What are the common causes of headaches accompanied by dizziness, tiredness, and nausea. How can these symptoms be treated effectively. What are the warning signs that require immediate medical attention.

Understanding Cervical Headaches: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Cervical headaches, also known as cervicogenic headaches, are a type of chronic headache that originates from structural issues in the cervical spine. These headaches can be particularly troublesome, often accompanied by neck pain, dizziness, and fatigue.

What causes cervical headaches?

Cervical headaches can be triggered by various factors, including:

• Injuries from accidents or surgeries
• Compression fractures
• Herniated discs
• Spinal cord inflammation
• Poor posture leading to neck strain

Recognizing the symptoms of cervical headaches

Identifying cervical headaches can be crucial for proper treatment. Common symptoms include:

• Persistent pain lasting for several days or intermittent discomfort
• Neck stiffness and limited range of motion
• Nausea
• Fatigue

How are cervical headaches diagnosed and treated?

Diagnosis typically involves a physical examination of the neck and spine, often complemented by medical imaging techniques. Treatment options vary depending on the underlying cause and may include:

1. Pain relievers to alleviate neck pain and headaches
2. Physiotherapy to improve neck function and mobility
3. Surgical interventions for severe cervical spine issues
4. Nerve blocks to target specific pain areas

Migraines: More Than Just a Headache

Migraines are a common yet often misunderstood condition that can cause severe throbbing headaches, typically affecting one side of the head. These debilitating headaches are frequently accompanied by other symptoms, making them a complex neurological disorder.

What triggers migraines?

While the exact cause of migraines remains elusive, several factors are believed to contribute to their onset:

• Changes in brain chemistry
• Alterations in brain nerves and blood vessels
• Genetic predisposition
• Environmental triggers such as stress, certain foods, or hormonal changes

Recognizing migraine symptoms beyond headaches

Migraines often present with a constellation of symptoms, including:

• Increased sensitivity to light and sound
• Dizziness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Visual disturbances (aura)

Effective migraine management strategies

While there is no cure for migraines, several treatment approaches can help manage symptoms:

1. Resting in a dark, quiet room during an attack
2. Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen
3. Prescription medications such as triptans
4. Antiemetics to combat nausea and vomiting
5. Preventive medications for frequent sufferers

Viral Gastroenteritis: When Stomach Bugs Cause More Than Just Digestive Issues

Viral gastroenteritis, commonly known as the stomach flu, is an inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract caused by viral infections. This condition can lead to a range of symptoms, including headaches and dizziness, in addition to its primary digestive manifestations.

What causes viral gastroenteritis?

The most common culprit behind viral gastroenteritis is the norovirus, although other viruses can also trigger the condition. These highly contagious viruses spread through contaminated food, water, or close contact with infected individuals.

Identifying the symptoms of viral gastroenteritis

Viral gastroenteritis presents with a variety of symptoms, including:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Stomach pain and cramps
• Diarrhea
• Headaches
• Body aches
• Fever

In severe cases, persistent vomiting and diarrhea can lead to dehydration, causing additional symptoms such as dizziness, dry mouth, and reduced urination.

How to manage viral gastroenteritis effectively?

While viral gastroenteritis typically resolves on its own, several measures can help manage symptoms and prevent complications:

1. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of clear fluids
2. Use over-the-counter medications like loperamide or bismuth subsalicylate to control diarrhea
3. Consume low-sugar fruit juices or sports drinks to replenish electrolytes
4. Rest and avoid solid foods until symptoms improve

If symptoms persist for more than a few days or worsen, it’s crucial to consult a healthcare professional.

Cerebral Aneurysms: When Headaches Signal a Potentially Serious Condition

A cerebral aneurysm is a bulge in a blood vessel within the brain, caused by a weakness in the vessel wall. While small aneurysms may not cause symptoms, larger ones can lead to various neurological issues, including headaches, dizziness, and fatigue.

