A Dual Pinch: Tension Headaches And Nausea

Tension headaches affect most people at some time in their lives. They are recognized by the constant pressure on the temples, neck or back pain, dizziness, and nausea. They can be brought on by stress or bad posture and last anywhere from thirty minutes to several days. While the intensity of the other symptoms are related to the headache, many factors can contribute to tension headache nausea that result in it being worse than it has to be. Nevertheless, repeat sufferers can take precautions against this troublesome symptom by following a few common sense suggestions.

Avoid Making It Worse

People who have conditions requiring medication are the most likely to have exacerbated tension headache nausea. Unfortunately, these conditions often contribute to the stress that gives rise to the tension headaches in the first place. Those who use over-the-counter medicine such as ibuprofen or naproxen to manage pain regularly shouldn't take those medicines for their tension headaches. Not only do they cause stomach problems, they are less effective the more they are taken. Due to their tendency to upset the stomach, they will make the tension headache nausea much worse. If possible, these people should try and find another path to headache relief. People who have frequent indigestion will also have unusually severe nausea with their tension headaches. It is important to avoid spicy or acidic foods between episodes. However, the medicine that is used for heart burn will help with the nausea from a tension headache. Those who get tension headaches and are dealing with a major life problem, such as job loss or family death, should avoid possible stomach aggravations.

Talk To a Doctor

Constant nausea is disruptive to the body's natural rhythm because it alters the schedule of hunger that the stomach expresses. This can lead to skipped meals and weight loss. Weight loss is a problem for people with chronic illnesses more so than others. If severe tension headache nausea persists, than a serious condition, such as a peptic ulcer, could be the problem. Peptic ulcers frequently form under conditions of constant stress, though the exact causes are still debated. When the tension headaches are most likely caused by stress and accompanied by very bad nausea that can't be controlled, an appointment with a doctor should be scheduled. The doctor can determine if an ulcer or other problem is contributing to the tension headache nausea, and may be able to prescribe something to reduce the frequency of the tension headaches. Ultimately, medication is only a short term answer, and the cause of the tension headaches must be addressed.