One of the most common conditions that affect millions of Americans daily fall into the category of headaches. Because of the varying types of symptoms, the word headache has become a general term that does not begin to encompass the many types prevalent today. One commonality includes the presence of pain in the forehead, back of head, or skull region. Headaches with accompanied nausea commonly references as migraines. According to the National Headache Foundation, nauseating headaches or migraines reports to afflict 29.5 million Americans yearly, with many causes going unknown. However, several causes trigger this type of pain.
Muscle Tension
The human neck contains seven bones or vertebrae that comprise the cervical spine. These bones anchor to the body by way of the occiput or skull. When injury occurs to the neck by means of stress or traumatic force, such as a whiplash injury, the muscles in the neck become tense and taunt resulting in abnormal movement of the vertebrae in the neck and in turn headaches. According to The Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery and Neuroresearc, the medical term for these headaches classifies as cervicogenic. Nauseating headaches commonly associate with the vertebrae in the upper part of the neck---those closest to the occiput. The misalignment of the vertebrae can cause a pinching of the nerves that exit the spine and elicit pain, nausea, vomiting and dizziness.
Viral Infections
Viral infections typically cause pain and associated nausea. Other related symptoms of a viral infection include fever, joint pain, runny nose, and sore throat. Headaches associated with these viral infections relate to the fever and the body's response from the immune system. Inflammation occurs as the first response of the immune system. The symptoms of inflammation include pain, increase in body temperature, nausea and vomiting. These symptoms result from the increase of blood flow that occurs and the release of certain hormones. The National Headache Foundation says that in cases like meningitis, inflammation in the body causes tension or strain on the nerves resulting in pain and nausea.
Allergens
Common allergies that trigger migraines include cigarette smoke, pollen, mold, milk, peanuts, penicillin, and aspirin. Nicotine can stimulate vascular activity in the brain and also constrict the blood vessels in the brain leading to migraines. Reaction of the immune system to other allergens, such as pollen or food, causes the production of certain antibodies and ultimately an inflammatory response in the body which results in headaches and accompanied nausea.
Migraines generally have a familial nature. According to Rockford Neuroscience Center, roughly 90% of sufferers have reported the occurrence of migraines in other family members. Although not classified as a disease, this condition disrupts and complicates the life of the sufferer and his or her family. Anyone suffering from this condition requires proper medical attention.