What are the symptoms of a cerebral aneurysm?

Symptoms of a cerebral aneurysm can vary depending on its size and location. Common signs include:

• Pain above and behind the eye
• Visual changes
• Dilated pupil
• Facial paralysis on one side
• Numbness or weakness

When does a cerebral aneurysm become a medical emergency?

A leaking or ruptured aneurysm requires immediate medical attention. Warning signs include:

• Sudden, severe headache
• Blurred or double vision
• Light sensitivity
• Stiff neck
• Nausea and vomiting
• Seizures
• Loss of consciousness

How are cerebral aneurysms treated?

Treatment for cerebral aneurysms depends on their size, location, and risk of rupture. Options may include:

1. Monitoring for small, stable aneurysms
2. Surgical clipping to prevent blood flow to the aneurysm
3. Endovascular coiling to fill the aneurysm and prevent rupture
4. Flow diverters to redirect blood flow away from the aneurysm

Dehydration: An Overlooked Cause of Headaches and Dizziness

Dehydration, often underestimated, can be a significant contributor to headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. Understanding its causes, symptoms, and prevention strategies is crucial for maintaining overall health and well-being.

What causes dehydration?

Dehydration occurs when the body loses more fluids than it takes in. Common causes include:

• Insufficient fluid intake
• Excessive sweating due to heat or physical activity
• Diarrhea and vomiting
• Certain medications
• Medical conditions like diabetes

Recognizing the symptoms of dehydration

Dehydration can manifest in various ways, including:

• Thirst
• Dry mouth and lips
• Dark urine
• Headache
• Dizziness, especially when standing up
• Fatigue
• Decreased skin elasticity

How to prevent and treat dehydration?

Preventing dehydration is often simpler than treating it. Here are some effective strategies:

1. Drink water regularly throughout the day
2. Consume hydrating foods like fruits and vegetables
3. Monitor fluid intake during hot weather or physical activity
4. Use oral rehydration solutions for rapid electrolyte replacement
5. Seek medical attention for severe dehydration

Stress and Anxiety: Hidden Culprits Behind Headaches and Fatigue

Stress and anxiety are pervasive issues in modern life that can manifest physically, often leading to headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. Understanding the connection between mental health and these physical symptoms is crucial for effective management.

How do stress and anxiety contribute to headaches and fatigue?

Stress and anxiety can impact the body in several ways:

• Muscle tension, particularly in the neck and shoulders, leading to tension headaches
• Disrupted sleep patterns causing fatigue
• Altered blood flow and hormone levels potentially triggering migraines
• Hypervigilance and constant worry leading to mental exhaustion

Recognizing stress-induced symptoms

Stress and anxiety-related headaches and fatigue often present with additional symptoms:

• Irritability
• Difficulty concentrating
• Restlessness
• Changes in appetite
• Rapid heartbeat
• Sweating

Effective strategies for managing stress-related symptoms

Addressing stress and anxiety can significantly alleviate associated physical symptoms. Consider these approaches:

1. Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation
2. Engage in regular physical exercise
3. Maintain a consistent sleep schedule
4. Seek support through therapy or counseling
5. Consider stress-management classes or workshops

When to Seek Medical Attention for Headaches, Dizziness, and Fatigue

While occasional headaches, dizziness, and fatigue are common, certain situations warrant immediate medical attention. Recognizing these red flags can be crucial for early intervention and prevention of serious complications.

What are the warning signs that require immediate medical care?

Seek emergency medical attention if you experience:

• Sudden, severe headache often described as the “worst headache of your life”
• Headache accompanied by fever, stiff neck, and confusion
• Headache following a head injury
• Persistent or worsening dizziness, especially with loss of balance
• Sudden onset of double vision or other visual disturbances
• Headache with slurred speech or weakness on one side of the body

When should you consult a doctor for ongoing symptoms?

