Headache and nausea: Causes, treatment, and prevention Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe What to know about headache and nauseaMedically reviewed by Deena Kuruvilla, MD — By Lana Burgess and Hana Ames — Updated on June 29, 2022Nausea and headaches are very common, and they sometimes occur together. A common cause of headache and nausea is migraine, which can also cause dizziness. This article explores the common causes of both headaches and nausea, and some underlying issues that are less common and more serious. It also discusses treatments and ways to prevent the symptoms. Causes Share on PinterestSergey Filimonov/StockyHeadaches are very common, and most people will experience one from time to time. Nausea sometimes accompanies a headache, and a number of health issues can cause this. Migraine is a common cause of both headache and nausea. According to a 2015 review, around 1 in 7 people in the United States experience migraine every year. A migraine feels like a moderate or severe headache. The pain is often throbbing and located on one side of the head. During a migraine, a person may also experience:nauseavomitingsensitivity to light or sound Other common causes of headache and nausea include:the flua colddehydrationpregnancyfood allergiesexcessive consumption of caffeine, nicotine, or alcohol Types of headaches that can cause nausea Different types of headaches can cause nausea. These include:migraine with auramigraine without auracluster headache Conditions that can cause nausea and headaches Beyond migraine, common causes of both headaches and nausea include:dehydrationthe flu, stomach flu, or common coldstress, depression, or anxietyexcessive use of nicotine, caffeine, or alcoholfood allergiesfood poisoningstrep throattonsillitispremenstrual syndrome (PMS)pregnancy Another common cause of a headache and nausea is low blood sugar, which can result from:not eating enoughdrinking alcohol in excesshormonal deficienciesliver or kidney diseaseoveruse of diabetes medicationscertain medications Other causes of concurrent headaches and nausea are more severe and may require urgent medical treatment. Understanding the full range of causes is essential, as it can enable a person to seek the right treatment in time. More serious causes Headaches and nausea are symptoms of the following severe conditions and injuries:kidney diseasemeningitismalariayellow feverhepatitis Atraumatic brain injuryskull fracturebrain aneurysmbrain tumor Why does migraine cause nausea Migraine is typically associated with nausea, however, the medical community is still unsure why. One explanation is that migraine affects nerve pathways that stimulate the part of the brain that controls vomiting. A 2017 study found that people experiencing migraine with nausea showed activity in the rostral dorsal medullary area of the brain, which likely controls nausea. Another theory relates to serotonin, a chemical in the brain that affects:nauseamoodsocial behaviorappetitedigestionmemorysex drive Research suggests that people with migraine sometimes have reduced serotonin levels, which may also lead to nausea. Treatment Treatment for headaches and nausea depends on the cause. If the cause is a migraine, the following may help:taking pain-relieving medicationlying in a quiet, dark roomlaying a warm cloth on the foreheadputting a cold compress on the back of the necktrying complementary treatments, such as aromatherapy, acupuncture, or acupressuretaking antinausea medicationgetting fresh airtrying meditationsticking to bland foods and small portions Find out about natural remedies for migraine.Share on PinterestIllustration by Joules Garcia When to contact a doctor If a person has a severe, sudden headache and no history of migraine, they should speak with a doctor. Contact a doctor right away if a headache and nausea follow a blow to the head. Also, seek medical attention if headaches grow worse over time or accompany any of the following symptoms:loss of consciousnessblurred visiona fevertrouble speakingfeeling dizzy or confusedhaving a stiff neckvomiting that occurs sporadically for more than 1 daynot urinating for more than 8 hours Prevention It may not always be possible to prevent headaches and nausea. However, the following may help:stopping smokingreducing caffeine and alcohol intakesreducing the effects of stress through mindfulness, meditation, or yogadrinking plenty of wateravoiding foods that have previously triggered a migraine episodeeating a healthy, balanced dietpracticing good hygiene to avoid colds, the flu, or the stomach flutaking plenty of breaks from looking at screensgetting enough exercise Learn more about tips for migraine prevention. Summary Migraine is a common cause of headaches that occur with nausea. Dehydration and low blood sugar are also frequently responsible. Some causes are more serious. Several affect the brain, such as meningitis, brain aneurysms, and tumors. These issues typically feature additional symptoms. Anyone who is worried or unsure about the cause of their headaches and nausea should speak with a doctor. Last medically reviewed on June 29, 2022Headache / MigraineNeurology / NeurosciencePain / Anesthetics 6 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Burch, R. C., et al. (2015). The prevalence and burden of migraine and severe headache in the United States: Updated statistics from government surveillance studies.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25600719Frequently asked questions about migraine symptoms. (2021).https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/migraine-symptoms-faq/Goadsby, P. J., et al. (2017). Pathophysiology of migraine: A disorder of sensory processing.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5539409/Headache: Hope through research. (2022).https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Hope-Through-Research/Headache-Hope-Through-ResearchMigraine. (2022).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/migraine/causes/Ruschel, M. A. P., et al. (2021). Migraine headache.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560787/FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Deena Kuruvilla, MD — By Lana Burgess and Hana Ames — Updated on June 29, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? 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