger, or consumption of certain wines and foods, may be aggravated by physical activity and relieved after sleep, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to loud noises, bright lights, and/or smells, including possible mood changes, loss of appetite, and nausea, sometimes preceded by temporary disturbances in sensation, balance, muscle coordination, speech, or vision (seeing flashes or blind spots ).

Tension headache
Signs: Usually mild to moderate headache that feels like a band of pressure on the head and begins in the front of the head or around the eyes, affects the entire head, lasts from 30 minutes to several days, may worsen at the end of the day, does not worsen with physical exertion, under the influence of light, sounds or smells, is not accompanied by nausea, vomiting or other symptoms.

Altitude sickness
Signs: Dizziness, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, weakness, irritability, or trouble sleeping. People who have recently climbed to high altitudes (including those who have been in an airplane for 6 hours or longer).

Brain tumor, abscess or other neoplasm in the brain
Signs: Mild to severe headache that may get progressively worse, usually comes on more frequently and eventually becomes permanent with no signs of relief, may cause blurred vision with a sudden change in body position, may be accompanied by clumsiness, weakness, disorientation, nausea, vomiting, seizures, or blurred vision.

Carbon monoxide exposure
Signs: Possible unawareness of exposure as carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless.

Dental infection (upper teeth)
Signs: Pain, which is usually felt in the facial region and is mainly one-sided, aggravated by chewing, toothache.

Encephalitis (brain infection)
Signs: Headaches with variable characteristics. Often accompanied by fever, increased drowsiness, confusion, agitation, weakness and/or poor coordination. Convulsive seizures and coma.

Giant cell (temporal) arteritis
Signs: Unilateral throbbing pain in the temporal part of the head. Pain when combing hair or while chewing. Sometimes enlarged arteries in the temples (temporal arteries) and aching and dull pain, especially in the shoulders, hips, and pelvis. Vision may be impaired or lost, and is more common in people over the age of 55.

Glaucoma (angle-closure glaucoma)
Signs: Moderate to severe pain that occurs in the front of the head or in the ocular or supraocular region. Redness of the eyes, iridescent circles around light sources, nausea, vomiting, and loss of vision.

Head injury (post-concussion syndrome)
Signs: Headache begins immediately or shortly after a head injury (with or without loss of consciousness). Sometimes memory lapses, personality changes, or both.

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (increased intracranial pressure)
Signs: Headaches that occur daily or almost daily with fluctuating intensity, affecting both sides of the head, sometimes double vision or blurred vision, nausea, or ringing in the ears in rhythm with the beats of the pulse (throbbing tinnitus).

Cerebral hemorrhage
Signs: Mild or severe pain that starts suddenly, occurs on one or both sides of the head, is often accompanied by nausea and sometimes vomiting. Possible severe drowsiness, clumsiness, weakness, difficulty speaking and understanding speech, loss of vision, loss of sensation or disorientation, occasionally seizures or coma.

Headache associated with low blood pressure (due to removal or leakage of cerebrospinal fluid)
Signs: Intense headaches, often accompanied by neck stiffness and nausea. Pain that gets worse when the person is sitting or standing and gets better when the person lies down. It usually occurs after a spinal tap (lumbar puncture) is performed.

Medicine overuse headache
Signs: Chronic and often daily headaches. Often with migraine or tension headaches

Meningitis
Signs: Severe, persistent headache. fever, stiff neck, in connection with which it is painful to lower the chin to the chest, sometimes it is impossible. Malaise, drowsiness, nausea or vomiting.

Sinusitis
Signs: Pain, which is sometimes felt in the face, front of the head, or like a toothache, may start suddenly and last for days or hours, or start gradually and become persistent. Runny nose, sometimes with pus or blood, malaise, cough at night, and often fever.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (bleeding between the inner and middle layer of tissue covering the brain)
Symptoms: Severe, persistent pain that starts suddenly and reaches its maximum intensity within a few seconds is often described as the worst headache ever experienced. There may be a brief loss of consciousness at the onset of the headache, and there may be drowsiness, confusion, difficulty waking up, or coma. Stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and back pain.

Subdural hematoma (accumulation of blood between the outer and middle layer of tissue covering the brain)
Signs: Headaches with variable characteristics. Drowsiness, confusion, forgetfulness, and/or weakness or paralysis on one side of the body may occur.

Diseases of the temporomandibular joint
Signs: Pain when chewing solid foods. Sometimes pain in the jaw or nearby area or in the neck, sometimes clicking or cracking when opening the mouth, blocking the position of the jaw, or difficulty opening the mouth wide.

HIV symptoms, infection and spread – Udmurt AIDS Center

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS. HIV attacks the immune system by destroying the white blood cells that help the body fight infection and disease. Testing is the only sure way to tell if you have HIV. The following are symptoms that may serve as a warning that you have an infection.