Consider scheduling an appointment with your healthcare provider if:

• You experience frequent or severe headaches that interfere with daily life
• Over-the-counter medications no longer provide relief
• Your headache pattern changes or worsens
• You develop persistent fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest
• Dizziness becomes a recurring issue affecting your quality of life

What to expect during a medical evaluation?

When seeking medical attention for headaches, dizziness, and fatigue, your healthcare provider may:

1. Take a detailed medical history, including symptom patterns and triggers
2. Perform a physical examination, including neurological tests
3. Order blood tests to check for underlying conditions or deficiencies
4. Recommend imaging studies such as CT scans or MRIs if necessary
5. Refer you to specialists like neurologists or ENT doctors for further evaluation

By understanding the various causes of headaches, dizziness, and fatigue, and knowing when to seek medical attention, individuals can take proactive steps towards managing their symptoms and improving their overall quality of life. Remember, while these symptoms are often benign, they can sometimes signal more serious underlying conditions. When in doubt, it’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and personalized treatment recommendations.

Headache, dizziness, fatigue, and neck pain: Causes and treatment

A headache, along with neck pain, dizziness, and fatigue, can be debilitating. Numerous conditions can cause these symptoms, including migraines, tumors, or even dehydration. Some are relatively benign, while others can be serious or life threatening.

This article explores the potential triggers of headaches with dizziness, fatigue, and neck pain, along with their treatment options. We also outline tips for preventing these symptoms and offer advice on when to see a doctor.

There can be several reasons for a headache with neck pain, dizziness, and fatigue.

Cervical headache

A cervical headache, or cervicogenic headache, is a type of long-term or chronic headache due to structural issues with parts of the cervical spine, including the vertebrae, disc, muscle, or spinal cord. The cervical spine is the section of the spine that includes the neck.

Cervical spine damage can occur due to:

• injury resulting from accidents or surgery
• compression fractures
• a herniated disk
• inflammation of the spinal cord
• general neck strain due to posture issues

A cervical headache may cause pain that persists for several days, or the discomfort can come and go. Other possible symptoms include:

• neck stiffness
• nausea
• fatigue
• limited neck movement

Treatment

A doctor can usually diagnose cervical headaches by examining the neck and assessing the spine using medical imaging techniques.

The treatment will depend on the underlying cause, with options that include:

• pain relievers to ease neck pain and headaches
• physiotherapy to restore function and improve neck movement
• surgery to correct issues with the cervical spine
• nerve blocks to treat specific areas of pain

Migraine

A migraine is a moderate or severe throbbing headache that occurs on one side of the head. They may also cause additional symptoms, such as:

• increased sensitivity to light or sounds
• dizziness
• nausea
• vomiting

The exact cause of migraines remains unknown. However, experts believe that the following factors may play a role:

• changes in brain chemicals
• changes to the nerves and blood vessels inside the brain
• genetic factors

Some people report that certain factors can trigger their migraines, which commonly include:

• menstruation
• stress
• tiredness
• certain foods and drinks

Treatment

Although there is no cure for migraines, certain treatments can help reduce the symptoms, including:

• sleeping or lying in a dark room during a migraine
• taking over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen
• taking triptans, which help reverse brain-changes that can trigger migraines
• taking antiemetics to help reduce nausea and vomiting

Viral gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis is the medical term for inflammation and irritation of the gastrointestinal tract. Viral gastroenteritis (VG) is gastroenteritis that occurs as a result of a viral infection.

Many viruses can trigger VG. The most common is norovirus, which can cause a range of symptoms, including:

• nausea
• vomiting
• stomach pain
• diarrhea
• headaches
• body aches
• fever

Persistent diarrhea and vomiting can also lead to dehydration. This may lead to additional symptoms, such as:

• dizziness when standing up
• dry mouth and throat
• reduced urine

Treatment

Viral gastroenteritis usually goes away on its own without medical treatment. Until then, people can take medications to control their diarrhea. Examples include loperamide (Imodium) or bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto Bismol).

