A headache and nausea after eating are most likely symptoms of a food allergy. Food allergies affect about 8 percent of children and around 4 percent of adults, according to the Mayo Clinic. A food allergy will cause symptoms, such as a sinus headache and nausea within a few minutes after eating the food allergen. Common foods that someone can be allergic to are tree nuts, peanuts, milk, eggs, soy, wheat and fish. Once properly diagnosed, implement an anti-allergy diet to manage the condition. Talk with a medical doctor before modifying your diet.
Food Allergies
Food allergies are a mistake by the immune system. The immune system overreacts to an ingredient found in a specific food and creates a defense system against it, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The defense system includes the production of antibodies that cause cells in the body to produce histamine. Histamine is a chemical in the body that causes increased blood flow to soft tissue, leading to inflammation. Common areas of the body that are affected by increased histamine are the skin, the lungs, the digestive tract and the sinuses.
Symptoms
A sinus headache and nausea are common symptoms of a food allergy, but will be accompanied with other symptoms. Other symptoms may include hives, eczema, asthma, other digestive difficulties and nasal congestion, according to the Mayo Clinic. Other digestive symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, cramping and abdominal pain. The sinus headache will be accompanied with nasal discharge, pressure and sneezing.
Treatment - Diet Modification
Food allergies are not curable and therefore need to be managed through diet. The Cleveland Clinic states that the most effective way to prevent and treat food allergy symptoms is through elimination. Once they are identified, the patient should avoid consuming all products he is allergic to. For example, if someone has been diagnosed with a milk allergy, she can substitute for milk with soy or rice milk.
Considerations
A food allergy is commonly confused with a food intolerance because they have similar symptoms. Food intolerance is the body's inability to produce the needed enzymes to breakdown the proteins in food. A food intolerance can cause nausea after eating, but will cause a headache. This is a digestive issue and does not involve the immune system. Talk with a doctor for a proper diagnosis.
Warning
Consuming foods that you know you are allergic to, increases your risk of suffering anaphylactic shock. Anaphylactic shock is a severe allergic condition that can quickly lead to death, according to the Mayo Clinic.