Method 1 of 3: Identify early symptoms

1

Determine if you are feeling extremely tired for no apparent reason. Fatigue can be a sign of a wide variety of illnesses, and it also appears as a symptom in HIV-infected people. This symptom should not cause you more concern if it is the only one you feel, but it is worth thinking about in the future.

• – Extreme fatigue is not the feeling when you just want to sleep. Do you feel tired all the time, and even after a good night’s sleep. Do you lie down during the day, more often than usual, and avoid strenuous activity because you feel low on energy. This type of fatigue is cause for concern.
• – If this symptom persists for more than a few weeks or months, testing should be done to rule out HIV.

2

Watch for fever or excessive night sweats. These symptoms often occur in the early stages of HIV, during the so-called primary or acute stage of HIV infection. Again, many people don’t have these symptoms, but those who did usually felt them 2-4 weeks after contracting HIV.

• – Fever and sweating are symptoms of the flu and the common cold. If it is a cold season or a flu epidemic, you may have contracted these diseases.
• – Chills, sore muscles, sore throat and headache are also symptoms of flu and colds, but may also be signs of early HIV infection.

3

Check for swollen tonsils in the throat, as well as the lymph nodes in the armpits and in the groin. Lymph nodes swell as a result of infection. It doesn’t happen to everyone who has early HIV, but among those who do, these are the most common.

• – In HIV infection Lymph nodes in the neck tend to swell more than those in the armpits and groin.
• – Lymph nodes can swell as a result of other types of infections, such as colds and flu, so further testing is needed to make a diagnosis.

4

Watch out for nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. These symptoms can also be a sign of early HIV infection. Check if such symptoms persist for a long time.

5

Note mouth and genital sores. If mouth sores occur along with other symptoms already mentioned, and especially if you have not usually had such sores before, then this may be an early sign of HIV infection. Ulcers on the genitals are also a sign that HIV infection was possible.

Method 2 of 3: Determination of progressive symptoms

1

Do not exclude dry cough. This symptom occurs in the late stages of HIV, sometimes even for many years after infection, when the virus was latent in the body. Such a seemingly innocuous symptom is easy to miss at first, especially if it occurs during the allergenic or flu season or during the cold season. If you have a dry cough that you can’t get rid of with antihistamines or an inhaler, it could be a sign of HIV.

2

Look for unusual spots (red, brown, pink or purple) on the skin. People in advanced stages of HIV often develop skin rashes, especially on the face and torso. The rash may be inside the mouth or nose. This is a sign that HIV is turning into AIDS.

• – Flaky, red skin is also a sign of advanced HIV. Spots can be in the form of boils and bumps.
• – A rash on the body is usually not accompanied by a cold and fever. Accordingly, if you alternately experience such symptoms, consult a doctor immediately.

3

Look for pneumonia. Pneumonia often occurs in those whose immune system is weakened for various reasons. People with advanced HIV are more likely to get pneumonia when they come into contact with germs that don’t normally cause such a severe reaction.

4

Check for thrush especially in the mouth. Late stage HIV usually causes thrush in the mouth called stomatitis. It looks like white or other unusual patches on the tongue or inside the mouth. This is a warning sign that the immune system cannot fight infection effectively.

5

Examine your nails for fungus. Cracked or chipped, yellow or brown nails are a common sign of advanced HIV. Nails become more susceptible to fungi, which the body is normally able to fight off.

6

Determine if you are experiencing rapid weight loss for no known reason. In the early stages of HIV, this can be caused by severe diarrhea, in the later stages by “atrophy”, a strong reaction of the body to the presence of HIV in the body.

7

Watch out for memory loss, depression or other neurological problems. In the last stages, HIV affects the cognitive functions of the brain. These symptoms are serious in themselves and should be investigated in any case.

Method 3 of 3: HIV Data

1

Find out if you are at risk. There are several conditions that put you at risk of contracting HIV. If you have such situations, then you are at risk:

• – You have had unprotected anal, vaginal or oral sex.
• – You shared needles and syringes with other people.
• – You have been diagnosed with or treated for a sexually transmitted disease (STD), tuberculosis, or hepatitis.
• – You received a blood transfusion between 1978 and 1985, years before they started testing blood to prevent transfusion of contaminated blood.

2

Do not wait for symptoms to appear before testing. Many people with HIV do not know they have it. The virus can stay in the body for more than 10 years before symptoms appear. If you have reason to suspect that you have contracted HIV, do not refuse testing because you have no symptoms.

3

Take an HIV test. This is the most accurate method in determining HIV. Contact us at: Izhevsk, st.