People can help prevent dehydration by:

• drinking plenty of water and other clear fluids
• drinking low-sugar fruit juices or sports drinks to help replace lost electrolytes

Contact a doctor if symptoms do not improve within a few days.

Cerebral aneurysm

An aneurysm refers to an enlarged blood vessel. This occurs due to a weakness in the blood vessel wall. An aneurysm that occurs within a blood vessel in the brain is known as a cerebral aneurysm.

A small cerebral aneurysm that does not increase in size might not come with any symptoms. However, larger aneurysms may put pressure on the surrounding nerves or brain tissue, which can trigger the following symptoms:

• pain above and behind the eye
• changes in vision
• a dilated pupil in the eye
• paralysis on one side of the face
• numbness
• weakness

In some cases, an aneurysm may leak or rupture, which requires emergency medical attention. Symptoms to look out for include:

• a sudden, severe, and intense headache
• blurred or double vision
• sensitivity to light
• stiff neck
• nausea
• vomiting
• seizures
• brief or prolonged loss of consciousness
• cardiac arrest

Treatment

According to the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (NINDS), not all aneurysms require treatment. In some cases, a doctor may recommend monitoring them for signs of growth.

NINDS recommend people take the following steps to help reduce the risk of a ruptured aneurysm:

• monitoring and controlling blood pressure
• quitting smoking
• avoiding the use of stimulant drugs

Some people may require surgery to reduce or cut off blood supply to the aneurysm.

Stroke

A stroke is a potentially life threatening condition where the blood supply to part of the brain becomes cut off, which can result in brain cell death. A stroke can occur for the following reasons:

• an artery that supplies blood to the brain becomes blocked
• blood vessel within the brain ruptures

A sudden and severe headache can sometimes be a warning sign of stroke, though it is not a common symptom. In a 2015 study, only 49 out of 263 people who experienced a stroke reported a simultaneous headache.

Besides a headache, other possible stroke symptoms include:

• sudden numbness or weakness in a limb, or on one side of the face
• vision problems in one or both eyes
• difficulty speaking or understanding speech
• confusion
• dizziness
• loss of balance
• lack of coordination
• difficulty walking

Treatment

A stroke is a medical emergency. Without rapid treatment, it may result in severe brain damage or death. A person who shows signs of a stroke should phone for an ambulance immediately if possible. People should also look out for these symptoms in others and seek emergency medical care if they suspect a stroke.

Stroke treatments depend on the underlying cause. Some possible options include:

• Thrombolytics: Medications can help break up blood clots.
• Endovascular procedure: A procedure where a surgeon guides surgical instruments through a tube inserted into a limb to repair a broken blood vessel.
• Surgical treatment: Involves placing a metal clip around a ruptured blood vessel to reduce further bleeding.

Brain tumor

A brain tumor is when a collection of cells within the brain multiply abnormally and uncontrollably.

Doctors classify brain tumors into grades, depending on how fast they grow and how likely they are to grow back after treatment.

Grade 1 and 2 brain tumors are non-cancerous or benign, and slow-growing. Grade 3 and 4 brain tumors are cancerous or malignant. These tumors may originate in the brain or may spread from elsewhere in the body. They are fast-growing and more likely to re-occur following treatment.

Brain tumor symptoms depend partly on the area of the brain that they affect. Some common symptoms include:

• headaches
• dizziness
• seizures
• persistent nausea
• vomiting
• drowsiness and fatigue
• progressive weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
• problems with speech, vision, or memory
• changes in personality or behavior

Treatment

Brain tumor treatments depend on the following factors:

• type, grade, and location of the tumor
• how abnormal the cells are
• how big the tumor is and how far it has spread
• the person’s overall health and fitness

Some possible treatment options include:

• steroids to reduce swelling around the tumor
• antiepileptic medications to control seizures
• pain medications to ease pain
• surgery to remove the tumor
• radiation therapy or chemotherapy to help destroy any abnormal cells

Other possible causes of headaches, dizziness, neck pain, and fatigue include dehydration and anxiety.

