Feeling nauseous with a headache: what it can mean

Migraine often causes throbbing or one-sided head pain with nausea and sensitivity to light or sound, although patterns vary. Dehydration may bring thirst, dark urine, weakness, or dizziness. A common cold, COVID-19, or allergic rhinitis can cause headache with congestion, facial pressure, cough, or fatigue. Chronic sinusitis may cause ongoing nasal symptoms and pressure. Heat exhaustion can combine headache, nausea, sweating, weakness, and light-headedness. Anxiety can produce nausea, muscle tension, rapid breathing, and a tight feeling in the chest. Dengue fever needs medical attention when fever is accompanied by severe headache, marked body aches, rash, or bleeding.

Rest in a cool, quiet, dim room and take small sips of fluid. If you have been sweating, vomiting, or having diarrhoea, ask a pharmacist about an appropriate rehydration drink. Eat a light snack if you can tolerate it, and avoid alcohol. Limit screens and strong smells while nausea is active. Check your temperature and note when the headache began, what it feels like, and any exposure to heat, illness, travel, or new medicines. Use only pain relief that is suitable for you and follow its label.

Get emergency help for a sudden severe headache, new weakness or numbness, trouble speaking, confusion, seizure, fainting, stiff neck, repeated vomiting, vision loss, or a severe headache after a head injury. Seek prompt review for fever with a rash, bleeding, worsening symptoms in heat, or inability to drink. A clinician can assess neurological symptoms, hydration, infection, and medicines.

Does this pattern resemble migraine, infection, dehydration, sinus disease, or another cause? Which symptoms require emergency help? What fluids and pain relief are safe for me? Should I be tested for an infection?