Dehydration

Dehydration occurs when the body does not have enough water to function properly. This can result in the following symptoms:

• headaches
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• tiredness
• dry mouth, lips, and eyes
• dark, strong-smelling urine
• reduced urine

Anxiety

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, headaches are a common symptom of anxiety. People with this condition may also experience panic attacks, which can trigger the following physical symptoms:

• heart palpitations
• chest pain or discomfort
• shortness of breath
• sweating
• trembling or shaking
• numbness or tingling sensations
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• nausea

Cervical headaches indicate that there may be an injury in the cervical spine or surrounding soft tissue.

People who experience them may benefit from the following treatments:

• physical therapy to help regain function
• alternative therapies, such as acupuncture
• medications to alleviate pain
• surgery to address serious injuries

Anyone with severe, persistent, or worsening headaches should see a doctor for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

The acronym SNOOP can help people decide when a headache may be serious, which stands for:

• Systemic symptoms:
  • fever
  • persistent vomiting
  • stiff neck
• Neurological symptoms:
  • changes in mood, personality, or behavior
  • confusion
  • memory problems
  • seizures
  • loss of consciousness
  • weakness or paralysis
• Onset: New or sudden onset of headaches.
• Other conditions: A headache that develops following another condition or head injury.
• Prior history: If the headache differs from previous headaches, or they get steadily worse, this could signal a serious issue.

It is not possible to prevent all headaches. However, certain strategies can reduce a person’s risk of developing diseases that may trigger them. These include:

• Following a healthful lifestyle: Exercising regularly and eating a healthful and varied diet can lower the risk of stroke, aneurysm, and other life threatening medical conditions.
• Monitoring headaches: People should keep a diary that records when their headaches occur, as well as their duration and intensity. This will allow them to detect possible headache triggers.
• Managing anxiety and stress: Proper anxiety and stress management may help reduce headaches and other symptoms. People can try relaxation techniques, such as:
  • massage
  • exercise
  • meditation
  • talking therapy
• Managing underlying medical conditions: It is essential that people tend to any underlying medical issues to reduce the risk of serious complications.

Headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and neck pain can be a worrying combination. Various conditions can cause these symptoms, while some are more serious than others. Potentially life threatening triggers include aneurysms, stroke, and brain tumors.

As headaches can indicate serious health issues, people who experience severe, persistent, or worsening headaches should see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Anyone who experiences symptoms of an aneurysm or stroke should seek emergency medical care immediately. Timely treatment can reduce the risk of serious complications, including death.

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.

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Drowsiness, fatigue, headaches – a therapist will help!

Many people, especially with the beginning of autumn, complain of fatigue, drowsiness, headaches and general weakness of the body. Often people do not go to the doctor with such symptoms, thinking that this is seasonal and will “go away on its own”. In fact, contacting a therapist will help identify the true causes of this condition and prescribe a set of procedures to improve the condition of the body. The price of a consultation with a therapist will be fully justified by cheerfulness, good health and joy of life.

What can cause fatigue and drowsiness?

There can be many reasons why people feel generally weak, from lack of vitamins to chronic fatigue syndrome.

What does a general practitioner do if a patient comes to him with such complaints?

• asks the patient about symptoms and general health;
• prescribes additional examinations – tests, blood pressure measurement, etc.;
• , when symptoms of a serious illness are detected, refer to specialized specialists.

If a child has these symptoms, it is very important that he is examined by a pediatrician (children’s therapist) in a timely manner.

In need of urgent medical attention

There are cases when it is especially important to take urgent measures, up to calling an ambulance:

• if drowsiness and fatigue are accompanied by severe headache, loss of orientation in space, nausea and vomiting, scattered consciousness and other similar symptoms that may indicate brain damage – a stroke;
• if severe symptoms occur in pregnant women in the third trimester, as they may be associated with preeclampsia;
• if drowsiness and headache are accompanied by a sharp change in skin color, itching and blurred vision.

When not to worry

Often, fatigue and drowsiness are due to the fact that a person simply leads a wrong lifestyle: little and bad sleep, too much work, not enough time in the fresh air and poor nutrition.

If the symptoms are related to such factors, then our therapist in Pushkin (St. Petersburg) will advise you on how to adjust your daily routine and what to pay attention to.

Appointment with a general practitioner at the MEDA clinic

If you or your loved ones experience increased drowsiness, fatigue, headache and other similar symptoms, you need to consult a general practitioner in Pushkin, St. Petersburg.

Make an appointment at the MEDA clinic through a special form on our website or by calling +7 (812) 459-03-20 or +7 (911) -008-64-34.

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Weakness and dizziness. Reasons for what to do with a sharp weakness.

Gimranov Rinat Fazylzhanovich
Neurologist, neurophysiologist, experience – 33 years;
Professor of Neurology, MD;
Clinic for Rehabilitation Neurology. About the Author

Published: April 3, 2021

Updated: October 25, 2022

Feeling slightly dizzy and tired is a common feeling that almost everyone is familiar with. As a rule, this is a signal that you have survived a long and difficult day and it’s time to relax. But if the head is constantly spinning, and weakness is felt all the time, then the reasons for the manifestation of these symptoms can be dangerous.

The problem is complicated by the fact that such a deterioration in well-being is characteristic of a wide range of diseases. Some of them require immediate hospitalization [1].

If you suddenly feel dizzy and feel weak, you should carefully consider your condition and analyze if there are any other abnormal symptoms. And then see a doctor, because such attacks can be potentially life-threatening.

Article content:

• 1 Dangerous symptoms
• 2 Causes
• 3 Causes
  • 3.1 Infectious diseases of various types
  • 3.2 Disorders of the vestibular apparatus
  • 3.3 Injuries and diseases of the brain
  • 3.4 Neurological diseases of various types 90 006
  • 3.5 Hypothyroidism
  • 3.6 Cardiovascular disease
  • 3.7 Horse racing blood pressure
  • 3.8 Osteochondrosis of the neck
  • 3.9 Diabetes mellitus
• 4 When is fatigue and weakness not a pathology?
• 5 First Aid
• 6 Diagnostics
• 7 Treatment
• 8 List of used literature

Dangerous symptoms

Feel weakness, fatigue and slight dizziness – a natural reaction of the human body after an active day. Mental work, physical training and even outdoor activities lead to the fact that a person exhausts daily energy reserves. However, the very next day, after a good rest, the discomfort stops.

But if the head is constantly spinning, and a person feels weak and unwell, feels that there is no strength, other symptoms are weak or strong, then only a doctor is able to determine what kind of disease this may be.

Vivid additional signs of the development of pathology, requiring immediate treatment to the clinic, are:

1. headaches lasting more than a day;
2. fever;
3. feeling of nausea and vomiting [2];
4. changes in blood pressure;
5. severe decrease in performance;
6. sharp deterioration in intellectual abilities;
7. lethargy, stupefaction;

1. chronization of the condition, situations are dangerous when the ailment does not go away after a long good rest.

Causes

Quite often, patients of the clinic report: “I feel bad, I feel dizzy and weak for the second day or a week.” But each person in this definition will lay different feelings. For some, they are directly related to physical discomfort, while others notice a sharp decrease in mental abilities, a slowdown in work.

Special attention should also be paid to any accompanying symptoms to establish whether the patient has a serious illness or not [3] .

Causes

Quite often, patients of the clinic report: “I feel bad, I feel dizzy and weak for the second day or a week.” But each person in this definition will lay different feelings. For some, they are directly related to physical discomfort, while others notice a sharp decrease in mental abilities, a slowdown in work.

Special attention should also be paid to any accompanying symptoms to establish whether the patient has a serious illness or not [3] .

Let’s take a closer look at situations that can cause such discomfort to a person.

Infectious diseases of various types

Dozens of different types of infections and viruses are known, the infection of which manifests itself in the very first days with dizziness and fatigue, a feeling of sudden weakness. It is extremely important to track other manifestations: changes in body temperature, pressure, headaches and discomfort in the muscles, changes in the skin. This will help to calculate the degree of danger of the patient’s condition and the need for urgent treatment to the hospital.

Disorders of the vestibular apparatus

Temporary irritation or developed diseases of the vestibular apparatus are manifested, including dizziness, fatigue, lack of coordination, unsteadiness when walking. Depending on the specific cause, muscle aches, nausea, and vomiting may occur. At the same time, both Meniere’s disease and excessive regular alcohol consumption can negatively affect the system.

Injuries and diseases of the brain

Including the development of neoplasms. The brain is the most important and at the same time sensitive organ of our body. Even not a strong blow to the head can lead to the gradual development of serious pathologies [4].

The state of the cortex is negatively affected by problems with blood vessels, the occurrence of tumors, intracranial aneurysms.

As a rule, as the tumor grows, it presses on nearby tissues, causing various symptoms.

Including – headache, severe weakness, problems with the perception of space around. The attacks are especially strong in the morning after waking up.

Neurological diseases of various types

The nervous system organizes and coordinates the work of our entire body. Problems that have arisen in different departments can lead to a decrease in the ability to navigate in space, a constant feeling of fatigue and weakness, dry mouth, bouts of pain and other unpleasant manifestations.

Hypothyroidism

The disease affects the functioning of the thyroid gland, weakens it. Thyroxine and triiodothyronine gradually cease to be produced, the correct metabolism is disturbed. A person will constantly experience a feeling of fatigue, weakness, slight dizziness.

Cardiovascular diseases

Directly affect our well-being. Violation of the work of the heart, defects of the organ and blood vessels are not so rare.

Deformation or loss of elasticity of the arteries directly affects the supply of the brain with the necessary amount of blood, and with it nutrients, including oxygen. With disorders in the work of the cardiovascular system, all organs suffer, and the brain in the first place [5].

At first, this is manifested by occasional bouts of dizziness. Later, it can lead to the appearance of chronic diseases and a sharp decrease in mental abilities.

Jumps in blood pressure

Both a sharp increase and a decrease in blood pressure can cause unpleasant symptoms. Both conditions are extremely dangerous. With reduced levels, the brain lacks the necessary oxygen. With numbers above the norm, vascular damage occurs and a negative effect on nearby brain tissues occurs.

Osteochondrosis of the neck

Pathological changes in the vertebrae lead to the fact that nerve endings are subjected to negative influence, pressure. The vessels responsible for supplying the brain with oxygen (vertebral arteries) also suffer, they are pinched. With a long course of the disease, the patient will experience hypoxic encephalopathy: weakness, fatigue throughout the body and dizziness.

Diabetes mellitus

Fluctuations in blood glucose caused by the manifestation of the disease lead to a constant feeling of tired and weak.

Symptoms may persist for weeks even if all the necessary recommendations of doctors are followed. And they get worse when the prescribed treatment is not followed.

For example, when insulin is administered excessively, a dangerous condition occurs – hypoglycemia.

When is fatigue and weakness not a pathology?

Except in cases where poor health is manifested due to a developed disease, it is not uncommon for a person to feel unwell due to the regular negative impact of environmental factors.

Often the causes of dizziness and weakness in the form of small attacks or prolonged sensations for several days are the following factors:

1. Regular overwork. Both physical and intellectual, psycho-emotional.

1. Chronic sleep deprivation. With a lack of time to rest for days, weeks, a person’s sleep is disturbed. The phase responsible for the restoration of psychological and physical resources is disrupted. Because of this, immediately after waking up, he feels tired, dizzy and constantly tired.

1. Anemia, anemia. There are many reasons for this pathology. There is a lack of iron necessary for good health in the blood.

1. Excessive physical fatigue after unusually heavy or prolonged exercise.

1. Drop in blood glucose due to fasting or unbalanced diet. As a rule, it occurs when trying to follow a strict diet.

1. Stressful situations. When from a temporary phenomenon they become permanent, then its symptoms appear in almost any part of the body. And they affect the work of all organs. In particular, the patient will feel depressed, tired, his performance will decrease.

It is extremely dangerous to self-medicate and use only folk remedies for such signs of the disease. The patient may worsen his state of health and lose time, which will lead to the formation of complications of concomitant pathology.

Due to the variety of causes, it is up to a doctor after a careful examination to decide what means and why there is a condition with symptoms of slight dizziness, intense thirst, weakness, body aches, lethargy and occasional difficulty standing all day or several days in a row.

First Aid

If an attack starts suddenly, it is extremely important not to panic, but to know what to do and immediately take the necessary measures to eliminate it. In most cases, you can manage on your own:

• try to calm down;
• take a comfortable position, sit in a relaxed position or lie down;
• drink a glass of cool water;
• find a point on a stationary object and focus your attention, vision on it;
• measure your blood pressure and take medicine if necessary;
• eat something sweet.

If bad health haunts you every day or in the evenings, you constantly have a feeling that you are staggering, weakness, pain in the head, dizziness, then only a medical doctor will tell you what it could be, what the disease is connected with and what to do with this cause. consultation.

If the attack is sudden and accompanied by a speech disorder, clumsiness that suddenly appeared, numbness of the hands and feet, then it is urgent to call an ambulance, describing the symptoms in detail.

Diagnosis

Since such signs can accompany a variety of diseases, the primary examination plays a significant role when contacting a doctor. Due to the accuracy of the information provided by the patient or his relatives, the doctor will be able to identify the problem [6].

After the initial examination, laboratory and hardware tests are prescribed to confirm the conclusion of a neurologist or therapist:

• A set of tests may be prescribed: the level of minerals in the body, the condition of the kidneys, blood composition, liver function indicators, the presence of infection in the body.
• Measurement of blood pressure at rest and after strenuous activity.

• An ECG showing the condition of the heart.
• MRI if there is a suspicion of the development of diseases of the brain or its vessels.
• X-ray examination of the cervical spine.
• Ultrasound, dopplerography of cerebral vessels inside the skull.

After receiving the results, your doctor will refer you to a doctor who deals with the problem.

Treatment

Every person facing poor health is concerned about a number of questions: what to do if often, almost every day, dizziness and weakness appears, what and why does this occur?

It is extremely important to complete the full course of treatment without adding anything to it without the consent of the attending physician. Not canceling or changing drugs and procedures ahead of time, even if you feel better [7].

By deviating from the recommendation, you can provoke a return of the disease. Or make the treatment useless, which will lead to serious complications.

Effectiveness has been proven by combination therapy that combines multidirectional methods:

• Medication and supportive drugs aimed at solving a specific problem. As a rule, nootropics and antidepressants, sedatives and vitamin complexes are prescribed if a serious illness is not detected. Or they prescribe highly specialized drugs that affect the root cause of the disease state.

• Physiotherapy includes a range of procedures that can be prescribed, depending on the specific diagnosis. Additionally, the doctor prescribes a set of physical therapy exercises for the development of balance, gymnastics courses, massages.
• Psychotherapy, if unsatisfactory health is primarily due to mental problems and constant stress.

In severe cases, when serious injuries or neoplasms become the cause of a deterioration in well-being, doctors resort to surgical intervention.